Several parties are now criticizing Transport Minister Thomas Danielsen's (V) description of a new flight route between Aalborg and Copenhagen as "green". The planes on the route will only use 50 percent of the so-called green fuel, because it is not permitted to use 100 percent. In addition, there is criticism that the chosen fuel is not actually climate-friendly.
- It is a big joke that the Minister of Transport keeps calling the domestic route green, says the Green Party's climate spokesperson, Leila Stockmarr.
She adds:
- It is only 50 percent, and that part is even Chinese frying oil, which is not entirely green either.
The green domestic route was initially launched in Mette Frederiksen's (S) New Year's speech on January 1, 2022. Since then, both the S government and the SVM government have tried to realize it, and on Wednesday the Ministry of Transport announced that the airline Norwegian will open the route between Aalborg and Copenhagen from March 1, 2026.
The Denmark Democrats are also dissatisfied.
- This is very far from what the Prime Minister promised, and it just proves that this is much more symbolic politics than anything else, says the party's transport spokesman, Kenneth Fredslund.
- 800 million kroner of taxpayers' money has been spent on this, and it wouldn't surprise me if the fuel ends up being imported Chinese frying oil.
When the two rapporteurs mention Chinese frying oil, they are talking about the so-called second-generation biofuel. It can consist of organic waste, and using it as fuel has been criticized by experts for not being a good long-term climate solution.
Minister rejects criticism
Since the launch of the route in 2022, the changing governments have been challenged by the fact that it is not currently legal to fly on 100 percent of this fuel. The limit is 50 percent. That is why Transport Minister Thomas Danielsen rejects the criticism.
- We fly as legally as the police allow, so to speak, says the minister.
He points out that it is globally unique that you fly with such a high proportion of biofuel. In addition, this route is not the final destination. Instead, it should be a stepping stone that prepares infrastructure and stimulates demand for more sustainable fuels in the future.
- I believe that this helps to support a position of strength for the green transition, because we agree that this is a stepping stone to something that will be even better, he says.
/ritzau/
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