Copenhagen carbon neutral by 2025

In December 2009 the eyes of the world were upon Copenhagen during the UN Climate Change Conference. COP 15 was a unique display window for Danish climate solutions and sustainable initiatives. One of these was the vision for Copenhagen to be carbon neutral by 2025.

Ramboll was commissioned with investigating the feasibility of reaching this target. The result is the report “Copenhagen carbon neutral 2025”, which calls for innovative thinking in relation to Copenhagen’s possibilities of having an impact on energy consumption and supply in all of the city’s sectors – from the production of heat and electricity based on renewable energy sources to the citizens’ use of electrical appliances, means of transportation etc. in an energy efficient way.
 
The conclusion is that is it possible and even realistic for Copenhagen to become carbon neutral by 2025 as the city enjoys special conditions making a great reduction in CO2 emissions possible.

A marked decrease in CO2 emissions from all sources until 2025 is expected. The most significant decrease stems from electricity consumption. The greatest contribution to this reduction comes from the expected transition to renewable energy based primarily on biomass and wind in the power sector.

Ideal energy and transport infrastructure

Copenhagen’s extensive district heating network with a connection percentage of as much as 98 per cent also offers great possibilities of drastically reducing the CO2 emission from heat production.

The regional structure of the capital, which is built around the 60-year-old so-called “finger plan” also has a potential to significantly increase public transportation. At the same time the area covered by Copenhagen is relatively small with short distances, making cycling a favourable option.

The Danish tradition of making buildings energy efficient, which means that the energy consumption per square metre of building is relatively low, also contributes to making carbon neutrality by 2025 feasible.