Denmark is well known for its focus on sustainability and renewable energy. While air quality in Denmark is generally good compared to European averages, its location in northern Europe means that it can still be affected by transboundary pollution from neighboring countries.
Danish cities like Copenhagen often rank high on clean air indexes, but traffic, shipping, and long-range pollution from continental Europe remain challenges.
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city, where most of Denmark’s air quality challenges are monitored. Despite being a busy urban center, its AQI levels are usually in the “Good” to “Moderate” range thanks to bike-friendly policies and green transport initiatives.
Air pollution in Denmark comes from both domestic sources and international transport of pollutants:
Denmark has made strong progress in reducing air pollution by introducing low-emission zones in major cities, expanding cycling infrastructure, and shifting towards renewable energy sources like wind power.
The government has also introduced stricter standards for wood-burning stoves and works closely with the EU on cross-border pollution agreements. Danish ferries and cargo ships are increasingly moving towards green fuels such as electricity and hydrogen.
In the past, Copenhagen struggled with high levels of SO₂ and NO₂ due to coal heating and traffic. Since the 1990s, the shift to clean energy and district heating has greatly improved air quality.
Looking ahead, Denmark’s ambition to become climate neutral by 2050 and expand offshore wind energy will further reduce emissions, making Danish air even cleaner.
Denmark is one of the most bicycle-friendly countries in the world, which directly reduces urban air pollution. Combined with its renewable energy leadership and proactive environmental policies, Denmark continues to set an example for balancing urban life with clean air.