Denmark

Practically surrounded by water, no one in Denmark is more than 50km from the sea. The country’s cold waters are home to a number of species, including whales, seals and Atlantic sturgeon. On land, few wild and large animals remain throughout the flat countryside - the average elevation is just 30m above sea level - but one can still find hare, deer and a number of bird species.

Land and water pollution are two of Denmark’s most significant environmental problems although much of country’s household and industrial waste is recycled.
Waddensea, reedbeds and mudflats at the foot of Emerslev cliff. Denmark. / ©: WWF-Canon / Hartmut JUNGIUS
Waddensea, reedbeds and mudflats at the foot of Emerslev cliff. Denmark.
© WWF-Canon / Hartmut JUNGIUS

Country Eco-tips

Energy and Water
  • More than 20% of Denmark’s energy needs are produced by wind power.
  • Other alternative-energy sources include the burning of waste products, or biomass, in combined heat and power plants; electricity generated by photovoltaic or solar-energy cells; and geothermal turbines powered by the escape of underground steam.
  • Drinking water is Denmark is generally good.
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Recycling
  • There are recycling bins for everything. Glass wine and juice bottles are recycled in big recycling dumpsters located on just about every city block.
  • Plastic bottles and recyclable cans can be returned to automated receptacles at most grocery stores. The machines will accept all your bottles, calculate the return, and print out a receipt that any of the store’s cashiers can convert into cash for you: refillable glass bottles up to and including 0.5 litre - 1.00 kroner; refillable glass bottles over 0.5 litre - 3 kroner; cans, glass and plastic bottles under 1 litre - 1.00 kroner.
 
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Transport
  • Public transportation in Denmark is reasonably priced, clean and easy to use. The main cities on all islands are connected to the Danish State Railways (DSB) network: Ålborg, Copenhagen, Esbjerg, Herning, Horsens, Odense and Randers.
  • Copenhagen has an integrated bus and urban train network, known as S-tog, as well as a metro.
  • The primary means of transportation in Copenhagen, if not all of Denmark, is the bicycle. Copenhagen has more than 300km of bicycle paths; at several points in the city you can pick up a CityBike.
  • There are frequent ferries from Kalundborg to Århus, Ebeltoft to Sjællands Odde and Rønne to Copenhagen. Local car ferries link most islands to the road network. The principal domestic ferry operator is Scandlines.
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Food
  • Organic food is widely available in many supermarkets and restaurants throughout the country. See here.
  • Together with the Seafood Choices Alliance, WWF has created a guide to tell consumers which seafood to enjoy and which seafood to avoid - www.hvaforenfisk.dk/Menu/WWF%27s+fiskeguide (in Danish).
  • As a major seafood hub, more and more Danish markets are displaying the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) eco-label, indicating that the seafood products come from well-managed fisheries. Look for the label when buying seafood in Denmark - MSC Denmark.
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Green Spots
  • Tivoli Gardens: Located in the heart of Copenhagen, Tivoli is one of Denmark’s most popular tourist destinations, attracting millions each year to its amusement park, gardens, concerts and restaurants.
  • Thy National Park: Covering an area of 24.3 hectares, this park – stretching from Hanstholm to Agger Tange along the West Jutland coast – is known for its sand dunes and lakes, which millions of migratory birds visit each year.
  • Wadden Sea National Park: Covering 500km of coastline between the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark, the Wadden Sea is the largest saltwater tidal area of Europe. In the spring of 2009, the new Wadden Sea National Park in Denmark will stretch from Blåvandshuk in the north to the Tønder marshland in the south.
  • Northeast Greenland National Park: Located in Greenland (Greenland is a self-governing dependency of Denmark), this is the most northern and largest national park in the world, with an area of 972,000km2. The park, home to polar bears, walruses and other Arctic species, encompasses the entire northeastern coastline and interior sections of Greenland.
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Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the above information. However, WWF makes no warranties, expressed or implied, regarding errors or omissions and assumes no legal liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from its use.

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