In 1992 the
UN Climate Convention addressed the problem of
dangerous climate changes, which it is the convention's overall
objective to prevent. This led in 1997 to the adoption of the
Kyoto Protocol, which commits industrialised
nations to an average reduction of their greenhouse gas emissions
by 5.2% in the period 2008-2012 compared with 1990 levels.
The EU as a whole is committed to reducing its emissions by 8%
during the period 2008-2012 compared with 1990 levels. For the EU
to reach its reduction targets, in 1998 a political agreement was
reached to divide the burden of reaching this target unequally
amongst member states. This method takes into account: national
conditions, including current greenhouse gas emissions; the
opportunities for reducing them; and the level of economic
development. Denmark has committed itself to a 21% reduction over
the 2008-2012 period.