Area:  Total: 43,094 sq km Land: 42,394 sq km Coastline: 7,314 km Population: 5,356,845 (July 1999 est.) Source: CIA Worldfact Book (1999)

Denmark   Basic Data Contacts CSD Data Other Links Country Contacts Ministry of the Environment Danish Environmental Protection Agency     (Source:  CIA World Factbook 1999)     OCEANS AND COASTAL AREAS Many thanks to the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, the source of the following information. The information was taken from Denmark's submission to the 5th Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (last update: April 1997). For further information on Denmark's social and economic factors, natural resources, and institutional structures see the United Nations System-Wide Web Site on National Implementation of the Rio Commitments National Information for Denmark at:  http://www.un.org/esa/agenda21/natlinfo/countr/denmark/index.htm   The Ministry of the Environment is responsible for the integrated management and sustainable development of coastal and marine areas, including EEZ. The Danish Environmental Protection Agency of the Ministry of the Environment, together with the Ministry of Defence, are responsible for the combatting of oil and chemical pollution. In accordance with national legislation, the general public is involved in coastal planning.  The national policy on oceans is part of the National Sustainable Development Strategy. A programme for the integrated management and sustainable development of coastal and marine areas, including the EEZ exists. All activities under this programme area are rated "important" or "very important". Denmark also has access to a multitude of technologies that serve to identify the major types of pollution of the marine environment from land-based sources. All sewage-related issues are rated "very important" or "important". Some 94 per cent of sewage discharges are subject to secondary treatment and 67% to tertiary treatment. The Danish Government participates in systematic observation systems but not in a mussel watch programme. A database (PLAN-GIS DENMARK) is in place for integrated coastal management with the aim of monitoring the coastal regulations of the Planning Act of 1994. This database contains information on protected areas, habitats and uses of coastal zones. In Denmark, tourism is an important economic sector.  The Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Communication and Tourism are cooperating to strengthen the planning restrictions that regulate development in tourist areas. Considering the importance of tourism at the national level, vacation centres and hotels with floor space above 50,000 m2 are subject to mandatory Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs); there is also the green key, a certificate granted upon efficient use of resources to hotels, vacation centres and camping areas. Regarding the harmonization of standards for tourism nationally and regionally, small businesses are encouraged to create commercial and marketing networks at regional levels. To protect cultural integrity, a special planning department has initiated local demonstration projects on how to strengthen the relationship between local culture and tourism. Regarding construction planning in coastal regions, structures must not exceed 8.5m in the coastal zone of 3km. For structures taller than 8.5m, justification for visual effects is required.  In 1994, an Act on Coastal Planning was adopted. Under this Act, special planning and function justifications are required for permitting building projects in the coastal zone. If such justifications exist, the main rule is to locate behind already existing settlements. At the same time, legislation covering already built-up areas (urban zones) was eased, so that the main emphasis was placed on a quality based incorporation of new constructions in the city viewed in relation to the surrounding coastal landscape. The Act further stipulates that a coastal projection zone in cities be reduced and in some cases removed completely. In summer cottage areas, the protection zone is set at 100 metres, but may be reduced. The protection zone is increased to 300 metres in rural zones. Through the Act on Coastal Planning, Danish coasts are preserved as an important landscape resource, while in the areas where the population is actually living, planning requirements are only imposed when absolutely necessary.  Denmark invested US$4 billion, 2.4% of GNP in the tourism sector.  The fourth conference of ministers responsible for Spatial Planning and Development in the Baltic Sea Region was held on the 22 October 1996. The Ministers adopted common recommendations for spatial planning of the coastal zone in the Baltic Sea Regions. The Common recommendations are divided into three chapters : 1) objectives, 2) recommendations and 3) planning procedures. Furthermore, the Ministers recommend that the Committee for Spatial Development in the Baltic Sea Region monitors the implementation and the results of the recommendations through demonstration projects and reports to the next Ministerial Conference.    Other Links Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR) National information on oceans and coastal areas