Haderslev Kommune has adopted an ambitious climate plan aimed at achieving a 70% CO2 reduction by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050. With current emissions of approximately 590,000 tonnes of CO2 annually and 10.8 tonnes per capita, the municipality is 25% above the national average, underscoring the need for a targeted climate effort. Agriculture completely dominates the municipality's climate accounts at 58% of total emissions, while transport accounts for 25% and energy for 15%. This distinctive profile reflects Haderslev Kommune's character as a rural municipality with significant agricultural production, where organic lowland soils and livestock production in particular contribute substantially to emissions. The dispersed settlement patterns across the municipality's 29 rural districts and the 60-kilometre coastline along Lillebælt also create unique challenges for both CO2 reduction and climate adaptation. The most comprehensive climate measures naturally focus on the agricultural sector, where the municipality plans to retire organic lowland soils and significantly increase afforestation. At the same time, 80% of livestock manure is to be used for biogas production, which would position Haderslev as one of Denmark's leading municipalities in biogas. In the transport sector, the focus is on transitioning to electric cars and electric buses, including a collaboration with Tønder and Aabenraa municipalities on joint procurement of electrically powered route buses from 2024. Despite the plan's ambitious measures, the municipality acknowledges that there will still be a shortfall of 40,274 tonnes of CO2 reduction in 2030 and as much as 127,684 tonnes in 2050 to reach the targets. Particularly in agriculture, new technologies such as feed additives that can reduce methane emissions from cattle by up to 30% are awaited. This so-called 'gap' underscores that the climate plan is a living strategy that must be revised every four years with new solutions. Citizens and businesses are engaged through several channels, including the established climate committee with representatives from agriculture, business and civil society. A fair on green transition is planned for 2023, and a youth climate council is being established to involve young people in the climate work. At the same time, partnership agreements are being made with the municipality's three district heating companies and agricultural organisations to ensure broad support for the transition. Climate adaptation receives significant attention with projects such as 'Vores Kyst' for coastal protection of Kelstrup and Hejsager beach and cloudburst protection of Jomfrustien in Haderslev town centre. These investments are intended to ensure that the municipality becomes climate-resilient while also reducing emissions, so that Haderslev can maintain its position as an attractive municipality for settlement and business in the green transition.

Source: Klimaplan 2022 - 2050 (2022)