Sulphur dioxide pollution in Denmark down drastically this year

Sulphur dioxide levels reduced by up to 60 percent in 2015

Sulphur dioxide air pollution levels in Denmark have more than halved in 2015, according to a new report from the Danish Centre for Environment and Energy (DCE) at Aarhus University.

The report showed that the amount of sulphur dioxide has been reduced by up to 60 percent – most probably due to tougher EU directives that came into effect on 1 January 2015. The directive meant that all ships in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea were forced to reduce their sulphur emissions by 90 percent.

“The year isn’t over yet, and the data we do have has not been quality controlled,” said Thomas Ellermann, the head of DCE’s air quality program. “But we are confident it won’t have an impact on the the 50-60 percent reduction in sulphur dioxide levels we are expecting.”

READ MORE: The hunt is on for maritime polluters

Sniffing out polluters
To ensure the ships adhere to the pollution requirements, the Environment and Food Ministry has intensified its monitoring.

Part of those efforts include the installation of a ‘sniffer’ device on Storebæltsbroen Bridge that reveals any ships sailing under the bridge polluting more than they should. Initial results from the ‘sniffer’ revealed that 98 percent of the ships have adhered to the sulphur dioxide demands.

However, Ellermann did concede that part of the fall in sulphur dioxide levels could be attributed to natural variations in meteorological conditions.




  • Enter Christiania: how the Freetown works

    Enter Christiania: how the Freetown works

    We all know Christiania and have been there at least once. But how does the Freetown work? How are decisions made? Can a person move there? Is there rent or bills to pay? British journalist Dave Wood wrote a reportage on Christiania for The Copenhagen Post.

  • The struggles of Asian women in Denmark’s labour market

    The struggles of Asian women in Denmark’s labour market

    Isha Thapa unfolds her research “An Analysis on the Inclusivity and Integration of South Asian Women in High-Skilled Jobs within the Danish Labor Market”. Thapa describes the systemic and social challenges these women face, ranging from barriers in social capital to cultural integration.

  • Parents in Denmark reject social media monitoring 

    Parents in Denmark reject social media monitoring 

    Most parents in Denmark reject using social media parental controls despite knowing about them. A new study questions the effectiveness of these tools in ensuring children’s online safety.

  • Analysis: we need a different education system for international children in Denmark

    Analysis: we need a different education system for international children in Denmark

    Data analyst Kelly Draper Rasmussen highlights that Denmark sees peaks in international migration during early childhood and high school years. However, with only one international education option, many families are forced to leave to secure different opportunities for their children.

  • Danish Refugee Council to lay off up to 2,000 staff

    Danish Refugee Council to lay off up to 2,000 staff

    After the anticipation from The Copenhagen Post, a press release by DRC has confirmed the plan to lay off thousands of employees in response to the recent halt of foreign aid spending by the Trump administration.

  • Ironic campaign to make California Danish is going viral

    Ironic campaign to make California Danish is going viral

    An ironic political campaign launched by a website called Denmarkification is getting tens of thousands of supporters. Among their testimonials are HCH, Viggo Mortensen, Lars Ulrich, and Margrethe III (Yes, you read that right)