Denmark's National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2024

1. Chapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Foreword by the Minister

2. Chapter 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Global Context – UN Nature and Biodiversity Targets and Goals for 2030 and 2050 2 . 1 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework towards 2050 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 2 . 2 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework towards 2030 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 2 . 3 The Danish Plan for Biodiversity: A follow-up on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

3. Chapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 More and Better Nature 3 . 1 Land, Sea and Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 3 . 2 Species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 3 . 3 Pollution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 3 . 4 Climate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

4. Chapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Sectoral Integration of Nature and Biodiversity 4 . 1 Circular economy, green public procurement, and waste . . . . . . 16 4 . 2 Agriculture, forestry and fishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 4 . 3 Cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 4 . 4 Business and Biodiversity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 4 . 5 Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 4 . 6 Subsidies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

5. Chapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Global Action 5 . 1 Danish green aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Annex 1: The 23 Global Targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework for 2030 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Annex 2: Visual Overview of Denmark’s Contribution to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 2 Ministry of Green Transition

1. Chapter Foreword by the Minister Nature on our planet is under pressure. Huge pressure. expansion of wind energy at sea, and the balancing of We are witnessing how species are dying at a pace that the many interests in the use of the sea area. In total, has not been matched since the extinction of the dino- 31.7 per cent of the Danish sea is protected. With the saurs. Here at home, we can see how migratory birds, agreement, six per cent of the Danish marine area is which have been flying past here every year, are sud- now strictly protected, and by 2030 this figure will rise denly dwindling in number, or disappearing completely. to 10 per cent. Butterfly species are vanishing, and fish such as cod can no longer be found Denmark’s interior waters, while the If we are to succeed, it requires that we all contribute stock in the Baltic Sea has been forced right down to and work for our nature. Because it is a joint project. the bottom. There is reason to be concerned. But the We must dare to create the changes in the landscape good news is that there’s still something we can do. and seize the opportunities for the earth to return to a wild nature. Therefore, many farmers henceforth will be For decades, nature in Denmark has had to give way nature managers, not only of cultivated land but also of to agriculture. It has brought nature to its knees, and natural areas and forests. it’s not just a challenge for Denmark, but for the whole of Europe. We’ve seen how this has led to conflicts bet- We do not reach the goals alone. There is a need for ween farmers and environment organisations. international focus and cooperation to achieve the goals in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Denmark has successfully brought the parties together, Framework. Denmark fully supports the UN’s global and concluded a historic green agreement. The agre- vision for 2050 for nature and biodiversity, and the 23 ement on a Green Denmark establishes a framework targets to be reached by 2030. We have a long and for a new green map of Denmark, to improve conditi- tough journey ahead of us. The Danish National Plan ons within nature and biodiversity with significant more for Biodiversity shows the Danish contribution to resto- space for nature to unfold and considerably more pro- ration, protection and more space for our nature and tected nature areas. biodiversity. The overall goal for the government and the parties is to create more and better nature, several connected nature areas and to restore nature and biodiversity, at Ministry of Green Transition, October 2024 the same time as we create a sustainable transforma- tion of the agriculture sector. Jeppe Bruus At least 20 per cent of Denmark’s total area must be pro- tected and with the Agreement on a Green Denmark we will change the land use, by reducing agricultural use, by expanding forests or by converting areas to bogs or meadows. By 2030, 15 per cent of the existing agricultural area, are expected to change. 140,000 hec- tares of carbon-rich soils will be removed before 2030, and 250,000 hectares of new forest will be laid before 2045, of which 100.000 hectares of the new forests will be untouched, with no human interactions. For this a new Green Area Fund of approx. DKK 40 billion will be established. Denmark must also reach targets at sea. The Agreement on a new Danish Maritime Spatial Plan on 7 June 2023 has enabled all parties in the Danish Parliament to con- tribute to increased nature protection at sea, the future Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 3 Ministry of Green Transition

2. Chapter 2 Global Context – UN Nature and Biodiversity Targets and Goals for 2030 and 2050 2 . 1 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework towards 2050 The vision of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework is that by 2050, nature and biodiversity will be valued, preserved, restored and exploited wisely, ensuring the maintenance of ecosystem services, a healthy planet, and the supply of essential goods for all people. • By 2050, sufficient funds for implementation, inclu- The four overarching goals of the Kunming-Montreal ding financial resources, capacity building, technical Global Biodiversity Framework: and scientific cooperation, and access to and trans- • By 2050, the integrity and connectivity of all eco- fer of technology, shall be ensured for full implemen- systems shall be maintained, improved or restored. tation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity The area of natural ecosystems shall be increased Framework. This must be done for all parties, in by 2050. The human-induced extinction of known particular the least developed countries and small endangered species shall be curbed, and by 2050 island developing states, as well as countries with the extinction rate and risks for all species shall be economies in transition, with the aim of gradually reduced by a factor of 10. The spread of wild spe- closing the global financial gap of USD 700 billion cies shall be increased to healthy and robust levels, annually. Finally, it is part of the goal that financial while genetic diversity is preserved within wild and flows should be gradually adapted to the Kunming- domesticated species, and their adaptive potential is Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework’s vision tow- ensured (Goal A). ards 2050 (Goal D). • By 2050, sustainable exploitation and nature’s con- tribution to humans through ecosystem functions 2 . 2 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity and services shall be valued, preserved and pro- Framework towards 2030 moted. Declining ecosystem functions and services En route towards the overall goals (A–D), the agreement shall be reinvigorated in order to ensure sustainable contains 23 action-oriented, global targets, to be achie- development by 2050, for the benefit of present ved at global level. All countries that have acceded to and future generations (Goal B). the agreement contribute in accordance with national • By 2050, the monetary and non-monetary bene- conditions, priorities and capacities. The goals can be fits of using genetic resources and digital sequence read in full in Annex 1. information on genetic resources, including those for traditional knowledge, shall be shared fairly and, The 23 global targets can be broken down into the fol- where relevant, with indigenous peoples and local lowing three main headings, which are used as a struc- communities. In addition, the goal aims to increase ture for the Danish Plan: monetary and non-monetary benefits by 2050, • More and better nature while securing and adequately protecting traditional • Sectorial integration of nature and biodiversity knowledge. This will help to promote the conserva- tion and sustainable use of biodiversity in accor- • International initiatives dance with international agreements on access to and exploitation of genetic resources (Goal C). A number of the 23 global targets can be linked to each heading, as illustrated below. Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 4 Ministry of Green Transition 11) Restore and rein- 1) All areas under spa- force nature’s contribu- 9) Sustainable manage- tial planning 2) 30% of degraded tion to humans ment of wildlife ecosystems restored 8) Minimise the impact 3) Beskyt 30% af land – og of climate change on More and better nature havarealet. biodiversity 7) Reduce pollu- 4) Stop human-indu- tion from all sources ced extinction of end- to levels that do not 6) Reduce the 5) Stop unsustainable angered species harm biodiversity spread of invasive trade and exploitation species by at least 50% of wildlife by 2030 Figure 1. More and better nature 10) Sustainable 21) Secure data and management of agricul- 12) Increase area, qua- accessible biodiversity ture, aquaculture, fisheries lity and access to urban knowledge for all and forestry green areas 18) Phase out harmful and 13) Fair and equitable phase in positive incentives and sharing and use of genetic Sectorial integration of subsidies for biodiversity resources nature and biodiversity 17) Strengthen the capa- 14) Integrate biodiver- city and implementation of sity into all policies and biosecurity measures 15) Companies to legislation 16) Sustainable con- report on activities that sumption and halving affect and are affected by food waste Figure2. Sectorial integration of biodiversity nature and biodiversity 2 . 3 The Danish Plan for Biodiversity: A follow-up 19) Increase fun- on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity ding from all sources, Framework including to developing The Danish Plan describes initiatives1 that contribute to countries the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework’s 23global targets for 2030. All 23 targets appear in their full text in Annex 1. 20) Strengthen 23) Secure gen- The Danish Plan is, as stated above, structured on three capacity buil- International der-responsive overarching themes: more and better nature (Chapter ding, techno- / Global initiatives approach to biodi- 3), sectoral integration of nature and biodiversity logy transfer and versity measures (Chapter 4), and international initiatives (Chapter 5). cooperation Each theme is linked to a number of initiatives, each 22) Ensure inclu- of which contributes to one or more of the Kunming- sive participation Montreal Biodiversity Framework targets. An overview of indigenous peop- of this connectivity is provided in Annex 2. les, girls, youth and 1 Initiatives and activities are subject to the rule that the Figure 3. International women. protection of areas used by the Danish Armed Forces may be changed initiatives if this should prove necessary for the Armed Forces’ task solution. Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 5 Ministry of Green Transition

3. Chapter More and Better Nature When it comes to more and better nature in Denmark, protected sea area, of which 4 per cent will be strictly the government’s focus is on larger natural areas and protected. The reported areas consist of areas protec- enhancing the quality of the natural areas. ted under the Danish Nature Conservation Act, protec- ted areas, designated Natura 2000 areas, and designa- This chapter looks at the Danish initiatives that will ted marine strategy areas. In the first phase, Denmark contribute to the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity will add more marine areas to the report, as decided Frameworkglobal target 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 11. These in the agreement on the Maritime Spatial Plan of 7th global targets cover spatial planning, recovery and con- June 2023, as well as the marine bird protection area, servation of nature, protection of species, reduction of which was designated in September 2023. The tripar- invasive species, reduction of pollution, and minimisa- tite Agreement on a Green Denmark includes an objec- tion of the impact of climate change. tive to make at least 20 per cent of Denmark’s land area protected nature. This chapter deals with the themes: land, sea and water, species, pollution and climate. The theme land, sea and Natura 2000 areas water is covered by global targets 1, 2 and 3, which relate The Natura 2000 areas contain some of the best to spatial planning, increased restoration, and improved nature in Denmark, and are designated to protect habi- nature protection. The theme species is covered by glo- tats and species that are critically endangered, vulne- bal targets 4, 5, 6 and 9, which deal with the protection rable or characteristic in the EU. To facilitate nature of wild and endangered species, and also the reduction management, the government is drawing up plans for of invasive species that can threaten both nature and these areas, with targets for each designated area, and indigenous species. The theme pollution is covered by a programme of actions. In the period 2022-2027, spe- global targets 7 and 11, which aim to reduce pollution. cial emphasis is placed on ensuring synergies between The theme climate is covered by global target 8, which commitments and other launched initiatives, such as will minimise the impact of climate change. water area planning, climate carbon-rich soil removal, and the Nature and Biodiversity Package. The Natura 3 . 1 Land, Sea and Water 2000 plans provide for DKK 1.9 billion to be allocated The key targets for ensuring more and better nature for the initiative in the period 2022-2027. Money has globally are targets 1, 2 and 3, which require all areas to been set aside for nature conservation, for example, to be under spatial planning, 30 per cent of degraded eco- protect the biodiversity of forests and combat invasive systems to be restored, and 30 per cent of land areas, species. including inland water, and sea areas to be protected. The Nature Restoration Law The following contains an overview of the most impor- The purpose of the Nature Restoration Law is to reverse tant initiatives that contribute to the global targets for the development of biodiversity by initiating recovery more and better nature. measures, which, combined, shall cover at least 20 per cent of EU land and sea areas by 2030, and all ecosy- The overall contribution of an initiative to one or more stems that need to be recovered by 2050. EU member of the global targets can be seen in Annex 2. states are obliged to prevent significant degradation of a number of natural areas on land and at sea. The Protected areas and regulation also sets requirements to safeguard nature the EU biodiversity strategy 2030 and biodiversity in cities, agricultural land, waterways In order to meet the EU’s target of 30 per cent protec- and forestry. The government will draw up a national ted and 10 per cent strictly protected areas on land and recovery plan to implement the requirements of the at sea by 2030, the government has reported to the EU regulation. that the country is making a provisional contribution of 15 per cent of protected land area and 29 per cent of Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 6 Ministry of Green Transition Maritime Strategy and Action Programme 2024 The EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive of 2008 and the Danish Marine Strategy Act of 2010 provide a framework for achieving a good environmental sta- tus of the marine ecosystemenvironment in Denmark in respect of biodiversity, non-indigenous species, marine networks, commercially exploited fish stocks, discharge of nutrients, the seabed, hydrographic chan- ges, pollutants, marine waste, and underwater noise. Environmental targets have been set in Denmark in all of these areas, with a view to achieving a good environ- mental status. The environmental targets are binding on the authorities. The Marine Strategy Action Programme, published in 2024, lists more than 100 different actions, including the designation of strictly protected areas and initiati- ves for marine nature restoration, such as the establis- hment of stone reefs, which contribute directly or indi- rectly to the achievement of Denmark’s environmental targets in each area. In addition, the Action Programme includes River Basin Management Plans, the Agreement on Agriculture, Natura 2000 plans, and giving greater consideration to nature and the environment by disposing of dredge materials and reducing the discharge of unpurified wastewater. Agreement on a Maritime Spatial Plan An agreement on a new Danish Maritime Spatial Plan was reached in June 2023 and enabled all parties of the Danish Parliament to secure more nature protection at sea. Revisions to the Danish Maritime Spatial Plan were made in June 2024, and are valid for ten years from the date of issue. In total, more than 30 per cent of nature is planned to be protected, and the proportion of strictly protected marine areas will be gradually increased from around 4 per cent of the marine area in the first plan to 6 per cent in the revised plan, which will increase to 8 per cent of the area in 2028 and 10 per cent in 2030. The Marine Strategy places restrictions on the strictly protected areas via the Action Programme. Among other things, fishing, including bottom trawling and the use of other tools, raw material extraction, disposal of dredge soil, and renewable energy will be banned in the areas. Marine nature fund Thanks to a broad political agreement on 6 GW of sea wind and the Bornholm Energy Island of 30 May 2023, DKK 500 million have been allocated to a marine nature fund for 2024-2030. This will contribute to the restora- tion of marine nature and biodiversity, and increase knowledge about the environmental and natural effe- cts of expanding renewable energy in the sea. If the sea wind tenders generate more revenues than expected, an additional amount of up to DKK 350 million will be Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 7 Ministry of Green Transition earmarked for a marine nature fund. Moreover, options potential natural values, and describe how the quality of are being explored for further funding, including fun- nature can be enhanced. On this basis, the national park ding from private actors. plan sets targets for the national park, and describes how the targets can be achieved. In order to implement National Marine Parks the national park plan, the national park fund may enter It has been decided that two national marine parks into voluntary agreements on nature protection, nature should be established in Lillebælt and Øresund. The conservation, operation, nature restoration, strengthe- funds allocated for this will be spent on nature recovery, ning of cultural historical values, and public access. and on making knowledge of the marine environment more accessible to the public. Untouched forest The government will establish 75,000 hectares of Restoration of rock reefs untouched forest in Denmark. An untouched forest is The government is implementing the restoration a forest where commercial forestry with timber produc- of stone reefs in the sea at six locations in Øresund, tion has been ceased, and over time acquires many old Lillebælt, Kattegat and Roskilde Fjord. Reef restoration trees, dead trunks and an extensive biodiversity. The will enhance marine biodiversity, as reefs provide habi- establishment of untouched forests provides space for tats for seaweed, bottom feeders and fish such as cod new habitats for birds, insects, mushrooms, mosses and eel, thereby improving conditions for marine mam- and plants. It has been decided that around 70,000 mals as well. hectares will be planted in the state forests. The remai- ning approx. 5,000 hectares are located on municipal National Nature Reserves and private land. The government will implement the 15 approved nati- onal nature reserves, and it has been decided in the Agreement on a Green Denmark to establish five further national nature reserves. These reserves will enhance the nature and biodiversity of the areas by allowing for the establishment of larger connected natural areas, where nature will have greater scope to develop on its own terms than it currently has. There will be no farming or forestry, and the forest will remain untouched. Attempts will be made to recreate the natural hydrology of the areas, so that small lakes, water holes and mosses will return to the landscape. The nature reserves can be home to large grazing ani- mals, which will help to create the basis for a wilder nature. The national nature reserves meet four out of five expert recommendations for restoring biodiversity on land in Denmark: 1) establishing more self-managing natural areas; 2) recovery of natural hydrology; 3) plan- ting of untouched forests; and 4) recovery of key spe- cies, e.g. population by grazing animals. National parks There are five national parks in Denmark. A national park is an area that is of national or international impor- tance due to its natural and landscape values. The natio- nal parks have ten broad objectives under the National Parks Act. These cover concern for nature, landscape, geology, and cultural history, and also research, facili- tation and promotion of development for the benefit of local communities, including the business commu- nity. The government will take steps to ensure that up to three additional national parks can be designated, to create large connected natural areas, where nature is given priority. A national park fund is set up for each national park that prepares a plan for its establishment and develop- ment. The plan should give an account of current and Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 8 Ministry of Land, Sea and Water Green Transition Initiative Significant inputs into the initiative Natura 2000 areas • Plans have been prepared for the period 2022-2027 for all Natura 2000 areas, focusing on ensuring synergy with other commitments, such as water area planning. The Nature Restora- tion Law • The Danish government will prepare a Danish national restoration plan to meet the objectives of the Regulation. Maritime Strategy and Action Pro- • The action programme includes more than 100 different actions that contribute to a better gramme 2024 marine environment, including: • Designation and management of general and strictly protected marine areas. • Actions for marine nature restoration – e.g. establishment of stone reefs. The Agreement of the Danish Maritime • More than 30% of nature will be general protected nature, with an increase to 10% of strictly pro- Spatial Plan tected areas by 2030. Marine nature fund • DKK 500 million have been allocated for the period 2024-2030 to a marine nature fund, which will be used for a cost-effective recovery of marine nature and marine biodiversity. National marine parks • It has been decided to establish two national marine parks in Lillebælt and Øresund. The funds (DKK 10 mil.) will be spent on nature recovery and making the public more aware. Restoration of rock reefs • Stone reefs are being restored in the sea at six locations in Øresund, and Lillebælt, Kattegat and Roskilde Fjord. • In 2023 three stone reefs were established in Roskilde Fjord. National Nature Reserves • It has been decided to set up 15 new national nature reserves. Up to five further areas can also be designated. • The reserves will restore land biodiversity by: 1) establishing more self-managing natural areas; 2) recovering natural hydrology, 3) planting untouched forest, 4) recovering key species, e.g. populating grazing animals. National parks • Five national parks have been established • For each national park a national park fund is set up, which prepares an establishment and devel- opment plan for the park. Work is underway to designate up to three additional national parks to create large connected natural areas Untouched forest • Almost 75,000 hectares of untouched forest have been designated, where nature and biodiver- sity are given priority. Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 9 Ministry of Green Transition 3 . 2 Species The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework sets targets for species. Target 4 is to manage known endangered species, and ensure that critically endan- gered species are protected and preserved. Global tar- get 5 deals with the exploitation of and trade in wild- life species, which shall be sustainable, safe and legal. Global target 6 is to eliminate, minimise or mitigate the impact of invasive species on biodiversity by at least 50 per cent. Global target 9 requires the management of wildlife species to be sustainable, and thereby pro- vide social, economic and environmental benefits for people. What these targets have in common is that they deal with the protection of wild and endangered species, and that invasive species can threaten both ecosy- stems and indigenous species. Approximately 35,000 indigenous or imported species of plants and animals have been registered in Denmark. The Danish Red List includes 13,898 species of mus- hrooms, animals and plants that have been assessed in accordance with the international Red List criteria approved by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). According to the latest Danish Red List (2023), 41.3% of the assessed species are conside- red red-listed and in danger of extinction. 92 wildlife reserves have been established in Denmark, where human activities, such as hunting, are restricted. Management and action plans have also been drawn up, for example, for otters, beavers, dormice, guinea pigs, spotted seals and grey seals. Management plans form a framework for how particular species or groups of species should be protected, regulated or exploited, whereby the obligations under EU nature protection directives are used as a basis. The following contains an overview of the most impor- tant initiatives that contribute to the global targets for species and nature, and to the prevention and manage- ment of invasive species. The overall contribution of an initiative to one or more of the global targets can be seen in Annex 2. Strategy for managing endangered and red-listed species A strategy for the management of endangered and red-listed species was published in 2023. Indigenous species in Denmark are generally threatened by frag- mentation of habitats, climate change, environmen- tal pollution, and the spread of invasive species. For some species, the risk is so high that special initiatives are needed. A national strategy for the management of endangered and red-listed species will help to establish a framework for species management, and improve the status of endangered and red-listed species. The Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 10 Ministry of Green Transition Species strategy focuses on measures that can ensure grea- ter coherence in existing management. The strategy Initiative Significant inputs into the initiative highlights the following management measures: 1) the Strategy for mana- The strategy focuses on measures that can opportunities for a dialogue forum with experts and ging endangered ensure greater coherence in the existing stakeholders; 2) the need to revise the conservation and red-listed spe- management, and shall also look into: status of individual species; 3) the possibility of giving cies greater consideration to dwelling places and habitats in 1) the opportunities for a dialogue forum environmental assessments; 4) the possibility of increa- with experts and stakeholders; sing data collection with the assistance of the public; 2) the need to revise the protection status of 5) the possibility of a joint-disciplinary biodiversity plat- individual species; form for stakeholders; and 6) the updating of an action plan for invasive species. 3) the possibility of giving greater consi- deration to dwelling places and habitats in Combating wildlife crime environmental assessments; The government will intensify efforts to combat wild- 4) the possibility of increasing data collec- life crime in order to protect wildlife and protected ani- tion with the assistance of the public; mals. This will be done with a legislative proposal that involves three specific measures: rules stipulating that 5) the possibility of a joint-disciplinary biodi- serious wildlife crime shall be a particularly aggravating versity platform for stakeholders, and circumstance in the imposition of penalties; fixed fines 6) the updating of an action plan for invasive for wildlife crime; and increased use of the option of species. revoking hunting licences in the event of wildlife crime. This will help prevent wildlife crime and clarify the con- Strategy for invasive Action plan against invasive non-indigenous sequences of wildlife crime. species species from 2017, with a focus on preven- tion as well as early detection and mana- Strategy for invasive species gement of the most problematic invasive In 2017, Denmark adopted an action plan to control non-indigenous species. invasive non-indigenous species. It lists 36 specific mea- Inter alia, an online reporting portal has been sures for the control of invasive non-indigenous spe- created for invasive non-indigenous species. cies, including the eradication of new invasive species before they establish themselves in Denmark. There is also an online reporting portal for invasive non-indi- genous species, which allows all nature users to record observations of invasive non-indigenous species. Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 11 Ministry of Green Transition 3 . 3 Pollution a level that is in line with the targets of the River Basin The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiersity Framework Management Plans. Denmark has also implemented target 7 deals with reducing pollution from all sources. the Nitrates Directive, which limits and regulates the Pollution from all sources shall be reduced to levels total amount of nitrogen that farms may use on their that are not harmful to biodiversity by 2030 at the land. latest. The target includes washing out excess nutri- ents, halving the risks from pesticides and particularly Pesticide strategy 2022-2026 hazardous chemicals, as well as preventing, reducing A political agreement has been reached that only few and eliminating plastic pollution at global level. The glo- pesticides should be used, which are as harmless as bal target 11 aims to restore and enhance nature’s contri- possible, equivalent to a halving of the use compared bution, for instance, ecosystem functions and services, with the level in 2011. This will be done, inter alia, by such as air, water, climate, soil, pollination, and reducing making the most harmful pesticides more expensive the risk of disease. than those that cause less harm. The strategy reinforces the protection of the Danish environment and nature – Pollution risks exist in our surroundings, and can come including the aquatic environment, groundwater and from different sources. Not all chemicals are harmful, biodiversity – as well as human health. As part of the but the production and consumption of harmful chemi- pesticide strategy, the use of glyphosate as a harvest cals can affect people’s health and the environment, aid in crops for feed and foodstuffs has been banned. can block the circular economy, and can impact on the climate, biodiversity, ecosystems and ecosystem Chemicals initiative 2022-2025 functions. The EU – and thus Denmark – has chemicals regulati- ons that are amongst the most ambitious in the world. The aquatic environment – and the associated biodiver- With the EU’s chemicals strategy for sustainability, the sity – is affected by pollution. There is oxygen depletion Commission has announced the launch of over 50 in many coastal waters, and residues of pesticides can further initiatives, including those concerning com- be found in drinking water drilling. Plastic pollution is bined effects and a special initiative to combat online also a source of increasing concern, especially at glo- sales of products from countries outside the EU, a safe- bal level. and-sustainable-by-design approach, and more bans on the use of harmful chemicals and deliberately added The following contains an overview of the most impor- microplastics. tant initiatives that contribute to the global targets for pollution. In Denmark, broad political consensus has been rea- ched on a chemical initiative which aims to conti- The overall contribution of an initiative to one or more nuously prevent and minimise the occurrence of harm- of the global targets can be seen in Annex 2. ful substances in the environment and people. River Basin Management Plans 2021-2027 Micro-pollutants, including PFAS The EU Water Framework Directive states that Denmark Pollutants such as PFAS and medication residues are shall ensure a good ecological status for the Danish discharged from Danish purifying plants every year. aquatic environment by 2027, thereby also strengthe- There are also documented effects of drug residues on ning biodiversity. marine wildlife. In addition, there is a risk of the devel- opment and spread of resistant microorganisms, inclu- The Ministry of Environment published the 2021-2027 ding antibiotic-resistant bacteria, when wastewater is River Basin Management Plans in 2023. The River discharged with chemical and medicinal residues. Basin Management Plans include actions to ensure that Denmark complies with the EU Water Framework The Danish government will look at the requirements Directive by implementing measures that can improve for wastewater treatment to minimise the spread of the condition of Danish water courses, lakes, coastal environmentally harmful substances - including PFOS/ waters and groundwater. Moreover, efforts are being PFAS. Denmark has therefore endorsed the requirement made to reduce the presence of environmentally of the EU’s upcoming Urban Waste-Water Treatment hazardous pollutants in the aquatic environment. The Directive that 80 per cent of cosmetic and pharmaceu- plans include measures to reduce nitrogen emissi- tical residues should be removed through purification. ons by 10,400 tonnes per year, measures for a total of The challenge calls for a concerted, cross-cutting effort 5,500 km of waterways, about 800 ha of phosphorus to deter, contain and clean up PFAS pollution. Therefore, wetlands, the restoration of 41 lakes, and a number of the government will present a comprehensive action development initiatives. The plans will be reviewed in plan for PFAS. Moreover, Denmark has been collabora- 2024, when measures will be determined for the remai- ting with other countries on an initiative to completely ning need to act. This means, inter alia, that dischar- eliminate the use of all PFAS substances in the EU. ges of nutrients from agriculture must be reduced to Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 12 Ministry of Green Transition National biocidal initiative (2022-2025) recycled in the EU. Regulation that addresses the entire We encounter biocides, designed to combat unwan- value chain has therefore been adopted, and is also ted organisms, in many places in our day-to-day life. A implemented in Denmark. This regulation will reduce broad political agreement reached in 2022 will, among consumption and improve the reuse and recycling of other things, promote the sustainable use of biocides, plastic, including plastic used in packaging and sing- so that consumption is limited to what is necessary - le-use packaging. It will also gradually ban the export of in particular through a restrictive approach in the EU. plastic waste out of the EU, and prohibit the use of deli- The agreement also strengthens consumer protection berately added microplastics in products. against risks from biocides, for example, by establishing an authorisation scheme for professional insecticides, The government has also presented a plastics action which use chemical biocides for pest control in private plan, with initiatives to address the entire value chain, homes. and a tax on plastic bags has been introduced. At a glo- bal level, a convention on plastics is being negotiated. Historical pollution As part of the governmental platform, it has also been The ten sites of historical pollution are among the decided that the plastics action plan should be upda- largest and most complex areas of soil pollution in ted in order to minimise the occurrence of plastics in Denmark, and pose a risk to either surface water or Danish nature. drinking water. Treatment has begun on nine of the ten historical pollution sites. Surveys of the last histori- cal pollution site, located in an area where activity is still on-going, are expected to begin in 2026. It is the objec- tive that clearance of four of the historical pollution sites will be started by mid-2026. Air pollution Pollution can spread through the air over thousands of kilometers, and is therefore a cross-border problem. Air pollution affects human health, and can have negative consequences for nature. The EU Ambient Air Quality Directive sets limits on the amount of air pollution that can be deposited on nature. Many different types of pollutants can also be carried in the air. For example, nitrogen from nitrogen oxides and ammonia affect nature and the aquatic environment by contributing to acidification and by supplying nutrients to, e.g., nutri- ent-poor natural areas via the air, thereby reducing spe- cies richness. The permitted emissions of air pollution from industry, ships, cars, agriculture, power plants and furnaces are regulated in order to reduce pollution. The international Air Convention (CLRTAP) and the EU National Emissions Ceilings Directive set limits on how much air pollution each country may emit, and in this way the cross-bor- der effects are addressed. In Denmark, the many international regulations are supplemented with further initiatives to improve air quality. For example, clean-air zones have been intro- duced, where particulate filters are required on diesel cars in the four largest cities in the country. There are also requirements for furnaces that change ownership, and taxes on emissions of particles, sulphur and nitro- gen, etc. Plastics Action Plan The EU’s plastic strategy aims to transform the way plastic products are designed, produced, used and Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 13 Ministry of Green Transition Pollution Initiative Significant inputs into the initiative River Basin Mana- • Reduce nitrogen emissions by 10,400 tonnes per year gement Plans 2021-2027 • Actions for a total of 5,500 km of waterways • Approx. 800 ha of phosphorus wetlands • Restoration of 41 lakes Pesticide strategy • Political agreement on halving the use of pesticides compared with 2011. 2022-2026 • The use of glyphosate as a harvest aid banned in crops for food and feed. Chemicals initia- • Implementation of over 50 initiatives, including those on combined effects, online sales of pro- tive 2022-2025 ducts from countries outside the EU, a safe-and sustainable-by-design approach, more bans on the use of harmful chemicals and deliberately added microplastics. Micro-pollutants, • PFAS Action Plan focusing on deterring, containing and cleaning up PFAS contamination, as well including PFAS as banning and phasing out PFAS in products and industry. National biocidal • Information on safe use of biocides initiative • Guidance for companies • Targeted and effective control of biocides Historical pollu- • Treat all historical pollution sites tion Air pollution • Introduction of clean-air zones in larger cities. As of 1 October 2023, diesel passenger cars are not allowed to drive into clean-air zones without a particulate filter or minimum euro standard 5. • Ownership change scheme for furnaces, which means that old furnaces in use from before 2003 are scrapped or replaced with a new one when ownership changes. Plastics Action • Separate 80% of plastic waste from incineration by 2030 Plan • Establishment of a national plastic centre – focal point of the Danish plastic initiative • Expansion of the deposit and return system, to include deposit on juice and cordial • Introduction of extended manufacturer responsibility for (plastic) packaging and single-use pla- stic products • National information campaign to reduce waste in nature • Ban on giving out free carrier bags with handles • Ban on adding microplastics to cosmetic products Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 14 Ministry of Green Transition 3 . 4 Climate Global target 8 of the Kunming-Montreal Global The Climate Act commits Denmark to reduce green- Biodiversity Framework aims to minimise climate house gas emissions in 2030 by 70%, compared with change and the effects of marine acidification on bio- 1990 levels. The Act also stipulates that Denmark shall diversity through greenhouse gas reductions, climate be a climate-neutral society by 2050 at the latest, refer- adaptation, nature-based solutions, and ecosystem-ba- ring to the Paris Agreement target of limiting global sed approaches. temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The Danish government has set ambitious climate tar- Forest Plan gets for the country. Among other things, this means The government will present an ambitious Forest Plan that Denmark must meet its target of reducing gre- with a goal of establishing 250,000 hectares of new enhouse gas emissions by 70 per cent, which will be forest in Denmark. Establishing new forests contributes achieved, e.g., by meeting reduction targets in the significantly to climate neutrality and net negative emis- agricultural and forestry sector. sions in the long term. The Forest Plan will ensure the greatest possible synergy between the many purposes In 2019, Denmark joined the EU’s long-term strategy to of new forests, identify key actors and existing funds, be climate-neutral by 2050, including the ‘Fit for 55’ cli- and factor in possible means of action. mate law, which makes it a legal obligation to reach the climate goal of reducing EU emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030. Healthy ecosystems help to regulate the climate, and Climate reducing climate change is therefore beneficial to bio- diversity. In 2021, the Danish Climate Act was adopted Initiative Significant inputs into the for the purpose of reducing Denmark’s greenhouse initiative gas emissions by 2030 and 2050. At the same time, Denmark has joined the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030, which sets targets within the EU, such as the protection The Cli- Reduction of greenhouse and restoration of wetlands, turf mosses and coastal mate Act gas emissions by 50-54 ecosystems, and ensuring the sustainable manage- per cent by 2025, compa- ment of forests, pasture and agricultural land. These are red with 1990. vital elements of climate adaptation. Similarly, one of the objectives of the EU Nature Restoration Law is to contri- Reduction of greenhouse bute to the EU’s climate targets. gas emissions by 70 per cent by 2030, compared The following contains an overview of the most impor- with 1990. tant initiatives that contribute to the global target for Denmark must be clima- minimising climate change and the effects of marine te-neutral by 2050 at the acidification on biodiversity. latest. The overall contribution of an initiative to one or more of the global targets can be seen in Annex 2. Forest Establishment of 250,000 Plan hectares of new forest in The Climate Act Denmark for the purpose Climate change is a major threat to the world’s biodi- of achieving climate neu- versity and ecosystems. With a temperature rise of trality by 2050, inter alia. 1.5 degrees above the pre-industrial level, up to 14 per cent of the species that live on land are at risk of extinc- tion. Moreover, the oceans are becoming acidified as a result of climate change, which could lead to a deterio- ration of the marine environment, and hence also bio- diversity. Sea acidification also means that the ocean is not able to absorb as much CO2 in the longer term. In its sixth major report from 2023, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concludes that global temperature rises increase the risk of species extinction, and that there will be irreversi- ble loss of biodiversity in ecosystems. Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 15 Ministry of Green Transition

4. Chapter Sectoral Integration of Nature and Biodiversity This chapter takes a look at the Danish initiatives that by 2025, and eliminated, phased out or reformed. The will contribute to global targets 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 goal is to reduce incentives and subsidies that are detri- and 21 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity mental to biodiversity by at least USD 500 billion annu- Framework. These global targets deal with the integra- ally by 2030, while scaling up positive incentives and tion of nature and biodiversity concerns into different subsidies. sectors and policies – globally and nationally. Global target 21 is about making the best available Global target 10 concerns the sustainable management data, information and knowledge available to decision of agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry, in par- makers, users and the public. This target is closely lin- ticular through the sustainable utilisation of biodiversity. ked to global target 14, which requires knowledge and data. Global target 12 aims to increase area, quality and con- nectivity, for access to and benefits of green and blue A common denominator for all targets is that they seek urban spaces. to integrate nature and biodiversity into the decisions made in respect of production, planning and patterns Global target 13 is about increasing the fair and equi- of action at all levels of society. table sharing of yields from the planet’s genetic resour- ces. This is relevant, for example, when companies The following contains an overview of the most impor- extract genetic resources in developing countries, or in tant initiatives that contribute to the global targets for areas populated by indigenous peoples. the sectoral integration of nature and biodiversity. Global target 14 aims to integrate biodiversity and The overall contribution of an initiative to one or more nature into all levels of policy decision-making, which is of the global targets can be seen in Annex 2. relevant when environmental assessments are carried out for specific projects. 4 . 1 Circular economy, green public procurement, and waste Global target 15 is about gradually reducing the negative Of particular relevance to the circular economy are impacts of enterprises on biodiversity, while increasing targets 14, 15 and 16, which deal with the integra- the positive impacts, for example, through sustainable tion of nature and biodiversity concerns into value production. Legal, administrative or political measures chains, policies, sustainable products, and patterns of shall be taken to enable large transnational enterprises consumption. in particular, and financial institutions to meet their obli- gations under this target. Global target 16 will help people to make sustainable consumption choices, and halve the global food waste. Global target 17 concerns the strengthening of the capa- city and implementation of bio-security and biotechno- logy management measures in accordance with the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. The aim is to manage the risks and benefits that living genetically modified orga- nisms (GMOs) can bring to biodiversity and human health. Global target 18 will reduce incentives and subsidies that are harmful to biodiversity. These shall be identified Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 16 Ministry of Green Transition The following contains an overview of the most impor- knowledge and tools. It focuses on those areas of pub- tant initiatives that contribute to the global targets for lic procurement that currently leave a heavy climate circular economy, green public procurement, and footprint – food (food waste, ecology, less meat), state waste. air travel (climate compensation through afforestation), energy (savings), and the vehicle fleet. Amongst other The overall contribution of an initiative to one or more things, a target has been set that, where official labelling of the global targets can be seen in Annex 2. systems exist, all publicly procured acquisitions must be eco-labelled or meet equivalent requirements by 2030. National Circular Economy Action Plan 2020-2032 The initiatives have a broad span, in terms of both procure- In its 2020 Circular Economy Action Plan, the European ment process and procurement areas, and their purpose Commission announced a number of initiatives aimed is to ensure that Denmark carries the green transition of at product lifecycle. The plan contains a total of 35 ini- public procurement through to the end. tiatives, including approximately 13 proposals for new or revised directives and regulations, and focuses on In recognition of public procurement as an important those sectors that use the most resources and where strategic instrument for the transition to a circular eco- there is great potential for circularity, such as: electro- nomy and sustainability, an EU-wide target has been nics and information and communication technologies, set for 50% of public procurement to be green, and cri- batteries and vehicles, packaging, plastics, textiles, con- teria for green procurement will be included in future struction and buildings, food, water, and nutrients. product regulations. Thus, throughout the EU, a num- ber of criteria for green procurement have been esta- The government’s Circular Economy Action Plan consti- blished for a wide range of product categories, and tutes the national plan for waste prevention and mana- green procurement criteria will be included in future gement for 2020-2032. It includes specific actions in the product regulations (cars, packaging, buildings, batte- circular value chain, from design over consumption to ries, etc.). The criteria should make it easier for public waste management. In addition to many cross-cutting purchasers to set environmental requirements for pro- inputs at the different stages of the circular value chain, ducts and services, and harmonise the environmental the action plan focuses on three areas that have a huge requirements imposed by the public sector in the EU impact on the environment and climate: biomass, con- in connection with specific tenders, to make it easier struction and plastics. There are 129 initiatives, many for suppliers to meet the requirements. Setting green of which are included in the Climate Plan for a Green procurement requirements is voluntary in most areas, Waste Sector and Circular Economy (2020), Green but some environmental requirements are mandatory. Public Procurement Strategy (2020), National Strategy for Sustainable Construction (2021), Circular Economy Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation Strategy (2018), and Plastics Action Plan (2018). The EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation establishes a framework for the adoption of environ- National Strategy for Public Procurement mental, energy and climate requirements for products, The strategy entitled ‘Green Procurement for a Green for the purpose of securing more environmentally sus- Future - Strategy for Green Public Procurement’ con- tainable products. The regulation is one of the key ele- tains a number of initiatives for getting public procure- ments of the EU’s Green Deal, and will be crucial for the ment to contribute to the realisation of Denmark’s EU’s environmental, energy and climate policy in the environmental and climate ambitions. The Danish state coming decades. The Ecodesign Regulation extends tenders for services, goods and construction projects the scope for setting ecodesign requirements for ener- worth over DKK 400 billion annually. This is equiva- gy-related products, so that it covers virtually all physi- lent to over 14% of Denmark’s gross domestic product, cal products (excluding, inter alia, food, feed and phar- and is thus a not insignificant driving force in the tran- maceuticals). Moreover, the requirements have been sition to circular economy and sustainability. A number extended, and have shifted their primary focus on of initiatives have been implemented. For example, a energy efficiency and energy consumption in the use cross-government food policy, criteria for green data phase, to focus more on the entire value chain, from centres, skills development of government purchasers, design and production to consumption and waste and guidance on preparing green tenders have been management. introduced. As new and tighter requirements are adopted for The government also has an ambition to reduce the more product groups, the most environmentally harm- climate footprint of public procurement, including the ful products are removed from the market. There procurement of transport and construction of public are also requirements for a digital product passport, buildings. where information on individual products can be sha- red across value chains for the benefit of consumers, The strategy follows three inter-connected tracks: repairers and other actors in product value chains, as short-term perspective, long-term perspective, and well as market surveillance authorities. To this end, the Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 17 Ministry of Green Transition Integration and the circular economy regulation provides for a common European labelling of products - climate labelling, for example. Initiative Significant inputs into the initiative National Circular The action plan contains 129 initiatives, including Minimum requirements for green public procurement Economy Action those focusing on: can also be adopted under the regulation. Furthermore, Plan 2020-2032 the regulation obliges larger companies to report annu- Less waste and better use of natural resources ally on the destruction of unsold consumer products, More and better recycling and a ban on the destruction of unsold consumer pro- ducts could be adopted subsequently. The regulation Better use of biomass specifically prohibits the destruction of unsold clothing Sustainable construction and footwear. Plastics in a circular economy Waste targets National Strategy The strategy follows three inter-connected tracks Denmark has a comprehensive set of targets for waste for Public Procure- – short-term perspective, long-term perspective, management, which partly reflect equally compre- ment and knowledge and tools. hensive regulation at EU level. The Danish targets are based on the hierarchy for waste treatment established Knowledge building, including a process of in the EU, whereby prevention and reuse are prioritised governmental skills development, focusing on over recycling and incineration with energy utilisation. green procurement, There is also a focus on minimising hazardous waste Tools, including and increasing waste collection and sorting, in order to promote better resource utilisation and the transition to purchases shall, if possible, be eco-labelled, a more circular mindset and economy. annual calculations and projections of the cli- mate footprint of overall public procurement; Denmark has had great success in reducing the amount of waste that is dumped, and currently dumps guidance on how to best meet requirements for only 1% of household and similar waste. Specific targets longer warranty periods and for recycling cover waste types such as household, energy requirements when LED light sources are packaging, plastic, glass, paper and cardboard, iron and purchased for public institutions. metal, aluminum, wooden packaging, building and con- struction, food and textile waste. There are also national Ecodesign for Sus- Digital product passports requirements for a certain proportion of the waste to tainable Products Common European product labelling be sorted and collected, in order to increase the recy- Regulation cling and utilisation of the resources contained in the General minimum requirements for green public waste (food, paper, cardboard, glass, metal, plastic, food procurement and drink cartons, and also hazardous waste and hou- Climate plan for a Minimum 60% real recycling of collected plastic sehold waste), as well as a national deposit system to green waste sector waste when the waste is tendered for treatment ensure that single-use plastic, aluminum and glass pac- and circular eco- kaging for beverages is recycled and in some cases Streamlined sorting and collection of 10 types of nomy reused. Furthermore, various partnerships have been household waste across the country established for food, building and construction waste, 50% reduction of some types of take-away pla- textile waste and plastic packaging waste. stic packaging Climate plan for a green Separate 50% of plastics for recycling in 2025, waste sector and circular economy and 80% in 2030 in the agricultural sector The production and incineration of refuse is a waste The building and construction sector shall sepa- of the planet’s resources, and is harmful to nature, rate 25% of plastics for recycling by 2025, and the environment and the climate (the waste sector 75% by 2030. accounts for 5.7% of Denmark’s CO2 emissions). To increase circularity and reduce CO2 emissions, the plan outlines a vision for a green waste sector with three legs: 1) the waste sector shall be climate-neutral by 2030, 2) 80% of Danish plastics shall be separated from incineration by 2030, and 3) the waste basket shall be broken – less rubbish, less waste and more recycling. Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 18 Ministry of Green Transition 4 . 2 Agriculture, forestry and fishing Agreement on a Green Denmark 2024 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework tar- In June 2024, the government entered into an get 10 aims to improve biodiversity and the sustainable Agreement on a Green Denmark with a num- management of agriculture, aquaculture, fishery and ber of parties (Landbrug & Fødevarer, Danmarks forestry, in particular through sustainable use of biodi- Naturfredningsforening, Fødevareforbundet NNF, versity. Nature and biodiversity concerns shall be inte- Dansk Metal, Dansk Industri and Kommunernes grated into the management of these areas through Landsforening), which will form the long-term basis for a biodiversity-friendly practices such as sustainable historic restructuring and transformation of Denmark’s intensification, ecology and innovative approaches that land area and its food and agricultural production. make production systems resilient while ensuring the preservation and recovery of biodiversity. The agreement provides concrete answers to agricul- ture’s climate and nature challenges, and at the same The following contains an overview of the most impor- time paves the way for a restructuring of Danish land. tant initiatives that contribute to the global targets for It contains a number of initiatives such as the establis- agriculture, forestry and fishery. hment of a green land fund, support for the planting of 250,000 hectares of new forest by 2045, support for The overall contribution of an initiative to one or more the removal of 140,000 hectares of carbon-rich shallow of the global targets can be seen in Annex 2. soil, including peripheral areas, by 2030, the introduc- tion of a CO2e-tax on emissions from livestock and car- Agriculture bon-rich soils, support for other land conversion, inclu- The conditions for Danish agriculture are largely deter- ding wetlands, and extensification and strategic land mined by the EU’s agricultural policy, but are also sha- acquisition, for the purpose of nitrogen reduction and ped by national rules, which are derived, inter alia, from land distribution, inter alia. Around DKK 40 billion has targeted regulation. been allocated for these initiatives. Agreement on Agriculture 2021 In 2021, a wide range of parties in the Danish Parliament signed an agreement to support the green transition in the agriculture and forestry sector, and to secure an improvement of the Danish aquatic environment and more space for nature in agricultural land. The agreement sets the direction for the conversion of Danish agriculture. The Agreement on Agriculture will contribute to a gre- enhouse gas reduction of 1.9 million tonnes of CO2e by 2030, and a reduction in nitrogen emissions to the aquatic environment by 10,800 tonnes by 2027. The agreement is based on a number of principles for reducing greenhouse gas and nitrogen emissions to the aquatic environment. Agriculture shall be converted to make it more climate and environment-friendly, and at the same time econo- mically sustainable. Moreover, the release of nutrients shall be reduced to improve the aquatic environment. Biodiversity concerns are also included in the Agreement on Agriculture, as the guideline principles for reducing gre- enhouse gas and nitrogen emissions state that agricultural production must take account of nature and biodiversity. Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 19 Ministry of Green Transition The Ecology Strategy As a follow-up to the Agreement on the Green Transition of Danish Agriculture of October 2021, the government has presented an ecological strategy to strengthen the important role ecology plays in the green transition of agriculture. For example, Denmark’s organic agricul- tural area shall account for 21% of its agricultural area by 2030. Furthermore, the Agreement on Agriculture stipulates that the marketing of organic products in Denmark and efforts to export organic food shall be doubled by 2030. Food Waste Strategy 2024-2027 The Food Waste Strategy aims to prevent and reduce food waste and food loss, and thereby benefit the cli- mate and the economy. The reduction shall be made in each of the five stages of the food value chain by 2030. The CAP Plan 2023 In addition, the Danish government has a target to Pillar I - organic agriculture schemes and conditions reduce the volume of food waste, including food waste The CAP Plan commits member states to achieving in all stages of the food value chain. The strategy con- environmental and climate results by means of both tains 15 initiatives, including the food waste and food mandatory requirements and voluntary actions on loss think tank, ONE/THIRD, the voluntary agreement agricultural land. There are therefore requirements for on food waste reduction in the food industry, ‘Denmark good agricultural and environmental conditions, which against Food Waste’, and research into food waste and must be met by all beneficiaries - for example, in terms food loss reduction. of improving the biodiversity of agricultural land. The requirements carry a risk of a sanction if the require- Forestry ments are not complied with. According to national forestry statistics, Denmark’s forest area had grown to just under 643,000 hectares The CAP Plan also contains voluntary grant schemes in 2022, which corresponds to just under 15 per cent that specify mandatory requirements, which lead to of Denmark’s total area. The Agreement on a Green higher climate and environmental results. In 2023 Denmark has established a framework for the planting Denmark introduced organic agriculture schemes, of 250,000 ha of new forest by 2045, which represents with a variety of objectives for achieving results for the an increase of up to 21 per cent of Denmark’s total area. environment, climate and biodiversity. These include schemes for supporting organic farming, environment Danish National Forestry Programme and climate-friendly grass, diversified plant production, The Danish National Forestry Programme (2018) sets biodiversity and sustainability. a course for sustainable forest management, ensuring a good balance between use and protection, and sup- Pillar II - multiannual commitments porting the many different functions of forests. Under Pillar II of the CAP Plan, there are a number of land and project grant schemes, in which the applicant The Forestry Programme contains two long-term obje- voluntarily commits to the environment-friendly and/or ctives to secure more forests and protect nature and climate-friendly use of land. Pillar II initiatives are not limi- biodiversity in forests, a vision, strategic mileposts, ted to agricultural land, and therefore include initiatives and a number of specific goals that support the desi- for natural land and forestry. The overall objective of the red development. The two long-term objectives are schemes is to award grants to support the EU’s shared that forest landscapes should cover 20-25 per cent of targets for an economically sustainable agricultural sec- Denmark’s land area by the end of the 21st century, and tor. This helps to promote the green agenda in the areas that by 2040, the primary operational objective of at of the environment, climate and nature, and strengthens least 10 per cent of Denmark’s total forest area should rural development. There are two schemes that are linked be nature and biodiversity. to Natura 2000-designated areas: clearance and prepara- tion for grassing over, and the grant scheme for biodiver- The National Forestry Programme has approved a stra- sity forests. In addition, the CAP plan includes a number of tegic milestone to enlarge Denmark’s forest area, and nature and environmental grant schemes that contribute increase the social benefit of forests. There is a also stra- to the implementation of the Water Framework Directive, tegic milestone to increase the absorption and storage and also to climate, nature and environmental activities. of carbon in forests and timber products through sus- These grant schemes provide grants for a mini-wetlands tainable operation. The objective of increasing absorp- area, water and climate projects, and private forestry. tion and storage can be promoted through a continued Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 20 Ministry of Green Transition focus on the potential of forests and forestry, to contri- fishing is prohibited. In the protected areas, which pri- bute to the Paris Agreement. marily comprise Natura 2000 areas and marine strate- gic areas, certain types of fishing will be prohibited if the Sustainable production is a prerequisite for the sustai- fishing is incompatible with the nature and the species nable development of forestry in Denmark, which sup- that need to be protected in the areas. ports the UN global goals and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. For this reason, the Coastal fisheries scheme and coastal fishery label National Forestry Programme has approved strategic Under the coastal fisheries scheme, fishing quotas are mileposts for sustainable timber production, as well as reserved for coastal fisheries. Amongst other things, good and clear framework conditions and an increase the coastal fisheries scheme grants larger quotas for in the supply and demand of documented sustainable fisheries that take the environment into consideration, timber. so that fishing is increasingly carried out with low-im- pact gear that does not affect the seabed. In order to achieve greater biodiversity in Danish forests, two strategic milestones have been adopted The state-owned, nature-friendly coastal fishery label in the National Forestry Programme: 1) preserving and was launched in 2021. The labelling scheme is based on increasing the biodiversity of forests in specific locati- five requirements that ensure that fish labelled ‘Nature- ons, and 2) promoting general nature considerations in friendly’ come from a coastal, environmentally sound forest management. and sustainable fishery, and that environmentally sound fishing methods have been used. The strategic milestones can be reached, for example, by planting biodiversity forests and untouched forests, Grant schemes under the European Maritime, where nature can be left alone. Among other things, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund untouched forests and areas with other biodiversity For the period 2021-2027, the EU will provide Denmark forests are planted within state forests. For private and with approximately DKK 1.5 billion from the European municipal forests, grant funding has also been alloca- Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund. This will be ted for forests with a biodiversity objective, the purpose matched by a public co-financing of DKK 642 million – a of which is to help to secure stable habitats to protect total of DKK 2.1 billion. The current Danish programme endangered animal and plant species with habitats in has a special focus on activities that support the green forests. Special consideration is also given in forestry transition, strengthened research efforts, and the use to forests with biodiversity objectives, to safeguard of biological advice. For the period 2021-2024, funds the biodiversity of special species. A grant scheme has have been allocated for the green transition, including also been established for private untouched forests. the development and testing of solutions used in the The purpose of grants for private untouched forests fisheries and aquaculture sector to improve the climate is to ensure stable habitats for species associated with and environment, the restoration of waterways, and forests. This is achieved by protecting naturally valuable actions to combat marine waste. forest areas and special habitats for forest species. Fishing The conditions for fishing in Denmark are largely deter- mined by the EU Common Fisheries Policy, and sup- plemented by national rules. Also of great importance for Danish fisheries are the frameworks arising out of EU environmental policy, such as the Marine Strategy Directive, the Nature Directives, the Water Framework Directive, and the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive. The EU Common Fisheries Policy, as implemented by Denmark, generally contributes to target 10 concerning sustainable management through the utilisation of fish stocks based on the principle of maximum sustainable yield, and promotes healthy ecosystems in the seas by reducing the negative impact of fishing on ecosystems as far as possible. Agreement on a Maritime Spatial Plan Broad political agreement was reached in 2023 that 30 per cent of Denmark’s marine area should be protec- ted, of which 10 per cent should be strictly protected by 2030. In the strictly protected areas, all commercial Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 21 Agriculture, forestry and fishing Ministry of Initiative Significant inputs into the initiative Green Transition Agreement on Selected key initiatives in the Agreement on Agriculture: Agriculture 2021 • Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture by 1.9 mil. tonnes of CO2e, e.g., by removing car- bon-rich soils • Reducing nitrogen emissions to the aquatic environment by 10,800 tonnes, through targeted regula- tion and joint measures CAP Plan 2023 • The organic agriculture scheme Organic Farming Support awards grants for organic farming • The organic agriculture scheme Environment and Climate-friendly Grass supports carbon build-up in grassland • The organic agriculture scheme Diversified plant production supports variation in the use of land for crop rotation • The organic agriculture scheme Biodiversity & Sustainability contributes to the establishment and pre- servation of elements and areas for the benefit of biodiversity • The grant scheme for cleaning and preparation for grassing over is targeted at sites in designated Natura 2000 areas, areas of high natural value, and wetland and carbon-rich soil projects • The grant scheme for mini-wetland areas contributes to improving the aquatic environment • The grant scheme for water and climate projects includes four initiatives in 2024: nitrogen wetland pro- jects, carbon-rich soil projects, phosphorus wetland projects, and physical waterways initiative projects (restoration of river valleys) • The grant scheme for private forestry awards grants to plant new forests on privately and municipali- ty-owned agricultural land Food Waste Strategy • 15 initiatives, including in particular: 2024-2027 • Establishing a think tank on food waste and food loss prevention, • Voluntary agreement on food waste reduction - Denmark against Food Waste. • DKK 15 million for research into food waste and food loss reduction in 2024 Tripartite agree- • Introduction of CO 2e tax in 2030. ment on a Green • Establishment of the Danish Green Land Fund, in which approximately DKK 40 bil. will be invested. Denmark • Removal of 140,000 ha of shallow, carbon-rich soils by 2030. • Establishment of 250,000 ha of new forest by 2045 National Forestry • Planting of biodiversity forests and untouched forests Programme • Grant schemes for private and municipal biodiversity forests • Grant scheme for private untouched forest Agreement on a • Fishing prohibited in strictly protected areas with some exceptions Maritime Spatial • Certain types of fishing are prohibited in protected areas where this is incompatible with the nature and Plan the species that need to be protected in the areas. Coastal fisheries • The coastal fisheries scheme provides additional quotas for fisheries that do not harm the seabed scheme and Natu- • The Nature-friendly labelling scheme provides incentives for the use of low-impact tools in fishing, and re-friendly coastal for all catches to come from healthy stocks. fishery label Grant schemes • For the period 2021 to 2024, funds have been allocated for: under the European • Development and testing of solutions used in the fisheries and aquaculture sector to improve the cli- Maritime, Fisheries mate and environment and Aquaculture Fund • Investments in coastal fishing through improvements of infrastructure • Reduction of marine waste under the government’s plastics action plan, • Preparation and implementation of production and marketing plans • Restoring waterways through the restoration of sewers and passage ways for fish, and improving con- ditions for flora and fauna in water areas. Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 22 Ministry of Green Transition 4 . 3 Cities Global target 12 aims to expand green and blue spaces in cities and densely populated areas, and improve the quality and connectivity, access to and benefits of these areas. The most important initiatives that contribute to the glo- bal targets for cities will be highlighted in the following. The overall contribution of an initiative to one or more of the global targets can be seen in Annex 2. Green map of Denmark Nature Plan Denmark required the municipalities to designate a Green map of Denmark for the municipal planning. The purpose of the Green map of Denmark is to create bigger and better natural areas with improved physical and/or functional connectivity in nature desig- nations across municipal boundaries. A local coun- cil for nature was established for the municipalities in 2017/2018, which assisted them in designating areas for the Green map of Denmark. When designating natural areas for inclusion in the Green map of Denmark, the municipalities use three nationwide criteria, one of which is the designation of natural areas that contribute to other objectives, including areas that can ensure con- nectivity with the green areas of the cities. Cities Initiative Significant inputs into the initiative Green Continue with the desig- map of nation of Green map of Denmark Denmark Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 23 Ministry of Green Transition 4 . 4 Business and Biodiversity employees) and listed companies (excluding micro-en- Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework terprises), as well as certain financial companies of pub- targets 13, 15 and 17 cover objectives related, among lic interest. In total, approximately 2,200 Danish com- other things, to companies’ access to and use of gene- panies are subject to reporting requirements in annual tic resources (global target 13), impact on nature and reports. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) biodiversity (global target 15), and biotechnology and not listed on the stock market are thus not directly genetically modified organisms (GMOs) – (global tar- covered by the requirements of the CSRD. However, it is get 17). Global target 15 has a special focus on repor- expected that many SMEs will also be affected as they ting on companies’ risks and dependencies on biodi- will be asked, as subcontractors, to provide information versity and their contribution to sustainable patterns of for reporting by the companies that are covered. consumption. Taxonomy The most important initiatives that contribute to the The EU Taxonomy Regulation includes a classifi- global goals for companies will be highlighted in the cation system that helps companies and investors following. identify environmentally sustainable economic acti- vities in order to make sustainable investment decisi- The overall contribution of an initiative to one or more ons. Environmentally sustainable economic activities of the global targets can be seen in Annex 2. are described as those which make a substantial con- tribution to at least one of the EU’s climate and environ- Biodiversity partnership mental objectives without significantly harming any of To strengthen companies’ efforts to protect the wor- these objectives, and which fulfil minimum guarantees. ld’s nature and biodiversity, the Environment Minister Six climate and environmental targets have been identi- has established a biodiversity partnership, made up of fied, including one on biodiversity and ecosystems - all industry and business organisations, NGOs, think tanks, supplemented by technical screening criteria for when trade unions and knowledge institutions. In the sum- a specific economic activity is considered to contribute mer of 2024 the partnership presented recommenda- significantly to the individual targets and not cause sig- tions to Danish companies and financial institutions on nificant harm (DNSH). the best actions to take in the field of biodiversity, and on experienced barriers and possible incentive struc- The EU Regulation does not impose mandatory requi- tures, as well as the identification of knowledge gaps in rements for environmental performance on companies order to strengthen the effects of Danish companies’ or financial products, but it is expected that EU taxo- and the financial sector’s voluntary efforts and invest- nomy will encourage a transition to sustainability over ments to protect nature, biodiversity and ecosystems. time, to enable the EU’s climate and environmental The recommendations are an appeal to companies to objectives to be met. do something about the great pressure they place on biodiversity, with a major focus on reducing land and Deforestation ban resource consumption. They include a recommenda- The EU Deforestation Regulation specifies require- tion that internationally recognised methods such as ments for due diligence procedures and for companies SBTN (Science-based Targets for Nature) and TNFD to ensure that a number of specific products containing (Taskforce for Nature-related Disclosure) should be the raw materials soy, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, natural used to outline, set targets for, monitor and implement rubber, cattle and wood have not led to deforestation actions, and a recommendation that business, industry and forest degradation around the world. and government organisations support their efforts. Companies must ensure that production has been car- Companies’ sustainability reporting ried out in compliance with relevant legislation in the The purpose of the EU Corporate Sustainability country of origin, and that environmental laws, human Reporting Directive (CSRD) is to create transparency rights and the rights of indigenous peoples are respe- and comparability on sustainability across larger com- cted. Global deforestation has major consequences panies within the EU. The CSRD is expected to lead to not only for the climate, nature and the environment, increased funding for and investment in sustainable but also significant social consequences, especially for companies, which is expected to increase incentives for indigenous peoples and local populations who live on companies to become more sustainable. Companies forest resources. The forests that have disappeared that are able to demonstrate their positive sustainability worldwide in the period from 1990 to 2020 cover an are expected to have a competitive advantage in the area that is larger than the entire EU. This is equal to future, as customers and business partners are increa- around 10 per cent of the world’s remaining forests. singly expected to demand this information. EU trade is estimated to account for 10 per cent of this deforestation. The CSRD applies to all large companies (includ- ing companies of public interest with more than 500 Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 24 Ministry of Green Transition Companies and genetic resources The third goal of the UN Convention on Biological Denmark has adopted further legislation on the coexi- Diversity is the equitable and fair distribution of the stence of GMOs and other crops, and on compensa- yield from the use of the planet’s genetic resources. The tion for any losses. The rules regulate the coexistence Nagoya Protocol, which was adopted in 2010 and ente- between the cultivation of genetically modified crops red into force in 2014, and which Denmark has ratified, and conventional and organic farming. They are there, seeks to achieve this goal. The developing countries in among other things, to help ensure that genetically particular have pushed ahead to secure a share of the modified crops can be cultivated without conventional gains from genetic resources. This is important for the and organic neighbouring farmers suffering a loss due world’s indigenous peoples, who often live in places to the incorporation of GMOs into their crops. If incor- where genetic resources are extracted. poration occurs against expectation, the rules allow for compensation to be paid. In the EU, the ABS Regulation has been used to imple- ment the Nagoya Protocol. ABS stands for ‘Access and Benefit Sharing’, and the ABS principle ensures that the benefits from the exploitation of genetic resources, and traditional knowledge associated with the exploitation D) Business and Biodiversity are shared equitably and fairly. This exploitation shall be based on prior consent and a private-law agreement on benefits between the recipient and the supplier of the Initiative Significant inputs into the genetic resources, based on bilateral agreements bet- initiative ween the users of the genetic resources and the sup- plier countries of the genetic resources. Establishment of a biodiversity Biodiver- partnership to help advise on sity part- In Denmark, the Nagoya Protocol has also been imple- how to strengthen the effects nership mented by means of the 2012 Act on the Division of of Danish companies’ and the Gains from Genetic Resources. The Nagoya Protocol financial sector’s voluntary grants any country sovereign rights to genetic resour- efforts and investments to pro- ces within national jurisdiction, and it is up to the parties tect nature and biodiversity. to specify conditions for access to genetic resources. Introduction of a sustainability Compa- GMOs (genetically modified organisms) reporting requirement, initially nies’ sus- The UN Convention on Biological Diversity requires for the largest listed companies tainability those countries that have acceded to the Convention with more than 500 employees, reporting (including Denmark) to deal with the risks that live and state-owned companies genetically modified organisms may pose to biodiver- with more than 500 employees sity and human health. They shall also promote ways of by 2024. The requirement will sharing of the benefits of biotechnology fairly. A special then apply to other large com- protocol has been adopted under the Convention, the panies from 2025. Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, which sets out rules Introduction of classification for cross-border transfers, and the handling and use of Taxonomy of activities as sustainable live GMOs. according to six EU climate and environmental objectives in Denmark and the EU have acceded to the Cartagena order to create incentives for Protocol. An important stipulation of the Protocol is more sustainable investment that live GMOs may not be transferred across natio- decision-making. nal borders without the prior informed consent of the competent authority of the recipient country. In the Deforesta- Introduction of requirements EU, this stipulation has been included in legislation on tion ban for the production of soy, palm cross-border transfers of genetically modified orga- oil, coffee, cocoa, natural rubber, nisms (Regulation 1946/2003). cattle and wood to be carried out without clearing or degrada- There is a comprehensive EU and national regulation of tion of forests before goods can GMOs which, in accordance with the principle of precau- be marketed in the EU or expor- tion, aims to protect human health and the environ- ted from the EU. ment in connection with the release of GMOs into the environment, whether this is done as a trial release on a defined area or as a result of actual marketing. Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 25 Ministry of Green Transition 4 . 5 Data Nature and biodiversity data As mentioned initially, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework contains global target 21, which aims to ensure that the best available data, information and knowledge is accessible to decision makers, users and the public. In Denmark there are three important databases on the subjects of nature and biodiversity that are available to the public. The Environmental Portal The Danish Environmental Portal contains Danish data on nature and the environment. The portal is the result of a joint public collaboration between the Ministry of Environment, the municipalities and the regions. (https://www.miljoeportal.dk/) The Species Portal Arter.dk collects information about Danish species and makes this data available to scientists, nature conser- vationists, and those with an interest in nature. Arter. dk is operated as a partnership between the Danish Environmental Protection Agency, the Natural History Museum of Denmark, Aarhus Natural History Museum and DanBIF. Financing comes from the Aage V. Jensen Nature Fund, the 15 June Foundation, and the Danish state. (https://www.arter.dk) The Red List The Danish Red List is a comprehensive overview of approximately 13,900 Danish species, and includes information on how endangered all these species are. The list is facilitated and prepared by Aarhus University (https://ecos.au.dk/forskningraadgivning/temasider/redlist). Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 26 Ministry of Green Transition 4 . 6 Subsidies The following contains an overview of the most impor- emissions of harmful greenhouse gases by 70% by tant initiatives that contribute to the global targets for 2030. The primary objective of the grant scheme is to subsidies. remove carbon-rich shallow soil in order to reduce gre- enhouse gas emissions from agriculture as far as possi- The overall contribution of an initiative to one or more ble. In addition to reducing CO2, the grant scheme will of the global targets can be seen in Annex 2. support objectives to protect nature and the aquatic environment, and other climate objectives. Apart from Environmentally harmful subsidies: the Climate Carbon-rich Soils scheme, there is also the 8th Environment Action Programme Water and Climate Projects grant scheme, including The 8th Environment Action Programme has commit- nitrogen wetland projects, which aim to reduce emissi- ted Denmark, along with the other EU member states, ons of nitrogen into fjords and coastal waters, as well as to step up efforts to phase out environmentally harmful greenhouse gas emissions. There is also a carbon-rich subsidies, including energy subsidies and, in particular, soils scheme where, aside from greenhouse gas reduc- subsidies for fossil fuels. A binding EU framework has tion, other concerns can also be factored in, especially been developed for monitoring and reporting on the in relation to nature, the environment and climate adap- progress made by member states towards the phasing tation, and also access to natural areas for outdoor out of energy subsidies, including fossil fuel subsidies. pursuits. As part of the EU Energy Union Governance Regulation, Denmark is to draw up a national energy and climate plan for the period 2021-2030. According to the 2024 National Energy and Climate Plan, no direct support or Subsidies subsidies are granted for fossil fuels in Denmark. Initiative Significant inputs into the ini- tiative Energy subsidies Denmark is working in various international forums The EU’s 8th • Denmark regularly reports on reforming fossil fuel subsidies to contribute to the Environment on environmentally harmful Paris Agreement’s goal of turning global funding flows Action Pro- subsidies to the Commission in a green direction, and contributing to an accelerated gramme energy transition. Energy subsi- • Develop a national overview dies and COP of direct and indirect fossil In connection with the phasing out of energy subsi- 28/29 fuel subsidies dies, Denmark backed a Joint Statement on Fossil Fuel Subsidies in 2023. The countries have undertaken to • Based on the national over- draw up a national overview of both direct and indirect view of fossil fuel subsidies, fossil fuel subsidies. The countries are to develop nati- a strategy for phasing out onal strategies for phasing out fossil subsidies. To this fossil fuel subsidies is being end, the signatories to the Statement are cooperating developed to develop a more appropriate international methodo- • Support capacity building logy for fossil fuel subsidies in order to secure a better in South Africa, India and basis for subsidy analysis and policy action. Denmark is Indonesia to phase out fossil also one of the group of countries participating in the fuel subsidies Friends of Fossil Fuels Subsidy Reform (FFFSR). This coalition is working towards a reform of fossil fuel subsi- Two grant • DKK 1.71 bil. and DKK 2.56 bil. dies in international forums such as the G20, the WTO, schemes for respectively allocated in the and in connection with international climate negoti- climate car- period 2021-2024 ations. Denmark also provides a grant to support the bon-rich soil International Institute for Sustainable Development, and projects Global Subsidies Initiatives. The project supports inter- Water and • Approx. DKK 1.2 bil. allocated national processes for reforming fossil fuel subsidies, Climate Pro- by 2027 and contributes to capacity building for phasing out jects grant fossil fuel subsidies in India, Indonesia and South Africa. scheme (LBST) Positive incentives for biodiversity Denmark has introduced several grant schemes in the area of nature and biodiversity, to increase posi- tive incentives for biodiversity. For example, funds have been allocated to climate carbon-rich soil projects, which help to support the target of reducing Denmark’s Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 27 Ministry of Green Transition

5. Chapter Global Action This chapter looks at Danish inputs and actions that and institutions, through a process that takes account will contribute to global targets 19, 20, 22 and 23 of the of people’s different needs and experiences based on Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. their gender identity. The main targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global 5 . 1 Danish green aid Biodiversity Framework that relate to international The Danish Development Policy Strategy for 2021-2025 efforts are global target 19, on resource mobilisation, lays the foundation for Danish development policy and global target 20, on technology transfer and capa- from 2021 to 2025, and has two main objectives: city building, including from developed countries to developing countries. 1. To create hope and give more people better help where it is needed the most. This means preventing Global target 19 requires the mobilisation of USD 200 and combating poverty and inequality, vulnerability, billion annually from all sources worldwide, i.e. natio- conflict and displacement, and hence also sporadic nal, international, and public and private sources, for migration. the implementation of national biodiversity strategies and action plans, as well as the targets of the Kunming- 2. To be at the forefront in the fight for climate, nature Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This will be and the environment - for a balanced planet. Climate done, inter alia, by increasing national resource mobi- ambitions must be ramped up and global CO2 emis- lisation and using existing resources more efficiently, sions scaled down. The green transition must be pro- including via synergies from climate financing in devel- moted. This requires a strong commitment to climate opment aid. The target comes with a subordinate obje- adaptation, more work to improve nature and the ctive to increase biodiversity-related international finan- environment, and greater resilience, with a focus on cial resources from developed countries, including poor and vulnerable countries and people. official development aid, to a minimum of USD 20 bil- lion per year by 2025 and to a minimum of USD 30 bil- Denmark is working in several different key areas: lion per year by 2030. These resources are specifically 1. Support for nature and biodiversity through devel- intended for the least developed countries, small island opment aid states, and countries with economies in transition.

2. Support for biodiversity through Danish civil society Global target 20 shall ensure capacity building and 3. Contribution to global targets through development development, including access to and transfer of aid for multilateral funds and organisations technologies, and the promotion of innovation and

4. An international forestry and nature initiative cooperation.

5. Promotion of corporate responsibility for nature, the What targets 19 and 20 have in common is that they environment and biodiversity in global value chains aim to increase access at global level to non-finan- 6. Cooperation with the authorities on water, the cial (e.g. technology transfer and capacity building) as environment, textiles, etc. well as financial resources, in order to secure sufficient resources and funds for the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. 1) Support for nature and biodiversity through development aid Target 22 deals with the rights of indigenous peoples The Danish Government is stepping up its efforts for and local communities and their full and effective parti- the green agenda in the developing countries even cipation in decision-making, including for women, girls, further, and will allocate at least 35 per cent of the children and youth, and people with disabilities. total aid to the developing countries for green objecti- ves under the Financial Act 2024. The is equivalent to Target 23 aims to ensure gender equality in the imple- around DKK 6 billon. It is expected that the vast majo- mentation of the targets of the Kunming-Montreal rity of actions in the green area will be climate-relevant Global Biodiversity Framework, in programmes, policies and account for at least 30 per cent of the aid, and that Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 28 Ministry of Green Transition the special Danish profile on climate adaptation will be Strategic Partnership Agreement maintained, with around 60 per cent of the climate aid with WWF Denmark being spent on adaptation efforts in developing coun- As a strategic partner, WWF Denmark will receive DKK tries. Among other things, funds have been allocated 17 million a year in 2022-2025. WWF Denmark’s strate- for a total investment in forests and nature of DKK 1 bil- gic partnership The Triple Benefit Programme aims to lion in the period 2024-2027. There is expected to be a improve people’s living conditions, increase biodiversity, significant overlap between actions that contribute to and find better ways for humans and nature to adapt the global climate targets and actions relevant to biodi- to and resist climate change. WWF Denmark gene- versity, water and the environment. rally works to strengthen biodiversity, climate reduc- tion, climate adaptation and resilience, while countering Denmark wants to be at the forefront of the green environmental degradation, poverty and inequality. transition. Denmark’s contribution will consist of spe- cific climate, nature and environmental initiatives, but Partnership Agreement with IWGIA it will also help to make the growth and development (International Working Group for Indigenous Affairs) that many countries will and must experience over the The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also entered into a coming decades fair and green. Therefore, cooperation partnership agreement with the IWGIA (International between the Danish authorities and their sister organi- Work Group for Indigenous Affairs) on protection and sations in selected developing and emerging countries support, to promote the rights of indigenous peoples must be strengthened. The government has increased in developing countries. The IWGIA works on the nega- the framework for cooperation between the authorities tive effects of climate change and biodiversity degra- by DKK 50 million in 2024 to a total of DKK 313 million. dation, and supports the recognition of indigenous peoples as holders of rights and key players in environ- The government has also decided that more than mental management. The IWGIA will also be working on half of the development aid in 2024 will be allocated the inclusion of indigenous women, and the challenges to Africa. The same applies to green aid, equivalent to indigenous women face as a result of climate change and around DKK 3 billion for green initiatives in Africa. The the threat to ecosystems. The Kunming-Montreal Global country programmes will also allocate substantial funds Biodiversity Framework is seen as an opportunity for to green initiatives. DKK 100 million have been alloca- change at local and national level, and the IWGIA will there- ted for water and combating deforestation in Kenya. fore collaborate with indigenous movements to sharpen The funds are intended, among other things, to combat the focus on the link between biodiversity, nature conser- deforestation and planting in Kenya’s highlands, which vation, climate change and human rights. will help to ensure that rainwater is absorbed and chan- nelled through rivers to drier, low-lying areas. 3) Development aid for multilateral funds and organisations 2) Support for biodiversity Denmark is committed to play its part in the achieve- through Danish civil society ment of the global targets of the Kunming-Montreal The Ministry of Foreign Affairs supports civil society Global Biodiversity Framework by contributing to partners that work specifically with biodiversity and several major multilateral organisations and funds. indigenous peoples. The Ministry has joined forces with Denmark supports the Global Environment Facility Forests of the World and WWF Denmark in a theme-ba- (GEF), which is the largest and oldest multilateral fund sed green strategic partnership for 2022-2025, to sup- dedicated to environmental protection. The GEF pro- port the green strategic priorities of the development vides assistance to developing countries to address policy strategy. pressing environmental issues, and to help devel- oping countries fulfil their obligations under multila- Strategic Partnership Agreement teral environmental agreements, including the UN with Forests of the World Convention on Biological Diversity. As a strategic partner, Forests of the World will receive DKK 16 million a year in 2022-2025. Forests, biodiversity UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and the rights of indigenous peoples are central to the The United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration work of Forests of the World, which is based on peop- is a broad-based global movement aimed at restoring le’s rights. The work involves support for indigenous ecosystems and putting the world on track for a sus- peoples - and other peoples who rely the world’s tainable future. The UN Decade runs from 2021 to 2030, forests - in their struggle for self-determination, rights and its vision is to secure future generations by restoring and cultural self-identification. Forests of the World also the relationship between humans and nature, increasing use nature-based solutions in their global work. Among the area of healthy ecosystems and stopping loss, frag- other things, they focus on the pressure that deforesta- mentation and degradation of ecosystems. Denmark tion puts on the residential areas of indigenous peoples, became a core contributor to the Fund for the Decade and the need for long-term partnerships and access to in 2022, contributing DKK 70 million in the period 2022- forest monitoring systems. 2025, and actively participates in the Fund’s management. Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 29 Ministry of Green Transition UN Environment Programme (UNEP) opportunities to seek funds for projects from the new The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Global Biodiversity Framework Fund, and implement works for the sustainable management of ecosystems the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. by providing access to information and data on the The focus will be on capacity-building and learning acti- state of ecosystems. The UNEP also helps partners vities to improve the implementation of the new global design systems to monitor the state of biodiversity and nature goals, in particular through guidance on the revi- develop strategies to preserve biodiversity and end- sion of the national biodiversity strategies and action angered species. The UNEP actively promotes global plans (NBSAPs) and support tools for implementation. awareness of the importance ofbiodiversity, creates a policy framework to protect it, and supports countries New international forestry and nature initiative in their efforts to preserve and sustainably manage bio- Denmark has backed the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration diversity. Denmark will be making a core contribution of on Forests and Land Use, which aims to stop global DKK 200 million to the UNEP in the period 2022-2025. deforestation and start the restoration of world forests by 2030. An important step in combating global defore- International Union for station is the adoption of the Deforestation Regulation. Conservation of Nature (IUCN) In addition, there is strong voluntary commitment The International Union for Conservation of Nature is among Danish stakeholders, including several large one of the world’s leading organisations in sustainable Danish companies, to help stop global deforestation. development and nature conservation, and plays an important role in putting nature and biodiversity high In 2024, DKK 350 million was allocated in Danish devel- on the international agenda, as well as developing stan- opment aid.to a new Danish initiative as part of a total dards and implementing projects and programmes investment in forests and nature of DKK 1 billion from globally. Denmark re-entered the IUCN in 2020 as a 2024 to 2027. Support will primarily focus on vulnerable strategic partner and donor, and will grant the organisa- forest and other wooded areas that are under increa- tion a total of DKK 80 million by the end of 2024. sing threat from deforestation and forest degradation. The objectives of the Forestry Programme include con- Support for the Global Environment Facility (GEF) tributing to climate adaptation, biodiversity protection, and the new Global Biodiversity Framework Fund reduction of CO2 emissions, and social and economic Denmark supports the GEF by contributing DKK 800 development for local communities, including indi- million in the period 2022-2026, an increase of 78% genous peoples. compared with previous contributions. The Global Environment Facility is a multilateral environmental Cooperation with the World Benchmarking Alliance fund that provides grants and mixed funding for pro- Denmark has been supporting the World Benchmarking jects related to biodiversity, forests and nature in devel- Alliance since it was founded in 2018. The Ministry of oping countries, among other things. Foreign Affairs has provided the organisation with DKK 25 million in assistance in the period 2019-2024. A new Global Biodiversity Framework Fund has been The World Benchmarking Alliance is a not-for-profit established under the Global Environment Facility organisation that works to promote sustainability pra- against the background of the Kunming-Montreal ctices, including in the areas of biodiversity, nature, the Global Biodiversity Framework. The aim of the fund is environment and climate, in the world’s 2,000 largest to implement projects in developing countries that can companies (around 40% of the world’s economy). The help to achieve the global targets, including the global World Benchmarking Alliance develops an internati- target for 30% protected land and sea, and the global onal analytical data base that enables the companies’ target for 30% restoration of degraded ecosystems. impact to be compared and measured across sectors The fund will also be able to carry out projects on the and countries. The organisation has over 340 mem- integration of biodiversity in all sectors, step up efforts bers throughout more than 35 different countries. to eliminate subsidies, and strengthen global coopera- Denmark’s engagement plays a part in ensuring that tion on the circular economy. Denmark will grant the the private sector is held accountable for their impact fund DKK 100 million in assistance in 2024. on biodiversity and nature, while promoting internatio- nal transparency, reporting and monitoring of compa- Support for the secretariat nies and their value chains. under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity Denmark supports the UN Convention on Biological Support for IDH - The Sustainable Trade Initiative Diversity by granting DKK 14 million in the period 2023- In 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs entered into a

2026. The funds will strengthen capacity building in partnership with The Sustainable Trade Initiative with a developing countries and among indigenous peoples. grant of DKK 80 million for the period 2022-2025, to Among other things, this will help developing coun- support key Danish policy priorities for more responsi- tries to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to pro- ble and deforestation-free value chains. The aim of the mote biodiversity. The aim is to give countries better partnership is to make development greener and more Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 30 Ministry of Green Transition poverty-oriented through a sustainable transforma- tion of global and local value chains and food systems, with a focus on deforestation-intensive agricultural raw materials (soya, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, cotton, etc.). The starting point for the partnership is primarily the very large, multinational companies in the agro and food industry. Under the partnership, funds have been allo- cated to reduce the deforestation associated with the soy sector in Brazil. Cooperation with WWF on ‘Scaling Up Sustainable Soy’ Denmark will provide DKK 30 million in the period 2023-2025 to fund the Scaling Up Sustainable Soy pro- ject. The project will be implemented by WWF and their partners in Brazil and Denmark. The project focuses on reducing deforestation associated with the Danish soybean supply chain by supporting the conversion of Brazilian soybean production to a more respon- sible value chain through a green and rights-based development. The aim of the project is to ensure that soy that is imported and consumed in Denmark is produced sus- tainably, i.e. without damaging the climate and biodiver- sity or compromising the social and economic rights of population groups. The project is implemented in the Cerrado region, Brazil’s most important ecosystem after the Amazon rainforest.

6. Cooperation with the authorities Since 2014, Denmark has played its part in forming strategic sectoral partnerships, which involve coope- ration with the authorities of selected countries in specific areas – such as water and circular economy/ waste. These initiatives promote capacity building in the countries, increase bilateral cooperation between Denmark and the countries, and give Danish environ- mental technology companies greater exposure. The main focus is capacity building through the exchange of experience with the authorities in the areas of regu- lation, implementation, guidance, enforcement, etc., which can help promote robust environmental prote- ction and green transition in the countries. Supporting the framework for investments is also key to increasing the results of the initiatives. Furthermore, it’s impor- tant to support environmental technology exports that bring environmental benefits to the recipient country, and contribute to green welfare. Denmark coopera- tes in other sectors in Kenya, Indonesia, China, South Africa, India, Morocco, Thailand and Ethiopia. Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 31 Danish green aid Ministry of Initiative Significant inputs into the initiative Green Transition Support for nature • At least 35% green aid out of DKK 6 bil. in 2024 and biodiversity • Approx. 60% of climate aid will go to adaptation initiatives in developing countries through develop- ment aid • More than half of the green aid, equivalent to more than DKK 3 bil., is allocated to green initiatives in Africa Strategic Partners- • DKK 16 mil. a year in 2022-2025 for the Strategic Partnership Agreement, focusing on nature-based hip Agreement with solutions for conservation of biodiversity and sustainable use of forests, solutions based on strengt- Forests of the World hening civil society and indigenous peoples’ leadership, and inclusion of young people and women in relation to forest and biodiversity conservation, and human rights-based solutions including in relation to dignified rural living conditions, and forest and biodiversity conservation Strategic Partners- • DKK 17 mill. a year in 2022-2025 for the Strategic Partnership Agreement, focusing on nature-based hip Agreement with solutions, including their application, for increased climate adaptation and resilience of both humans WWF Denmark and ecosystems. Partnership Agree- • DKK 18 mil. a year in the period 2024-2027 to IWGIA with a focus on land rights and territorial admini- ment with Internati- stration, indigenous women and girls, and global governance. onal Working Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) UN Decade on Eco- • DKK 70 mil. in the period 2022-2025 for the protection and restoration of ecosystems. system Restoration UNEP (UN Environ- • DKK 200 mil. in core contribution in the period 2022-2025 to promote sustainable climate and environ- ment Programme) mental development. International Union • DKK 80 mil. in 2024 for activities promoting the environment, biodiversity, sustainable food production for Conservation of and chemicals initiatives in developing countries. Nature (IUCN) Support for the Glo- • DKK 800 mil. in the period 2022-2026 for the 8th top-up of the fund. bal Environment • DKK 100 mil. to help implement biodiversity projects in developing countries. Facility (GEF) New Global Biodi- versity Framework Fund Support for the • DKK 14 mil. in the period 2023-2026 to strengthen capacity building in developing countries and among secretariat under indigenous peoples. the UN Convention on Biological Diver- sity New international • DKK 1 bil. in the period 2024-2027. The funds will contribute, among other things, to climate adaptation, forestry and nature biodiversity protection, reduction of CO2 emissions, and social and economic development for local initiative communities, including indigenous peoples. World Benchmar- • DKK 25 mil. in the period 2019-2024 to promote sustainability practices, including in the areas of biodi- king Alliance versity, nature, the environment and climate in the world’s 2,000 largest companies Support for the • DKK 80 mil. in the period 2022-2025. Among other things, funds have been allocated to reduce the Sustainable Trade deforestation associated with the soy sector in Brazil. Initiative Cooperation with • DKK 30 mil. for the period 2023-2025. Among other things, to reduce the deforestation associated with WWF on ‘Scaling Up the Danish soybean supply chain. Sustainable Soy’ Cooperation with • DKK 120 mil. in the period 2023-2026. The initiatives will promote capacity building in the countries. the authorities on water and the circular economy Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 32 Ministry of Green Transition

Annex 1 The 23 Global Targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Bio- diversity Framework for 2030 TARGET 1: Plan and Manage all Areas To Reduce Biodiversity Loss Ensure that all areas are under participatory, integrated conservation and sustainable management practices, and biodiversity inclusive spatial planning and/or effe- and effectively manage human-wildlife interactions to ctive management processes addressing land- and minimize human-wildlife conflict for coexistence. seause change, to bring the loss of areas of high biodi- versity importance, including ecosystems of high eco- TARGET 5: Ensure Sustainable, Safe and Legal logical integrity, close to zero by 2030, while respecting Harvesting and Trade of Wild Species the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities. Ensure that the use, harvesting and trade of wild spe- cies is sustainable, safe and legal, preventing overexploi- TARGET 2: Restore 30% of all Degraded Ecosystems tation, minimizing impacts on non-target species and Ensure that by 2030 at least 30 per cent of areas of ecosystems, and reducing the risk of pathogen spillo- degraded terrestrial, inland water, and marine and ver, applying the ecosystem approach, while respec- coastal ecosystems are under effective restoration, in ting and protecting customary sustainable use by indi- order to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem functions genous peoples and local communities. and services, ecological integrity and connectivity. TARGET 6: Reduce the Introduction of Invasive Alien TARGET 3: Conserve 30% of Land, Waters and Seas Species by 50% and Minimize Their Impact Ensure and enable that by 2030 at least 30 per cent Eliminate, minimize, reduce and or mitigate the impacts of terrestrial and inland water areas, and of marine and of invasive alien species on biodiversity and ecosystem coastal areas, especially areas of particular importance services by identifying and managing pathways of the for biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services, introduction of alien species, preventing the introduc- are effectively conserved and managed through eco- tion and establishment of priority invasive alien species, logically representative, well-connected and equitably reducing the rates of introduction and establishment governed systems of protected areas and other effe- of other known or potential invasive alien species by ctive area-based conservation measures, recognizing at least 50 per cent by 2030, and eradicating or con- indigenous and traditional territories, where applicable, trolling invasive alien species, especially in priority sites, and integrated into wider landscapes, seascapes and such as islands. the ocean, while ensuring that any sustainable use, where appropriate in such areas, is fully consistent with TARGET 7: Reduce Pollution to Levels That Are Not conservation outcomes, recognizing and respecting Harmful to Biodiversity the rights of indigenous peoples and local communi- Reduce pollution risks and the negative impact of pol- ties, including over their traditional territories. lution from all sources by 2030, to levels that are not harmful to biodiversity and ecosystem functions and TARGET 4: Halt Species Extinction, Protect Genetic services, considering cumulative effects, including: (a) Diversity, and Manage Human-Wildlife Conflicts by reducing excess nutrients lost to the environment Ensure urgent management actions to halt human by at least half, including through more efficient nutri- induced extinction of known threatened species ent cycling and use; (b) by reducing the overall risk from and for the recovery and conservation of species, in pesticides and highly hazardous chemicals by at least particular threatened species, to significantly reduce half, including through integrated pest management, extinction risk, as well as to maintain and restore the based on science, taking into account food security genetic diversity within and between populations of and livelihoods; and (c) by preventing, reducing, and native, wild and domesticated species to maintain their working towards eliminating plastic pollution. adaptive potential, including through in situ and ex situ Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 33 Ministry of Green Transition TARGET 8: Minimize the Impacts of Climate Change urbanization and to the provision of ecosystem functi- on Biodiversity and Build Resilience ons and services. Minimize the impact of climate change and ocean aci- dification on biodiversity and increase its resilience TARGET 13: Increase the Sharing of Benefits From through mitigation, adaptation, and disaster risk reduc- Genetic Resources, Digital Sequence Information tion actions, including through nature-based solutions and Traditional Knowledge and/or ecosystem-based approaches, while minimi- Take effective legal, policy, administrative and capa- zing negative and fostering positive impacts of climate city-building measures at all levels, as appropriate, to action on biodiversity. ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits that • 2. Meeting people’s needs through sustainable use arise from the utilization of genetic resources and and benefit-sharing from digital sequence information on genetic resour- ces, as well as traditional knowledge associated with TARGET 9: Manage Wild Species Sustainably To genetic resources, and facilitating appropriate access Benefit People to genetic resources, and by 2030, facilitating a signi- Ensure that the management and use of wild species ficant increase of the benefits shared, in accordance are sustainable, thereby providing social, economic and with applicable international access and benefit-sharing environmental benefits for people, especially those in instruments. vulnerable situations and those most dependent on • 3. Tools and solutions for implementation and biodiversity, including through sustainable biodiversi- mainstreaming ty-based activities, products and services that enhance biodiversity, and protecting and encouraging custo- TARGET 14: Integrate Biodiversity in Decision-Making mary sustainable use by indigenous peoples and local at Every Level communities. Ensure the full integration of biodiversity and its multiple values into policies, regulations, plan- TARGET 10: Enhance Biodiversity and Sustainability ning and development processes, poverty eradica- in Agriculture, Aquaculture, Fisheries, and Forestry tion strategies, strategic environmental assessments, Ensure that areas under agriculture, aquaculture, fis- environmental impact assessments and, as approp- heries and forestry are managed sustainably, in par- riate, national accounting, within and across all levels ticular through the sustainable use of biodiversity, inclu- of government and across all sectors, in particular ding through a substantial increase of the application those with significant impacts on biodiversity, progres- of biodiversity friendly practices, such as sustainable sively aligning all relevant public and private activities, intensification, agroecological and other innovative and fiscal and financial flows with the goals and targets approaches, contributing to the resilience and long- of this framework. term efficiency and productivity of these production systems, and to food security, conserving and restoring TARGET 15: Businesses Assess, Disclose and Reduce biodiversity and maintaining nature’s contributions to Biodiversity-Related Risks and Negative Impacts people, including ecosystem functions and services. Take legal, administrative or policy measures to encourage and enable business, and in particular to TARGET 11: Restore, Maintain and Enhance Nature’s ensure that large and transnational companies and Contributions to People financial institutions: Restore, maintain and enhance nature’s contributions • (a) Regularly monitor, assess, and transparently to people, including ecosystem functions and ser- disclose their risks, dependencies and impacts on vices, such as the regulation of air, water and climate, biodiversity, including with requirements for all large soil health, pollination and reduction of disease risk, as as well as transnational companies and financial well as protection from natural hazards and disasters, institutions along their operations, supply and value through nature-based solutions and/or ecosystem-ba- chains, and portfolios; sed approaches for the benefit of all people and nature. • (b) Provide information needed to consumers to pro- TARGET 12: Enhance Green Spaces and Urban mote sustainable consumption patterns; Planning for Human Well-Being and Biodiversity • (c) Report on compliance with access and bene- Significantly increase the area and quality, and con- fit-sharing regulations and measures, as applicable; nectivity of, access to, and benefits from green and blue spaces in urban and densely populated areas in order to progressively reduce negative impacts on sustainably, by mainstreaming the conservation and biodiversity, increase positive impacts, reduce biodiver- sustainable use of biodiversity, and ensure biodiversi- sity-related risks to business and financial institutions, ty-inclusive urban planning, enhancing native biodiver- and promote actions to ensure sustainable patterns of sity, ecological connectivity and integrity, and impro- production. ving human health and well-being and connection to nature, and contributing to inclusive and sustainable Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 34 Ministry of Green Transition TARGET 19: Mobilize $200 Billion per Year for Biodiversity From all Sources, Including $30 Billion Through International Finance Substantially and progressively increase the level of financial resources from all sources, in an effective, timely and easily accessible manner, including dome- stic, international, public and private resources, in accor- dance with Article 20 of the Convention, to implement national biodiversity strategies and action plans, mobili- zing at least $200 billion per year by 2030, including by: • (a) Increasing total biodiversity related internatio- nal financial resources from developed countries, including official development assistance, and from countries that voluntarily assume obligations of developed country Parties, to developing coun- tries, in particular the least developed countries and small island developing States, as well as countries with economies in transition, to at least $20 billion per year by 2025, and to at least $30 billion per year by 2030; • (b) Significantly increasing domestic resource mobi- lization, facilitated by the preparation and implemen- tation of national biodiversity finance plans or similar instruments according to national needs, priorities and circumstances; TARGET 16: Enable Sustainable Consumption • (c) Leveraging private finance, promoting blended Choices To Reduce Waste and Overconsumption finance, implementing strategies for raising new and Ensure that people are encouraged and enabled to additional resources, and encouraging the private make sustainable consumption choices, including by sector to invest in biodiversity, including through establishing supportive policy, legislative or regulatory impact funds and other instruments; frameworks, improving education and access to rele- vant and accurate information and alternatives, and • (d) Stimulating innovative schemes such as payment by 2030, reduce the global footprint of consumption for ecosystem services, green bonds, biodiversity in an equitable manner, including through halving glo- offsets and credits, and benefit-sharing mechanisms, bal food waste, significantly reducing overconsumption with environmental and social safeguards; and substantially reducing waste generation, in order • (e) Optimizing co-benefits and synergies of finance for all people to live well in harmony with Mother Earth. targeting the biodiversity and climate crises; TARGET 17: Strengthen Biosafety • (f) Enhancing the role of collective actions, includ- and Distribute the Benefits of Biotechnology ing by indigenous peoples and local communities, Mother Earth centric actions[1] and non-market-ba- Establish, strengthen capacity for, and implement in all sed approaches including community based natural countries, biosafety measures as set out in Article 8(g) resource management and civil society coopera- of the Convention on Biological Diversity and measu- tion and solidarity aimed at the conservation of res for the handling of biotechnology and distribution biodiversity; of its benefits as set out in Article 19 of the Convention. • (g) Enhancing the effectiveness, efficiency and trans- TARGET 18: Reduce Harmful Incentives by at parency of resource provision and use; Least $500 Billion per Year, and Scale Up Positive Incentives for Biodiversity TARGET 20: Strengthen Capacity-Building, Identify by 2025, and eliminate, phase out or reform Technology Transfer, and Scientific and Technical incentives, including subsidies, harmful for biodiver- Cooperation for Biodiversity sity, in a proportionate, just, fair, effective and equitable Strengthen capacity-building and development, access way, while substantially and progressively reducing to and transfer of technology, and promote develop- them by at least $500 billion per year by 2030, starting ment of and access to innovation and technical and with the most harmful incentives, and scale up positive scientific cooperation, including through SouthSouth, incentives for the conservation and sustainable use of North-South and triangular cooperation, to meet the biodiversity. needs for effective implementation, particularly in Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 35 Ministry of Green Transition developing countries, fostering joint technology devel- opment and joint scientific research programmes for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and strengthening scientific research and monitoring capacities, commensurate with the ambition of the goals and targets of the Framework. TARGET 21: Ensure That Knowledge Is Available and Accessible To Guide Biodiversity Action Ensure that the best available data, information and knowledge are accessible to decision makers, practiti- oners and the public to guide effective and equitable governance, integrated and participatory manage- ment of biodiversity, and to strengthen communica- tion, awareness-raising, education, monitoring, research and knowledge management and, also in this con- text, traditional knowledge, innovations, practices and technologies of indigenous peoples and local com- munities should only be accessed with their free, prior and informed consent,[2] in accordance with national legislation. TARGET 22: Ensure Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice and Information Related to Biodiversity for all Ensure the full, equitable, inclusive, effective and gen- der-responsive representation and participation in decision-making, and access to justice and informa- tion related to biodiversity by indigenous peoples and local communities, respecting their cultures and their rights over lands, territories, resources, and traditional knowledge, as well as by women and girls, children and youth, and persons with disabilities and ensure the full protection of environmental human rights defenders. TARGET 23: Ensure Gender Equality and a Gender- Responsive Approach for Biodiversity Action Ensure gender equality in the implementation of the Framework through a gender-responsive approach, where all women and girls have equal opportunity and capacity to contribute to the three objectives of the Convention, including by recognizing their equal rights and access to land and natural resources and their full, equitable, meaningful and informed participation and leadership at all levels of action, engagement, policy and decision-making related to biodiversity. Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 36 Ministry of Green Transition

Annex 2 Visual Overview of Denmark’s Con- tribution to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Global targets of the Overview of Initiatives Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework: Chap. 3 - More and Better Nature Land, Sea and Water Species Protected areas and the EU bio- Strategy for managing endange- 1,2,3 4,6,9 diversity strategy 2030 red and red-listed species Natura 2000 plans 1,2,3 Combating wildlife crime 4,5 Nature Restoration Law 1,2,3 Strategy for invasive species 6 Maritime Strategy and Action Pollution 1,2,3 Programme 2023 Water area plansRiver Basin 7,11 Agreement of a Maritime Spatial Management Plans 2021-2027 1,2,3 Plan Pesticide Strategy 2022-2027 7, 11 Marine nature fund 2 Chemicals initiative 2022-2025 7, 11 National Marine Parks 2,3 Micro-pollutants, including PFAS 7,11 Restoration of rock reefs 2,3 National biocidal initiative 2022- 7,11 National nature reserves 1,2,3 2025 Historical pollution 7,11 National parks 1,2,3 Air pollution Untouched forest 1,2,3 7,11 Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 37 Ministry of Green Transition Plastics Action Plan 7,11 Agreement on a Green Denmark 1, 2, 3, 8, 10, 14, 16, 20 Climate Forestry The Climate Act 8 National Forestry Programme 10 Forest Plan 8 Fishing Chap. 4 - Sectoral Integration of Nature and Maritime Plan Agreement 10 Biodiversity Integration and the circular economy Coastal fisheries scheme and 10, 16 coastal fishery label National Circular Economy 15,16 Grant schemes under the Euro- Action Plan pean Maritime and Fisheries 10, 14 Fund National Strategy for Public 16 Procurement Cities Eco-design 15,16 Green map of Denmark 12 Waste targets 16 Business and Biodiversity Climate plan for a green waste Biodiversity partnership 7,16 15 sector and circular economy Companies’ sustainability repor- Agriculture, forestry and fishing 15 ting Agriculture Taxonomy 15 Agreement on Agriculture 2021 10 Deforestation ban 10, 15 CAP Plan 2023 (Pillar I organic agriculture schemes and condi- 10 Companies and genetic resour- 13 tions) ces CAP Plan 2023 (Pillar II - multian- Genetically modified organisms 17 10 nual commitments) Data 21 The Ecology Strategy 14 Food Waste Strategy 2024-2027 16 Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 38 Ministry of Green Transition Chap. 5. Global Action Danish green aid Support for nature and biodiver- Cooperation with WWF on ‘Sca- 19, 20 3,10,15,22 sity through development aid ling Up Sustainable Soy’ Support for biodiversity through Danish civil society Cooperation with the authorities on water, the circular economy 20 Strategic Partnership Agree- and waste 1, 2, 3, 8 ment with Forests of the World Subsidies Strategic Partnership Agree- 1, 2, 3, 8 ment with WWF Denmark Environmentally harmful sub- sidies: 8th Environment Action 18 Partnership Agreement with Programme IWGIA (International Working 22, 23 Group for Indigenous Affairs) Energy subsidies and COP 28 18 Development aid for multilateral funds and organisati- Positive incentives for biodiver- ons 18 sity UN Decade on Ecosystem Resto- 2, 3, 19 ration UNEP (UN Environment Pro- 1, 7 ,8, 19 gramme) International Union for Conser- 8 ,11, 19, 22 vation of Nature (IUCN) Support for the Global Environ- ment Facility and the new Global 19 Biodiversity Framework Fund Support for the secretariat under the UN Convention on Bio- 19, 20, 22 logical Diversity New international forestry and 3 ,10 ,19, 22 nature initiative Fostering corporate responsibility in global value chains Cooperation with the World Ben- 15 chmarking Alliance Support for IDH - The Sustai- 11,15, 22 nable Trade Initiative Ministry of Green Transition / National Biodiversity and Action Plan 2024 39