Copenhagen: Denmark could be hit by severe storm surges every three years if the world fails to meet climate targets, broadcaster DR reported, citing data from the Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI). These storm surges, described as '100-year events,' could become more frequent within the next 50 years if global temperatures rise by 2.8C (5.04F).

According to Anadolu Agency, achieving the Paris Agreement's target of limiting temperature increases to 1.5C (2.7F) could reduce the frequency of severe storm surges in Denmark to every six years. Jens Hesselbjerg Christensen, a professor of ice, climate, and geophysics at the Niels Bohr Institute, noted that while the Paris Agreement would still result in increased storm surges, they could be managed with various measures.

DMI data also indicated that if the world continues on its current trajectory, Denmark could experience more heat waves, with five heat wave days per year by the end of the century. Concurrently, the number of frost days is expected to decline. A 1.5C increase in temperature would result in 13 fewer frost days per year, while a 2.5C increase would lead to 21 fewer frost days, and a 4C increase to 34 fewer frost days.

Christensen explained that the absence of frost poses a challenge to trees, as certain bacteria harmful to trees are typically killed by frost. The lack of frost could therefore impact tree health.

The 16th Emissions Gap Report by UNEP highlighted that if all current national climate plans are fully implemented, global temperatures are projected to rise between 2.3C (4.14F) and 2.5C (4.5F) by the end of the century. With existing policies, the increase is estimated at around 2.8C (5.04F).