Guldborgsund Municipality has set the ambitious goal of being CO2-neutral by 2050 at the latest, with an interim target of 80 percent reduction by 2030 compared to 1990 levels (p. 4). As one of 95 municipalities in the DK2020 partnership, Guldborgsund takes responsibility not only for the municipality's own emissions but for the entire geographic area - an approach that reflects the municipality's role as a facilitator of the green transition across sectors and stakeholders. In 2019, Guldborgsund Municipality emitted approximately 550,000 tonnes of CO2 annually, of which agriculture accounted for the largest share at 41 percent, followed by transport at 32 percent and energy at 25 percent (p. 4). This emission pattern reflects the municipality's character as an agriculture-heavy municipality, where approximately 70 percent of the area is used for agricultural production (p. 44). Already today, the municipality has achieved an impressive reduction of 69 percent since 1990 (p. 14), demonstrating that the green transition is well underway. Guldborgsund Municipality's climate challenge is shaped by particular local conditions that distinguish it from many other Danish municipalities. As Denmark's 11th largest municipality by area with scattered settlement and one of the country's longest coastlines at around 325 kilometres (p. 68), the municipality faces unique challenges. The geographic location as a transit area to the ferry crossings at Rødby and Gedser creates large volumes of through-traffic, and the forthcoming opening of the Fehmarn Belt link will further increase traffic pressure (p. 34). At the same time, the municipality is particularly exposed to climate change with many flood-prone areas and high groundwater levels. Among the most significant planned measures are the expansion of renewable energy production by 1 million MWh by 2030 and the establishment of biogas plants to handle 250,000 tonnes of slurry (pp. 46-47). A central project is the 'Grøn Gas Lolland Falster' gas pipeline, where Nordic Sugar - the municipality's largest production company - is connected from 2024 with a target of 50 percent biogas by 2030 and 100 percent by 2050 (p. 29). In the transport area, there is a major focus on electrification of the vehicle fleet, with a target of 40 percent electric cars by 2030 - an ambitious target supported by the Climate Council's recommendations (pp. 36-37). Despite the extensive measures, the municipality honestly acknowledges that there will still be a shortfall of approximately 215,000 tonnes of CO2 in 2050 (p. 17). The greatest challenges are found particularly in heavy transport and certain parts of agriculture, where the technologies for complete CO2 neutrality are not yet mature or economically viable. The municipality addresses this challenge by planning ongoing revisions of the climate plan every four years, so that new technological breakthroughs and solutions can be incorporated as they become available. Citizens' and business engagement is crucial for reaching the targets. The municipality has therefore established a wide range of engagement activities, from the digital platform sammenom.Guldborgsund.dk to physical climate trees touring the municipality and sustainability festivals (pp. 20-21). Through partnership agreements with local organisations such as Landboforeningen VKST and the Bioøkonomisk Vækstcenter, targeted work is being done to create solutions that benefit both the climate and strengthen local business. With this combined approach of technical solutions, political leadership and broad societal engagement, Guldborgsund Municipality is laying the foundation for a sustainable future.

Source: DK2020 Klimahandlingsplan (2023)