November 30, 2009. Copyright 2009, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Copenhagen Climate conference -- Denmark
By Joanna Griffin

LONDON, November 30, Graphic News:  As host to the 192 nations that will attend the UN summit that will attempt to thrash out a successor to the Kyoto protocol, Denmark has already scored a political coup. The world's eyes will be on the Scandinavian nation and any deal would bear its stamp, but Denmark knows its most important job is to be a role model.

As the clock ticks down to December 7, many have revised their expectations of the summit -- but not Denmark. Its environment minister and summit president Connie Hedegaard insists COP15 can still secure a treaty that would limit the consequences of global warming. So vocal has she been on what she sees as stumbling blocks, namely China and the U.S., that she's been criticised for not remaining neutral.

But Denmark has earned its right to make demands. The nation of 5.5 million people is a giant when it comes to green energy: more than a quarter of its electricity already comes from renewable sources, with renewable energy accounting for around 15 percent of total energy consumption. Since the 1980s Denmark has seen its GDP rise while its carbon dioxide emissions have fallen. Hedegaard is a forceful character under whose leadership the summit will not easily slide into just another international talking shop.
/ENDS