News

Copenhagen aims to be the World's first CO2 neutral capital city

17 March 2009

Copenhagen has set itself the ambitious target of becoming, by 2025, the world’s first CO2 neutral capital city. Within just 16 years, Copenhagen’s total contribution to CO2 emissions is to be reduced to zero.

Copenhagen’s seven mayors are today launching the city’s new climate plan. This comprises 50 specific initiatives to achieve the city’s target of a 20 % reduction in CO2 in the period 2005-2015. With this plan, the mayors are also formulating an ambition for Copenhagen to be CO2 neutral by 2025.

"We are launching an ambitious plan containing very specific initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions significantly. We are inviting the business community and the city's inhabitants to work closely with us to demonstrate that the growth of the city and climate-friendly initiatives go hand in hand", says the Lord Mayor, Ritt Bjerregaard.

Wind turbines, electric and hydrogen-powered cars and the refurbishment of schools and institutions

The climate plan’s specific initiatives are wide ranging. Six of them have been designated as so-called 'lighthouse' projects. The aim is for Copenhagen’s streets to be humming with electric and hydrogenpowered cars, which park for free and recharge on street corners. The City of Copenhagen is making a substantial investment in a wind turbine project, which will allow citizens to invest in green energy and, by using biomass, the energy from power stations will be CO2 neutral. There is equally a focus on the next generation. Copenhagen children need to be raised to be climate-aware citizens and have the benefit of eco-refurbished schools, institutions and sports facilities.

"The global climate has presented us with a challenge: We must and will decrease CO2 emissions considerably. We could opt for the cheapest or the easiest solutions. But we are going for the green solution and the solutions that also create a healthier city. Because this is an investment in the future", says Klaus Bondam, Mayor of the Technical and Environmental Administration.

An ambitious host city

Copenhagen is focusing not only on reducing the city's own CO2 emissions. There is also a strong ambition to take the lead and influence the rest of the world. In December 2009, the city is hosting no fewer than three climate summits:

• The UN’s COP15, at which the heads of state will try to reach an agreement on a global climate strategy
• The Climate Summit for Mayors, which will put the role of cities on the agenda. The world’s cities account for 80 % of CO2 emissions, and the solutions to climate challenges must therefore be found primarily in the cities. This summit is being organised by the City of Copenhagen in association with the two city organisations, C40 and ECLEI.
• The Children’s Climate Change Forum is being organised in association with UNICEF and will bring together young people from around the world.