Varde Kommune has set ambitious climate targets with a vision of becoming climate neutral and climate resilient by 2050 at the latest. As Denmark's fifth-largest municipality by area, Varde faces particular challenges in the green transition, where the municipality's dispersed settlement and dominant agricultural sector require tailored solutions. With the climate action plan from 2022, Varde Byråd has committed to reducing climate gas emissions by 70 percent by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, supporting both the Paris Agreement and the Danish Climate Act. Today, Varde Kommune emits 854,318 tonnes of CO2e annually (p. 16), corresponding to 17 tonnes per inhabitant - seven times as much as a resident of Copenhagen Municipality (p. 17). This high level of emissions is primarily due to the municipality's particular business structure, where agriculture accounts for a full 69 percent of emissions (p. 17), while energy comprises 19 percent and transport 10 percent. Since 1990, the municipality has already achieved a reduction of 36 percent (p. 16), mainly thanks to greener district heating and electricity production. Varde Kommune's climate challenge differs markedly from other Danish municipalities due to the dominant agricultural sector and the large geographic extent. The municipality is home to one of the country's largest dairy cattle herds and simultaneously bears responsibility for protecting the UNESCO World Heritage Wadden Sea and the vulnerable coastal areas along the North Sea. The local climate risks are already noticeable - Varde Å overflows its banks more frequently, groundwater levels are high in several places, and holiday home owners experienced serious consequences in 2019 from the combination of high groundwater and heavy rainfall. Among the most significant planned measures are the phase-out of all oil and gas boilers by 2030, the establishment of climate partnerships with agriculture to test new technologies, and an ambitious target of 20 percent of the municipality's area consisting of forest by 2100 (p. 25). The afforestation effort is particularly strategic as it simultaneously contributes to CO2 sequestration, groundwater protection and climate adaptation. Additionally, the municipality aims to significantly expand renewable energy production and establish better infrastructure for green transport in a municipality where large distances have traditionally made car use almost indispensable. The plan honestly acknowledges that the planned measures do not fully close the gap to the 2030 target, where a reduction of 64,463 tonnes of CO2e is still needed (p. 33). The agricultural sector in particular, which accounts for the vast majority of emissions, depends on technological breakthroughs that are not yet commercially available. The shortfall of 351,756 tonnes of CO2e in 2050 (p. 33) underscores the need for continuous development of new solutions, particularly in power-to-X, carbon capture and alternative foods. To involve residents and businesses, the municipality has established a direct communication channel via klima@varde.dk and holds annual Green Ideas Meetings where the local population can contribute concrete proposals for the climate effort. Through partnerships such as Grønt Netværk Varde, local businesses are supported in the green transition, while a green local community fund is intended to enable turning citizens' climate ideas into reality. The municipality has also established climate partnerships with agricultural interest organisations to ensure a constructive dialogue on the sector's future development.

Source: Klimahandlingsplan (2022)