With its Climate Strategy 2025-2050, Assens Municipality has set a clear direction for the green transition in a municipality deeply shaped by agriculture and rural life. The goal is ambitious: at least 70% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 and full climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest. As a participant in the DK2020 collaboration through the Climate Alliance with C40 and CONCITO, the municipality has committed to meeting the Paris Agreement standards while maintaining focus on a fair distribution of the burdens and benefits of climate action. In 2022, Assens Municipality emitted a total of 412,000 tonnes of CO2e, corresponding to a reduction of only 17% since 1990. Agriculture dominates the emissions profile at 42% of total emissions, closely followed by the transport sector at 37%. The energy sector accounts for 17%, while waste and wastewater account for 1%. This distribution clearly reveals that Assens' climate challenge lies primarily in agriculture and the private car use that characterises a rural municipality with many small towns and a dispersed road network. What makes Assens' situation unique is the close link between the municipality's identity and its greatest climate challenges. Pig farming is a key industry, and the extensive lowland soils along the Little Belt represent both a significant source of emissions and an opportunity for nature restoration. The municipality's location on the Little Belt, where oxygen depletion is already a pressing problem, gives the climate effort an extra dimension, as retiring farmland along the coast can contribute to both CO2 reduction and improved water quality. Among the most innovative measures in the plan is the so-called Assens Model for land retirement, an effective approach to taking agricultural land out of production and converting it to nature through voluntary dialogue with landowners. This model is expected to reduce agricultural emissions by 60,000 tonnes and has already attracted national attention. Additionally, the municipality aims to be self-sufficient in renewable energy by 2030, phase out all oil furnaces by 2030, and make district heating entirely fossil-free. In the transport sector, the municipality has already made significant progress with electric vehicles, where 60% of new registrations are electric. Despite the many initiatives, there is a significant shortfall of 100,000 tonnes of CO2e that current local measures cannot cover. The transport sector represents the greatest challenge, as the dependence on private cars in rural areas is difficult to address without better public transport. The establishment of a commuter rail network in West Funen is a long-term goal but requires national investment. The upcoming national CO2 tax on agricultural production from the Green Tripartite Agreement is expected to contribute, but its full effect is still uncertain. Citizen engagement is a cornerstone of Assens' climate strategy. Through the innovative Everyday Climate Summits, households are invited to calculate their own CO2 emissions and create personal reduction plans. These meetings, held in collaboration with local councils and libraries, make climate action concrete and tangible for individual citizens. Climate partnerships with local businesses and ESG advisory services through Udvikling Assens ensure that the business community is also on board for the journey towards climate neutrality.

Source: Klimastrategi 2025-2050 (2025)