Lyngby-Taarbæk Kommune has set an ambitious climate agenda with the goal of CO2 neutrality by 2050 at the latest and a sharpened target of 90% CO2 reduction already by 2030 compared to 1990 levels (p. 11). This North Zealand municipality of 56,088 inhabitants stands out markedly from other Danish municipalities by being both a knowledge centre with DTU and Science City Lyngby and one of the country's leading commercial centres with Lyngby Hovedgade and Lyngby Storcenter (p. 5). The municipality's total CO2 emissions in 2018 were 256,510 tonnes, corresponding to 4.62 tonnes per capita -- significantly below the national average of 8.3 tonnes (p. 9). The energy sector dominates the emissions picture with 71.5% of total emissions, primarily from electricity and natural gas, while the transport sector accounts for 22.4% (p. 9). The remaining sectors -- agriculture, chemical processes, waste and wastewater -- together account for only 6% of emissions, making Lyngby-Taarbæk a typical urban municipality with limited agricultural activity. What is distinctive about Lyngby-Taarbæk's climate challenge lies in the municipality's role as a traffic hub, where the Helsingor Motorway cuts through the area, combined with an affluent population that traditionally has higher consumption and thus a larger CO2 footprint (p. 5). At the same time, the older combined sewer system presents a climate adaptation challenge, as heavy rainfall already today causes overflow into Molleaaen and Oresund (p. 5). The most comprehensive climate initiative will be the district heating expansion, where the municipality in collaboration with Vestforbraending plans to extend the district heating network to 98% of all households by 2030 (p. 12). Vestforbraending is simultaneously to make district heating CO2-neutral through phase-out of natural gas, installation of heat pumps, and capture of CO2 from waste incineration. In parallel, the municipality is focusing on utilising local surplus heat from, among others, Molleaaverket's wastewater treatment. On the transport side, the focus is on promoting cycling, public transport and electric propulsion, supported by the upcoming light rail opening in 2025. The biggest shortfall in the climate plan is the transport sector, which the municipality honestly acknowledges will be "the major challenge for achieving CO2 neutrality by 2050" (p. 11). The final 5% CO2 reduction will require further technological development and national measures for which the municipality does not yet have concrete solutions. This underscores the reality that even ambitious municipalities like Lyngby-Taarbæk depend on national frameworks and technological breakthroughs to reach their climate targets. Citizens and businesses are engaged through concrete offers such as 50% subsidies for home energy audits and energy saving campaigns, while the business community is involved through the Science City Lyngby partnership (p. 7). The municipality has also established a Section 17.4 Task Committee with both politicians and business leaders to drive implementation forward. With its combination of knowledge institutions, engaged citizens and a strong business community, Lyngby-Taarbæk has good prerequisites for becoming a pioneering municipality in the green transition.

Source: DK2020-Klimaplan (2022)