Helsingør Kommune has long been one of Denmark's most ambitious climate municipalities, and with the new climate and sustainability plan for 2020-2030, the city is significantly sharpening its targets. The municipality aims to become CO2-neutral as early as 2045 - five years before the national target - and will reduce CO2 emissions to just 1.7 tonnes per citizen annually by 2030 (p. 4). This is a remarkable ambition for a municipality that currently stands at 4.3 tonnes of CO2 per capita (p. 4), which is already considerably below the Danish national average of nearly 9 tonnes. The municipality's total CO2 emissions have already fallen by 36% since 2008, from 6.8 to 4.3 tonnes per citizen annually (p. 4). Transport represents the greatest challenge, contributing approximately 2 tonnes of CO2 per capita, which corresponds to almost half of total emissions (p. 17). District heating currently covers 49% of heat demand and in 2017 emitted approximately 44,000 tonnes of CO2 in total (p. 23), while individual heating with oil and gas boilers accounts for a further 51% of heat demand and approximately 47,000 tonnes of CO2 annually (p. 26). Helsingør's coastal location with sea on two sides makes the municipality particularly vulnerable to climate change, but also creates unique challenges for CO2 reduction (p. 34). Ferry traffic to Sweden, significant tourism and a dispersed settlement structure make the transport challenge greater than in many other Danish municipalities. At the same time, the municipality's role as a tourist destination means there is extra focus on presenting itself as a green and sustainable city that can attract climate-conscious visitors. The most decisive measures in the plan focus on three main areas. First, Helsingør Kraftvarmeværk is being converted from natural gas to biomass, which commenced in 2019 and will eliminate a large portion of CO2 emissions from district heating production (p. 23). Second, 90% of all homes are to be heated with fossil-free heat sources by 2030, requiring a massive replacement of oil and gas boilers with heat pumps or district heating (p. 26). Finally, 20% of all passenger cars are to be electric, plug-in hybrid or hydrogen vehicles by 2030, supported by comprehensive expansion of charging infrastructure (p. 29). Despite ambitious plans, the municipality honestly acknowledges that significant challenges remain. Transport remains the most difficult area, and the plan concedes that "petrol and oil consumption in the transport sector" is among "the most difficult areas to achieve targets for by 2030" (p. 5). To close the remaining CO2 gap, the municipality is considering compensatory measures such as afforestation, purchase of CO2 credits or investments in climate-friendly projects elsewhere (p. 6). Citizens and businesses are engaged through concrete partnerships with organisations such as Energi på Tværs, the One Planet Living project and local trade businesses (pp. 43-44). The municipality is planning comprehensive information campaigns, energy audit offers and the establishment of climate ambassadors in schools and businesses. With a total climate budget of DKK 24.6 million over four years, Helsingør demonstrates that the municipality is prepared to invest significantly in the green transition and create a model for other Danish coastal towns.

Source: Plan for klima og bæredygtighed i Helsingør Kommune 2020-2030 (2019)