Hvidovre Kommune has set one of Denmark's most ambitious climate targets with CO2 neutrality as early as 2045 - five years before the national target. With an 80 percent reduction by 2030, the municipality goes further than the government's 70 percent target, because Hvidovre has particularly good conditions for the green transition. The municipality participates in the DK2020 climate partnership together with 94 other municipalities and has committed to living up to the ambitions of the Paris Agreement. In 2018, Hvidovre Kommune emitted 211,300 tonnes of CO2, equivalent to approximately 4 tonnes per citizen - significantly below the national average of 8.3 tonnes. Heating and electricity consumption by residents and businesses account for two thirds of emissions, while transport makes up a quarter at 24 percent. Other activities, including chemical processes and landfill, account for only 6 percent. Since 1990, the municipality has already reduced its emissions by 45 percent, primarily through conversion of power plants from coal to biomass and increased wind energy. Hvidovre's climate challenge is shaped by the municipality's unique geographic location and business structure. As a flat municipality with clay soil and a high groundwater table, Hvidovre faces water from all sides - from Harrestrup Å, Kalveboderne, and rising groundwater. Amagermotorvejen, Denmark's third most trafficked motorway, creates massive volumes of through-traffic, while Avedøre Holme hosts over 12,000 employees in transport and logistics companies. At the same time, the municipality has five S-train stations and nearly full coverage of collective heat supply, providing special opportunities for the green transition. The most critical measures focus on converting district heating to fossil-free energy sources through partnership with Avedøreværket, Denmark's largest combined heat and power plant. The municipality will also expand the district heating network to cover the entire municipality to phase out natural gas, which today accounts for one third of the heat supply. In transport, the focus is on cycle superhighways, electrification of all bus lines, and installation of charging stations at shared parking areas. For climate adaptation, the ambitious Harrestrup Å Capacity Plan is being implemented with 45 projects worth DKK 1.1 billion together with nine other municipalities. Despite the comprehensive plans, calculations show that in 2045 there will still be a residual emission of 11,000 tonnes of CO2, primarily from passenger cars, industrial production, domestic flights, and landfills. The final percentages require technological breakthroughs in areas such as trucks, construction site machinery, and industrial processes, where solutions are not yet commercially available. The municipality acknowledges that full climate neutrality requires an extra effort beyond the currently planned measures. Citizens and businesses are engaged through concrete partnerships and practical offerings. The municipality offers energy audits for 200 detached houses annually, holds information meetings on replacing natural gas boilers, and establishes bicycle libraries where citizens can try electric bicycles. Businesses at Avedøre Holme are invited to partnerships for 2 percent annual savings on energy and fuel, while Denmark's first energy community in Avedøre engages citizens in local electricity production. Through master plans for climate adaptation, citizens are involved in solutions against flooding in their local areas.

Source: Klimaplan 2045 (2022)