Rudersdal Kommune has set an ambitious goal to become climate neutral by 2040 - ten years ahead of the national target. With a target of 85% CO2 reduction by 2030 compared to 1990, the municipality positions itself at the forefront of the green transition. This is not merely symbolic politics, but a necessary response to the climate changes already being felt in the municipality's unique landscape of hills, lakes, and 7.5 kilometres of coastline to Øresund. Rudersdal's current CO2 emissions of 300,000 tonnes annually (p. 7) are distributed almost equally between three main areas: heating (36%), electricity (30%), and transport (29%). This differs markedly from many other Danish municipalities due to the absence of heavy industry and significant agriculture, which creates both advantages and challenges. The advantage is that the municipality can focus on areas where citizens and local businesses can make a difference themselves. The challenge is that solutions require extensive behavioural changes from the municipality's resourceful but also transport-intensive residents. What makes Rudersdal's climate challenge distinctive lies in the municipality's geography and demographics. With large protected nature areas and conserved landscapes, opportunities for local renewable energy production are limited. At the same time, the hilly terrain with 620 lakes and complex water systems means that climate adaptation becomes particularly important - not least when DMI predicts up to 150% more cloudbursts (p. 33). However, the municipality's residents have already demonstrated climate engagement with an electric vehicle share of 5.6% compared to the national 2% (p. 22), and 75% park on their own property, which provides good opportunities for home charging. The three most crucial measures concern heating transition, electric vehicles, and plastic sorting. Conversion of the municipality's approximately 12,000 oil and natural gas boilers to either district heating or heat pumps alone can reduce emissions by 50,000 tonnes of CO2 annually (p. 17). In parallel, the electric vehicle share must reach 50% by 2030, supported by the municipality's charging station strategy. At the same time, 80% of plastic must be sorted from waste incineration, which can save an additional 23,000 tonnes of CO2 (p. 18). These measures have been chosen because they target the areas where Rudersdal has the greatest CO2 emissions and at the same time real local influence. Honesty must also be mentioned: even with all planned measures, solutions will be lacking for 28,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions in 2040 (p. 51). This 'shortfall' primarily stems from transport, where not all fossil cars are expected to be converted to electric, as well as remaining plastic incineration. The municipality acknowledges that the solution may require CO2 storage at Norfors' waste incineration plant or compensating projects outside the municipal boundary - technologies that are not yet mature. Citizens and businesses become key actors through new forms of collaboration such as 'transition communities' and climate ambassador networks. DTU Science Park, with its 300 companies and goal of CO2 neutrality by 2050, leads the way for the business sector. The municipality facilitates through its upcoming citizens' assembly on circular economy and 'green visits' to local businesses. It is a recognition that the municipality's own share of just 3.5% of total emissions (p. 7) requires everyone to take responsibility. Rudersdal is betting on its residents' capacity for action and the strength of its community associations to create change that reaches far beyond the municipal boundary.

Source: Klimahandlingsplan for Rudersdal Kommune 2022-2040 (2022)