Slagelse Kommune has set the ambitious goal of becoming climate neutral by 2050 and reducing CO2 emissions by 70 percent as early as 2030. As one of the municipalities participating in the DK2020 climate collaboration, Slagelse demonstrates how a geographically large municipality with 180 kilometres of coastline and dispersed settlement can tackle the climate challenge. With a city council resolution in October 2020, the municipality committed to following the Paris Agreement's targets and developing concrete actions both to reduce emissions and adapt to the climate changes already underway. In 2018, Slagelse Kommune emitted approximately 571,000 tonnes of CO2, equivalent to 7.24 tonnes per inhabitant. Since 1990, emissions have fallen by 29 percent, which is slightly below the national average. The transport sector accounts for the largest share at 45 percent of emissions, followed by energy and heating at 34 percent and agriculture at 18 percent. Particularly challenging is that 42 percent of transport emissions come from through-going traffic on the West Motorway, over which the municipality has limited influence. At the same time, the dispersed settlement with many individual dwellings in the open landscape makes wind turbine planning complicated. Slagelse Kommune's climate challenge is characterised by the municipality's role as a transport corridor between Zealand, Funen, and Jutland, as well as the large agricultural area that comprises 68 percent of the municipality's total area. Lowland soils make up only 2 percent of the agricultural area but still account for up to 19 percent of agriculture's total emissions. At the same time, the long coastline provides both opportunities for wind energy and challenges with rising sea levels and storm surges, which the municipality has already experienced through several floods in Korsør, Skælskør, and the holiday home areas. Among the most significant planned initiatives is the expansion of green district heating, where Envafors is to phase out oil and gas boilers by 2030. The Nordskoven project, where the municipality in collaboration with Naturstyrelsen establishes 300 hectares of public forest north of Slagelse, is to contribute to CO2 sequestration while providing residents with a new nature and recreational area. Additionally, the municipality will convert both ferries to Agersø and Omø to electric operation, making them some of the country's first fossil-free island ferries. Hashøj Biogas is being significantly expanded from 20,000 to 90,000 MWh annually and can later reach up to 160,000 MWh. Despite the climate plan's comprehensive measures, the municipality openly acknowledges that reductions equivalent to 45,000 tonnes of CO2 in 2030 and 104,000 tonnes in 2050 are still lacking to fully meet the targets. The transport and agriculture sectors in particular will continue to contribute significant emissions, as many of the necessary technological solutions and national framework conditions are not yet in place. The municipality therefore focuses on continuously working with new opportunities and supporting citizens and businesses in the green transition. To ensure broad support for the climate effort, the municipality launches a cross-cutting dialogue process within the organisation in 2023 and invites new collaborations with climate partnerships, climate ambassadors, and a Youth Climate Council. Energitjek Slagelse has already helped over 1,500 citizens with free energy advice, and the programme is now being expanded to also cover small businesses. At the same time, a fund is established where citizen groups in villages can apply for support to explore options for shared local heating solutions. The climate plan's success depends to a large extent on citizens, businesses, and the municipality working together on concrete solutions that benefit both the climate and create value for the local community.

Source: DK2020 Klimaplan - Klimaneutral og klimarobust kommune i 2050 (2022)