With 2.8 tonnes CO2 per person annually, Copenhagen’s carbon emissions measured per capita is now one of the lowest among the European capitals.
Copenhagen is well on target to become the world’s first carbon-neutral capital in 2025. In 2014, Copenhagen had reduced its carbon emissions by 31% compared to 2005 levels and is thus well ahead of the city’s mid-term goal to cut carbon emissions by 20% by 2015.
In the same period, Copenhagen experienced sound economic growth as well as a considerable population growth and, as a result, carbon emissions per capita decreased more than for the overall city.
Wind, biomass and intelligent transport systems and street lighting
From 2013 to 2014 alone, carbon emissions decreased by 13%, largely due to more biomass in cogeneration and the integration of more wind energy into the grid.
A recent evaluation of Copenhagen’s climate efforts points out that the Municipality of Copenhagen invested DKK 650 million (EUR 87 million) in climate initiatives in the past three years such as improving the conditions for the city’s cyclists, replacing traffic signals and introducing intelligent transport systems and new energy-saving street lighting.
The evaluation also points out that the city’s need for climate investment amounts to DKK 2.7 billion (EUR 360 million) including investment in energy retrofitting of buildings and green transportation.
To ensure that the municipality sets the right priorities for its climate investments, Copenhagen has appointed a climate panel consisting of some of Denmark’s leading climate experts. The panel will meet four times a year to give input on the municipality’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions as well as provide a status of the progress towards the goal of becoming the world’s first carbon neutral capital.
