Thisted Kommune has launched an ambitious action plan for the green transition with the goal of becoming climate neutral by 2050 at the latest and achieving a 70% CO2 reduction by 2030. As a participant in the national DK2020 collaboration, the municipality positions itself as Denmark's leader in green energy solutions, built on a strong local tradition of wind power and sustainable energy production. What is distinctive about Thisted Kommune's climate challenge lies in its unique combination of significant natural resources and industrial opportunities. The municipality has considerable areas of carbon-rich lowland soils that historically were wetlands, and these represent both a climate challenge and an opportunity for CO2 sequestration through wetland restoration. At the same time, the municipality's coastal location and experience with wind energy have created the foundation for becoming a test area for the green technologies of the future. The most transformative measures in the plan focus on the establishment of energy zones, where the municipality will designate areas for future green technologies such as carbon capture, hydrogen production and advanced biogas. In parallel, extensive nature projects are planned with the establishment of approximately 1,056 hectares of wetlands on carbon-rich lowland soils and planting of 346 hectares of new forest by 2030. These projects were chosen because they combine significant CO2 reductions with local value creation and support the municipality's vision of building industry on the back of the green transition. The plan honestly acknowledges, however, that there are still major challenges to solve. Many of the planned technologies such as pyrolysis and grass protein extraction are still at the development stage, and the financing of the ambitious infrastructure projects is not yet fully secured. Furthermore, the necessary transition of agriculture and heavy industry requires cooperation with actors over whom the municipality has only limited influence. To anchor the transition locally, the municipality has established Klimaalliancen Thy as a central partner and launched the communication platform 'Grøn Fremtid Thy' to make the green transition concrete and visible for all residents. Businesses are engaged through targeted CO2 mapping and advice on recycling, while residents are involved through information on waste sorting, energy optimisation and participation in local nature projects. The municipality's approach is built on the principle that the transition should not happen at the expense of the people of Thy, but for their benefit through local value creation and new jobs.

Source: Den grønne omstilling - Handleplan 2023 (2023)