Samsø Kommune has adopted one of Denmark's most ambitious climate action plans with the goal of becoming a climate-neutral island by 2050. This builds on the island's unique position as the world's first renewable energy island, a status achieved as early as 2004 through local ownership of wind turbines and biomass-fired district heating. Today, Samsø emits 46,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalents annually, corresponding to 3.8 tonnes per inhabitant (p. 5). What is surprising about this inventory is that transport and agriculture dominate completely - the ferries to Kalundborg and Hou alone account for 12,000 tonnes, while agriculture's methane and nitrous oxide emissions contribute 20,000 tonnes (p. 5). Although the island produces four times more green electricity than it uses, the new accounting method that includes all greenhouse gases means that Samsø can no longer call itself CO2-neutral. What makes Samsø's climate challenge entirely unique is the combination of heavy ferry traffic and intensive agriculture on a relatively small island. As a food-producing agricultural municipality, Samsø exports food to the cities, meaning the island can never reach zero with the current accounting method that focuses on the place of production rather than consumption. Added to this is the island's dependence on ferry connections that transport both residents, tourists, and all goods to and from the island. The three most decisive measures in the plan are the establishment of a biogas plant for ferry operation, the retirement of 600 hectares of agricultural land for alternative use, and a major commitment to electrification of transport. The biogas plant alone can reduce emissions by over 11,000 tonnes by supplying both car ferries with locally produced biogas (p. 13). At the same time, the plant processes all manure on the island, reducing methane emissions from livestock production. The retirement of agricultural land for forest, wetlands, or solar panels can contribute a further 3,000 tonnes of reduction, but requires voluntary agreements with farmers. The plan's biggest challenge is the so-called 'shortfall' of 12,000 tonnes in 2050, which primarily stems from agriculture's continued food production (p. 11). Here, the municipality honestly acknowledges that sufficient technological solutions do not yet exist to eliminate all emissions from food-producing agriculture. This requires future breakthroughs in agricultural technology or changed national framework conditions. Citizens and businesses are involved through working groups for each focus area, and the municipality builds on the island's strong tradition of local ownership and community-based solutions. Samsø Energiakademi plays a central role as facilitator, while the agricultural association is a key partner for the extensive changes in the agricultural sector. The plan is updated annually and thoroughly revised every four years in parallel with municipal planning, ensuring ongoing adaptation to new technologies and changed framework conditions.

Source: Samsø Klimahandlingsplan 2020 (2020)