Denmark’s Liberal government is planning to drop national emission goals introduced by the previous administration and to cut 340 million kroner (€45.5m) of green funding over 2016-2019, the Information newspaper reported on Tuesday, citing leaked Treasury documents.

The documents suggest the government will drop its current goal of 50% of electricity consumption from wind in 2020 and to phase out coal and oil-fired power plants by 2030.

It will also replace its 2050 target for 100% renewable energy and zero fossil fuel-based energy with a goal to be independent of fossil-based energy in 2050, the Information said.

This could potentially allow the Denmark to power some of its economy with thermal generation while exporting an equivalent amount of renewable generation.

Amid a government-wide effort to rein in spending, Climate Minister Lars Christian Lilleholt had already said last month his government won’t propose new policies to help meet a domestic goal to cut GHGs 40% under 1990 levels by 2020, with existing measures on track to achieve a 37% cut.

By Ben Garside – news@carbon-pulse.com