Learning from DK2020

LEARNING FROM

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PILOT MUNICIPALITIES TOWARDS CLIMATE NEUTRALITY AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE

October 2021 Editor and design Kathrine Østergaard Wehrs, researcher, CONCITO Editors Anna Esbjørn, Head of Program, CONCITO Inge Nilsson, Senior Consultant, CONCITO Henrik Gudmundsson, Senior Consultant, CONCITO Tobias Johan Sørensen, Climate Analyst, CONCITO Laura M. V. Knudsen, Project Assistant, CONCITO Publisher CONCITO - Denmark's Green Think Tank Læderstræde 20, 1201 København K, Denmark Photo Claus Fisker DK2020 The report is funded by Realdania as part of the DK2020 project. The conclusions and recommendations of the report are solely the professional judgement of the CONCITO secretariat.

Foreword In 2019, 20 Danish municipalities became part of the DK2020 pilot project, committing to develop climate action plans in line with the Paris Agreement. The plans will show how the municipalities aim to become climate neutral and climate resilient by no later than 2050 and include ambitious interim targets. The goals are knowledge-based and cover all sectors within the municipalities' geographical area.

The DK2020 work project is based on C40's international standard for climate planning, the Climate Action Planning Framework, and follows in the footsteps of the most climate-ambitious cities in the world. However, the Danish DK2020 municipalities have not only applied the international standard but have also further developed the work on local climate initiatives, serving as an inspiration for several types of cities and municipalities both in Denmark, the Nordic countries, and the rest of the world, including rural municipalities.

The association Realdania is behind the DK2020 pilot project together with the international city network C40 Cities and CONCITO – Denmark's Green Think Tank. Since the start, DK2020 has grown into a large partnership consisting of Realdania, KL – Local Government Denmark (the association and interest organisation of the 98 Danish municipalities), and the five Danish regions, with CONCITO and C40 acting as knowledge partners. At present, 95 Danish municipalities are part of DK2020.

This publication presents inspiring examples from the first 20 municipalities' climate planning in DK2020. The municipalities can each provide inspiration with their respective climate planning and initiatives – but also with their collaboration in DK2020, which has created a platform for knowledge and experience exchange and at the same time a common vision and direction for the Danish municipalities' contribution to implementing national climate goals and the Paris Agreement.

In Realdania, we are pleased that DK2020 has contributed to so many Danish municipalities being inspired by C40 cities and finding meaning in working within a common framework for climate action. Through this, the municipalities show us – and the whole world – decisive and action-oriented climate leadership. We look forward to further cooperation in DK2020 – Climate Action Plans for all of Denmark.

Pelle Lind Bournonville Head of Projects, Urban Climate Action, Realdania

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CONTENTS Introduction to DK2020 …………………….………….………. 4 7 Inspiration from the frontrunners……………………………….

Climate neutrality …….……………………………..…... 8 11 Climate resilience …………………………………….…….

13 Inclusion and wider benefits …………………………...…..

15 Collaboration and governance……………………….………

19 Learning from DK2020……………………………….………

20 In the footsteps of DK2020 ……………………………………...

The plans in practice ……………………………………………..

24 28 Recommendations …...…………………………………...........….

32 Methodology…………….……………………………..………….…

”

A municipality without a climate plan is like a ship without a rudder.

- Søren Hermansen, Director of Samsø Energy Academy

INTRODUCTION TO DK2020

Introduction to DK2020

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20 MUNICIPALITIES LEAD THE WAY In 2019, 20 Danish municipalities joined as participants in the DK2020 project, which was initiated by Realdania in collaboration with C40 Cities and CONCITO. The goal of DK2020 was, and continues to be, to help the municipalities initiate climate action planning with a level of ambition that is aligned with the Paris Agreement's most ambitious goal of limiting global warming to a maximum of 1.5 degrees.

DK2020 has its background in the report Deadline 2020, which was published in the wake of the Paris Agreement in 2016 by C40 Cities and the consulting agency Arup. The report points out that the world's cities and municipalities can contribute with up to 40% of the CO2 reductions needed to achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement. Since the report, C40 Cities has developed the Deadline 2020 programme to support and to provide a framework for the work of the now 97 member cities to develop climate action plans that live up to C40 Cities' global standard for Paris-compatible climate action planning – Climate Action Planning Framework (CAPF).

The 20 selected Danish municipalities have now developed, updated, or adapted their climate action plans to be Paris-compatible, based on the C40 Cities' global standard.

In DK2020, the municipalities have been given the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of some of the world's most climate-ambitious cities.

At the same time, the 20 Danish municipalities have gained experience with the use of CAPF in a municipal context, providing an inspiration for smaller cities and municipalities internationally.

The 20 participating municipalities have thus become frontrunners both in Denmark and globally and have made international climate history.

The purpose of this publication is to highlight particularly inspiring examples from the participating municipalities' climate action planning, so that other municipalities and cities in Denmark, the Nordic countries, and internationally can learn from the DK2020 municipalities' experiences. In addition, the publication presents the results of CONCITO's evaluation of the DK2020 pilot project.

”

The truly great benefit of DK2020 is that it is now well over half of the Danish municipalities that aim for very ambitious goals and interim targets.

- Simon Kjær Hansen, Fmr. Managing Director , Climate Solutions and Networks, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group

Introduction to DK2020

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INTERNATIONAL Planlægning af klimatiltag i CLIMATE PlanlægningSTANDARD af klimatiltag i af klimatiltag i overensstemmelse med Parisaftalen 01 Planlægning C40 CLIMATE ACTION PLANNING FRAMEWORK

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C40 CLIMATE ACTION PLANNING FRAMEWORK

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C40 CLIMATE ACTION PLANNING FRAMEWORK

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01 01

overensstemmelse med Parisaftalen overensstemmelse med Parisaftalen In DK2020, the municipalities' climate action plans have

been approved as living up to C40 Cities' global standard fork Paris-compatible climate planning.

C40 Cities En lim a h a n d lin g s p la n er et strategis k dokument (eller defines en rækkeaplaner og dokumenter), der En k lim a h a n d lin g s p la n er et vil s trategis k dokument (eller en planer og dokumenter), der vis er, hvordan en kommune leve op til as sinaforpligtels e tilrække at håndtere klimaforandringerne.

Paris-compatible climate action plan strategic En k l im a h a n d li n g s p la n er of et vil strategis k dokument (eller en række planer og dokumenter), der vis er, hvordan en kommune leve op til sin forpligtels e til atkrevet håndtere klimaforandringerne.

C40 definerer en kompatibel klimahandlings plan s om bes nedenfor. document (or aParis series plans and documents) that deliver vis hvordan enParis kommune leve op til sin forpligtels e til atkrevet håndtere klimaforandringerne.

C40 definerer en kompatibel klimahandlings plan som bes nedenfor. oner, the following four keyvil elements.

C40 definerer en Pariskompatibel klimahandlingsplan som beskrevet vil nedenfor.

En klimahandlingsplan skal: Kommunen gøre dette ved at:

En klimahandlingsplan skal: Kommunen vil gøre dette ved at: En klimahandlingsplan Kommunen vil gøre dette ved at:ukt ion 1 Ud vikleskal: et hand ling sf orløb , d er skal Bet rag t e klim at ilp asning og red Climate neutrality 1 vikle tet hand ling sf orløb , d erm skal ragning t e klim ilp asning ukt ion viserUdvejen il en klim aneut ral kom une af Bet ud led er at som et samog letred hele og A must develop toifiled delivering viser tg il ang en klim aneut ral kom unea pathway af ud ning er som et sam letred hele og indclimate en udaction enplan 2050, id ent c ere g ensid e afhæng ig hed er, 1 Udvejen vikle et hand ling sf orløb , dinklusiv erm skal Bet rag t e klim at ilpig asning og ukt ion aviser by the end of af ind enitvejen gil ang enmunicipality 2050, inklusiv id ent ifiled cincluding ere g ensid igekt e afhæng er, amclimate-neutral b iøseud dtelm d2050, er kan forb resom eambitious et en bhed eg og ge enål.klim aneut ral kom m une ud ninged er et ivit sam let afig hele am b d elm ål.en d er forb ed re erisici ivit et en afig bhed eger. ge ele og m inim invest ering ind enit iøse ud g ang 2050, inklusiv id entkan ifi c ere gere ensid igekt e ved afhæng er, interim targets. elekan og m inim invest am it nskuelig iøse d elm ål. hvord an kom m unen d er forb edere re erisici ektved ivit et en afering b eger. ge 2 bA g øre 2 A nskuelig gtøre hvord an kom m unen d ele og mejd inim ere risici vedvid invest ering er., p lanlæg g er at ilp asse sig og forb ed re Ud arb e en ensb aseret Climate resilience p lanlæg at gsd tøre ilpyg asse sigan - over og forb eddre Ud arb ejd ee 8 og enrealiserb vidar ensb aseret sin mnskuelig odgsterand thvord ig hed forunen e inklud erend p lan for, 2 A kom m A climate action plan must demonstrate howinklud municipality plans sin m odgsterand yg over forbed dre erend p lan for, klim aforand ring er, dt ig erhed kan e åd e atthe oparb nå g ennem g realiserb rib endvid e ar st rukt urelle p lanlæg at sd t ilp asse sig -ram og m forb Ud ejd ee 8 og en ensb aseret to and improve resilience hazards both future klim aforand ring dt ig erhed kanits ram me at opilling nå g ennem ribenow end e and st rukt urelle nu adapt og i frem t idsd iger, e klim ascenarier. om st er bgåd red ukt ionsog sin m od st–and yg over forb åd de e – to climate inklud erend e 8p åog realiserb ar pin lan for nu og i frem t id iger, e klim om st er pen å und bgåd eend red ionst ilp asning hensynt agurelle en og t il climate scenarios. klim aforand ring d er ascenarier. kan ram m e b åd e at opilling nå ssid g ennem riber e ukt st rukt tkom ilp asning ssid hensynt agred enere t il unens eføjelser enionsb nu i frem t id ig elokalsam klim ascenarier. om stmilling er bpen å und b åder e og red d ukt og 3 og Eng ag ere fund et og menhæng unens 3 Eng agdere lokalsam fund et e og sam m ,eføjelser d en år i.d en b tkom ilp asning ssidben undind er gog hensynt agred enere t il b eskrive eand sociale, m iljøm æssig Inclusion derived effects sam m d en ind gog år i.d en b red ere b eskrive dere e g sociale, iljøm 3 Eng ag lokalsam fund et e ier, og kom menhæng unens b ,eføjelser økonom iske evinst ermog mæssig erværd A climate action plan must engage with the sam local community and outline the wider økonom iske g evinst og erværd , d ent ransp ind g år i. meskrive an kan eermsom følg ee ier, af Etm abenhæng lere en arent p roces b d e forvent sociale, iljømmæssig og social, environmental, and economic ​that cane be from m forvent følg emier, af benefits en p roces økonom iske g evinst er som og m erværd iman p lemkan ent ering af pelanen og være ed t il Et atab lere følg opexpected ptåransp og arent kom m unikere im p lem enten ering af pplan. være ed tgilennem følg eequitable op ptaf åransp og kom m unikere implementing Itog must also an distribution ofag these t il an at sikre ret the færd ig ford eling af e dmisse f ørelsen parent lanens t ilt m kan forvent elanen som følg afhelp to ensure Etatab lere en p roces tgilevinst at sikre ret færd ig ier fordt og af dcommunities. p lanens t ilt agi im p lem enten ering p lanen være misse ed tg ilennem atopfølg p af å ap og komning m unikere er og m erværd ileling ind byg g ere og df ørelsen at e ereop klim lanlæg en wider benefits ​taf o residents and er en ogfund m erværd ind byg ere og op df ørelsen at ere klim aped lanlæg nings-en og overensst em m else st yring tg ilevinst atlokalsam sikre ret færd ig ier fordt ileling af dgisse g ennem afm p lanens t ilt og agi og lokalsam overensst em m else st yring rap p ort ssyst emm er.ed g evinst er ogfund m erværd ier t il ind byg g ere og op ering d at ere klim ap lanlæg nings-en ogi Collaboration and governance rap p ort ering er.ed st yring s- og og overensst em ssyst m elseemm 4 lokalsam Beskrivefund kom m unens b eføjelser og A climate action plan must detail powers capacities as well 4 Beskrive kom unens b eføjelser og rap p ort ering ssystand em er. kap acit et sam t d em sam arb ejd sp art nerthe e, municipality's kap acit et t desewho sam arb ejd sp art nerog e, as partners be engaged to ensure the achievement of the d erthe skal indsam d rag atmust sikre ind frielsen 4 Beskrive kom mfor unens b eføjelser d skal d rag at sikre ind frielsen kap acit sam tklim des e for sam arb ejd sp er art ner e, resilience goals. aferkom metind unens am ålsæt ning ind en municipalities' mitigation targets and af unens am ålsæt ning er ind en for bskal ådmeind red ion ogat klim at ilp . d erkom d ukt ragklim es for sikre indasning frielsen forkom b ådmeunens red uktklim ion am og ålsæt klim at ilp asning . af ning er ind en It is within these four key elements the following chapter will present inspiring examples from for b åd e red ukt ion og klim that at ilp asning .

the first 20 municipalities that have participated in DK2020.

Selv om d er ikke er et b est em t form at eksist erend e p laner såvel som nye. Den kan være Selv om ahand d er ling ikkesp lanen er et, bskal est em talleformdate eksist laner såvel Denog kan være for klim ret t et erend m od oe pent lig hed en som i b ådnye. e st ørre m ind re for klim ling sperlanen date ret t et. erend m od oehver lig hed enkom i b åd e st ørre og m ind re ovennævnt ed er elem ent g, å bi skal d okum ent at ion g rad Mens by eller mnye. une sand synlig vis Selv om ahand ikke erindet est em talle form eksist pent laner såvel som Den kan være ovennævnt e elem ent erlanen g, å i skal d kan okumalle g eller kom mud une sand synlig af klim ap lanlæg ning en . ind Planen bent estat å ion vilrad e forskellig t ilgen ang ør am bm it ioner, for klim ahand ling sp daf e ret tvælg et. Mens m od ohver entby ligehed i be, åd e stgørre og indvis re af klim ap lanlæg ning . ind Planen kan bent est å ion af vil vælg e forskellig ilg ang g ør b it ioner, ovennævnt e elem ent gent å i d okum at g rad . Mens hver og byeeller kome, une sand synlig vis et enkelt sam lend e en derokum eller en række frem skynd else gtennem fm ørelse afam konkret e Iud have been happy with et sam lend eent d Framework okum entkan eller en frem skynd else og gtennem f ørelse Climate Action Planning (CAPF) d elpenkelt laner d okum er.

Den om fat t erække båådaf e t ilt ag nøg enteer i klim lanlæg ning . e af klim apog lanlæg ning en . Planen kan b est vil vælg e leelem forskellig ilg angap e, ud g ør af amkonkret ben it ioner, CAPF. It is clear that all the d elpenkelt laner og d okum er. Den om fat b åd e climate t ilt agskynd nøg leelem ent er i klim ap lanlægaf ning en . e et sam lend eent d okum entkan eller ent erække frem else og g ennem f ørelse konkret – an international standard for planning experience gathered in C40 is d elp laner og d okum ent er. Den kan om fat t e b åd e t ilt ag nøg leelem ent er i klim ap lanlæg ning en .

”

an addition to the previous With6.CAPF, developed framework planning Med ”am bC40 it iøse” Cities m enes mhas ål, som fører t il et b rata / konst ant fald i ud for led ning af d rivhusglocal asser, afhæng ig t af d en p åg æld end e by eller kom m unes climate plans, which have ud Med ledaction. ning bygmgenes er sam t b rut t onat ionalp rod ukt/ konst (BNP) ind ibyg ga er.ning climate CAPF presents the basic elements ofled Paris6. ”ampbr.it ind iøse” m ål, som fører t il et b rat antp r.fald ud af d rivhusg asser, afhæng ig t af d en p åg æld end e by eller kom m unes ud led ning p r. ind byg g er sam t b rut t onat ionalp rod ukt (BNP) p r. ind byg g er. on climate compatible action divided into 6. beføjelser it iøse” m” enes m ål, som fører il etkont b rat / konst ant i ud led ningb org af dmrivhusg asser, afhæng ig t (fx af dblargely en p åg æld endier) efocused byogeller kom m unes 7. Med Ord et”am ”bclimate refererer tplan il g rad en taf rol ellerthree ind flfald ydpillars: else, som est re har over akt iver usser, cykelst funkt ioner (fx mitigation so far and not

1.

2.

3.

ud led r. ind byg”,garealp er samlanlæg t b rut onat ionalp rod ukt (BNP) p r.fl yd ind byg gsom er.m unens økonom vikling ning p åaft værs af alle eller kom sekt 7.

Ordning etisk ”bpud eføjelser refererer t il tg rad)en kont rol ellerbyens ind else, b org m estorer. re har over akt iver (fx b usser, cykelst ier) og funkt ioner (fx økonom isk ud vikling , arealp lanlæg ning ) p å t værs af alle byens eller kom m unens sekt orer.

7.

Ord”inklud et ”b eføjelser il g rad en af kont eller ind flerydinvolveres else, somi pblanlæg org m est re sp har over aktat iver (fxikkens b usser, cykelst ier)ogog funkt ioner 8. En er end e” ”p refererer lan sikrer, tat en b red g rup p erol int eressent ning rocessen, p olit ud form ning g ennem f ørsel(fx er økonom iskog ud ,parealp lanlæg )red p åg trup værs eller kom unens sekt orer. retEn færd ig ilend at e” forst å og at g evinst ved klim atalle ilt agbyens ene er ford eles lig m elig .

8. ”inklud ert vikling lan sikrer, at ning en berne p eafint eressent involveres i pt lanlæg ning sp rocessen, at p olit ikkens ud form ning og g ennem f ørsel er

Commitment to climate goals and collaboration considered the other aspects.

Identifying challenges and opportunities It is a more mature way of ret færd ig og t il at forst å og at g evinst erne ved klim at ilt ag ene ford eles lig elig t .

8.

En ”inklud er end e”and p lan sikrer, at en b red g rup p eof intcomprehensive eressent er involveres i pstructural lanlæg ning sp rocessen, at p olit ikkens ud form ning og g ennem f ørsel er Acceleration implementation working with climate. ret færd ig og t il at forst å og at g evinst erne ved klim at ilt ag ene ford eles lig elig t . measures

Read more about CAPF here.

- Tina Unger, Program Manager Food, Business, and Sustainability in Lejre Municipality

INSPIRATION FROM THE FRONTRUNNERS

Inspiration from the frontrunners

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CLIMATE NEUTRALITY In DK2020, the municipalities have pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by no later than 2050 and to set ambitious interim targets.

Being a climate-neutral municipality is defined in DK2020 as follows: ▪ Net-zero emissions from energy consumption in buildings, transport, agriculture, and industry (scope 1) ▪ Net-zero emissions from the use of grid supplied energy (scope 2) ▪ Net-zero emissions from waste generated within the city limits (scope 1 and 3) ▪ Whenever possible, minimised greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to emissions occurring outside the city boundary as a result of goods and services consumed by city residents, businesses and government (scope 3).

Local ferry service converted to biogas from agriculture Samsø Municipality describes the establishment of a biogas plant on the island as the most important single action, which, by producing fuel for the island's two car ferries, can halve emissions from the transport sector. In addition, the biogas plant helps to reduce agricultural emissions of methane gas from livestock. The municipality’s goal is that all slurry is treated in biogas plants by 2025. The establishment of the biogas plant is a major investment considering the municipality's size, but the local production of fuel will ensure stable fuel prices and the creation of local jobs. In addition to the biogas plant, emissions from agriculture will be reduced, e.g. by extracting agricultural land for afforestation or wetlands. In addition to the shift to biogas, emissions from the transport sector will also be reduced by converting buses and refuse collection vehicles to biodiesel.

Three GHG inventories and the phasing out of biomass

Goals and interim targets

Køge Municipality’s “DK2020 Climate Plan” presents three different GHG inventories. In addition to one for the municipality as a geographical area, both one including emissions from biomass incineration is presented as well as one including international emissions to visualise the possibility for actions reducing the municipality’s global climate footprint. The municipality addresses the emissions in the two additional GHG inventories with a number of measures and estimates their effects on reduction. To create a climateneutral heat supply, the municipality is working on a future district heating system based on renewable energy sources such as solar heating, large heat pumps, and geothermal energy. The municipality is already working on this, i.e. by using surplus heat from a local factory.

The municipality will engage in dialogue with VEKS and Borup Varmeværk for the work, and, in its timeframe, the municipality has taken into account the long lifespan of the current biomass plants.

Most of the municipalities have set reduction targets for their geographical area in line with the Danish Climate Act's 70% target in 2030 and net-zero target in 2050. However, four municipalities have set a target of being climate neutral before 2050. Frederiksberg Municipality will be climate neutral in 2030, Aarhus Municipality in 2030, Roskilde Municipality in 2040, and Helsingør Municipality in 2045.

In addition to these overall goals, many municipalities have set interim targets for the individual sectors, e.g. increased production of renewable energy by 2030.

”

DK2020 has deepened the long-term perspective on what will happen after 2029. ProjectZero focuses on CO2 neutrality in the energy system, while DK2020 is about climate neutrality everywhere by 2050 at the latest.

- Marie Grove Ingildsen, Civil Engineer / Urban Planner in Sønderborg Municipality

Inspiration from the frontrunners

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Reduction measures Annual binding climate targets and repaid climate debt in 2050 In 2008, Aarhus City Council set a goal of being a CO 2-neutral urban community by 2030. In April 2020, the City Council adopted a decision on binding annual climate targets. With the decision, the City Council commits to take further action if annual climate goals are not met. The binding annual targets are based on a scenario prepared by an external company and shows the effect of a number of known actions. In addition to binding targets, the City Council also agreed to prepare a climate strategy towards 2030 and a climate plan for 2021-2024 to implement the binding targets. After 2030 and until 2050, the municipality is working to pay off CO2 debt via carbon capture technology based on the view that all emissions after 2018 constitute a built-up climate debt. In order to achieve its goals, the City Council has further decided to prioritise the known options along with carbon capture rather than compensation through the purchase and cancellation of emissions allowances.

Greenhouse gas inventories and scenario work In DK2020, via GHG inventories and scenario work, the municipalities have outlined reduction paths leading up to the year of their goal of climate neutrality for the municipality as a geographical area.

The municipalities have typically set up a business-as-usual scenario, a scenario that includes the effect of the reduction measures in the climate action plan, and a scenario for their targets. The scenario work provides clarity on the reductions achieved with the current reduction measures nationally and locally – both existing measures and the new, planned measures in DK2020.

In the evaluation of the project, the municipalities were asked to what extent their participation in DK2020 contributed to more updated and comprehensive GHG inventories (see Figure 1). On a scale of 110, their answers averaged 7.6.

The municipalities had methodological freedom when developing GHG inventories and scenarios. The municipalities have – to varying degrees – used consulting companies to support their work, which as an example included making a number of assumptions for dealing with uncertainties about technological and political developments leading up to the target year, but also considerations about the best use of available data within the various sectors.

In their climate action plans, the municipalities have presented concrete measures that will contribute to achieving the goal of climate neutrality. As prescribed

by CAPF, the municipalities have focused in particular on the sectors with the largest sources of emissions (see Figure 2). Below are examples of reduction measures within the sectors and for the municipality as a company.

Energy and buildings E.g. solar cell systems (for roofs or open fields), wind turbines (sea and land), energy efficiency, and building renovation. Additional measures presented were for example low temperature district heating and phasing out of oil- and gas fired boilers.

Transport and mobility E.g. deployment of charging infrastructure, more and improved cycle paths, including cycle superhighways. In addition, a shift to fossil-free public transport, promotion of carpooling, for example via apps as well as optimisation and conversion of delivery vehicles to fossil-free fuels.

Agriculture and land use E.g. rewetting of carbon-rich peat soils, afforestation, and partnership agreements with agricultural businesses and organisations. In addition, a shift to climate-friendly forms of agricultural operation and experiments with biochar.

The municipality as a company E.g. energy efficiency measures and renovation of municipal buildings, reduction of food waste, green procurement policies, and plans for circular economy. In addition, conversion of the municipality's vehicle fleet to fossil-free fuels.

Active work for transition to electric cars and cycling In Frederiksberg Municipality, sustainable mobility is in focus. The aim is to be Denmark's number one electric car city, and also to have the highest percentage of trips made by bike. The vision on electric cars stems from their electric car strategy from 2019 and has inter alia been concretized as a charging guarantee, so that citizens will be able to charge their electric car within 250 meters of their home by the end of 2021. Another initiative focuses on parking conditions by reserving a number of parking spaces on public roads for electric cars. The number must be 50% more than the number of registered electric cars and plug-in hybrids in the municipality. The vision of increased cycling is concretized with initiatives such as better cycle paths, the installation of 1,200 new bicycle parking spaces, and by reducing car parking norms for all types of housing and businesses. The municipality's focus on mobility also applies to public transport, which will be electrified.

Figure 1: To what extent would you say that the participation in DK2020 has contributed to more up-to-date and comprehensive GHG inventories?

Inspiration from the frontrunners

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Residual emissions As required by CAPF, the municipalities have calculated the residual emissions in their respective target years for climate neutrality understood as the remaining GHG emissions after all technically and economically feasible measures have been implemented. The municipalities all have redisual emissions in their target year after the currently planned initiatives. The municipalities in particular identify the transport and agricultural sectors as sources of the remaining emissions.

The municipalities have different starting points in the mitigation efforts, and it has proved more challenging for the municipalities to reduce within certain sectors. For example, agriculture is a major source of emissions where production is located, and municipalities with a lot of agriculture are challenged with finding effective actions due to the relatively immature technologies and lack of regulations from the national level and the EU. The municipalities also face barriers in their work to make a green transition in the transport sector.

Catalogue of local measures prepared by advisory committee In January 2020, Helsingør City Council decided to set up a climate committee to support the municipality's "Vision 2030" to promote nature, make sustainable choices, and act climate-friendly. The climate committee was established to support the municipality's mitigation efforts by uncovering and discussing opportunities and local measures to reduce companies’ and citizens' GHG emissions. The climate committee has held five meetings, and the work has resulted in a local catalogue of initiatives. In the work of developing the catalogue, there was a focus on housing and buildings, private transport, public transport, integration of modes of transport, and heavy transport. The purpose of the establishment of the committee was to strengthen cooperation between city council politicians, citizens, and the business community and to ensure active cooperation in implementing climate plans and initiatives.

The calculation methods vary among the municipalities, as such the size of their residual emissions may not be readily compared, as it is based on different assumptions and data.

The municipalities must work actively to reduce their residual emissions, and the climate action plans must be revised at least every five years, which involves updating GHG inventories and scenarios and of the calculation of residual emissions.

Focus on the transport sector in general For years, Lolland Municipality has focused on leading in demonstration and development of renewable energy sources and storage options. In developing their "Climate and Energy Plan 2020-2050," they focused on new and challenging areas, including the transport sector. With agricultural machinery and four ferries, transport is a significant source of emissions in the municipality. With the construction of the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel from Lolland to Germany, traffic further increases – and thus GHG emissions. The municipality has planned a number of initiatives, and several are already in progress. For example, electrification of the local rail line in collaboration with the rail operator Lollandsbanen before 2030, and examination of options for purchasing electric ferries in future tenders. Other initiatives focus on transitioning to CO2-neutral fuels in road transport, on increasing alternative modes of transport such as shared vehicles, and the construction of a new and bicycle-friendly station.

Figure 2: To what extent would you say that the participation in DK2020 has contributed to more targeted reduction measures within sectors with the most emissions?

During the work to revise the plans, the municipalities must keep up to date on new technologies and any changes internally in the municipalities and in national regulations for climate action.

Biomass and the global climate footprint In DK2020, the municipalities have also shown examples of going further than what was required in CAPF. For example, several municipalities address the fact that the consumption behaviour of the municipality, of companies, and of citizens has a global climate footprint outside of the municipality as a geographical area (scope 3).

Several municipalities have measures in place to address these emissions, for example in public procurement strategies or through information campaigns for citizens. In Køge Municipality, there is a focus on both scope 3 emissions and on biomass in district heating.

According to the UN's calculation methods, biomass is defined as climate-neutral, but since actual sustainable biomass is a limited resource, CONCITO and others recommend that biomass consumption in Denmark be significantly reduced compared to today. In addition, CONCITO recommends changing the calculation methods, so that biomass is not defined as climate-neutral in the future. It is important that municipalities and utility companies accelerate the transition to a future in which heat production is increasingly electrified and the use of biomass is significantly reduced.

They should also be prepared for changes in regulations and the way in which emissions are defined.

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CLIMATE RESILIENCE According to CAPF, a climate action plan must demonstrate how the municipality will adapt and improve its resilience to the impacts of climate change both now and in the long term. Consequently, the municipalities have set goals and interim targets for their climate adaptation efforts.

With the financial agreement in 2013, the municipalities committed to prepare climate adaptation plans as part of, or as a supplement to, their municipal plans. The work and experience with climate adaptation have varied from municipality to municipality depending on the degree of vulnerability.

CAPF prescribes that, where possible, the risk scenarios should be based on either local standard methods or, as a minimum, one of the IPCC's intermediate emission scenarios (RCP 4.5).

The municipalities have thus had to ensure an updated data basis for their climate adaptation efforts. In addition, the risk assessment must encompass all the potential risks, including the entire water cycle.

Climate adaptation in collaboration with key stakeholder and experienced utility company Allerød Municipality developed their existing "Action Plan for Climate Adaptation" from 2017 in close collaboration with the inter-municipal utility company Novafos. The municipality and Novafos have collaborated on climate-proofing the municipality's sewer system for many years. Likewise, in the preparation of "Climate Plan 2020," there has been a systematic involvement of the utility company which is considered a key player in climate adaptation. In parallel with DK2020, a comprehensive analysis was carried out of the rainwater and wastewater management in the municipality, supplemented with analyses of the consequences of climate change for rural land areas.

A detailed development plan is expected to be ready in 2021, which will both identify areas of risk and be used in dialogue with Novafos on how to jointly ensure holistic water management – across infrastructure, watercourses, and natural areas.

High groundwater levels used in district heating – synergy between adaptation and mitigation Høje-Taastrup Municipality aims to phase out oil and natural gas in all buildings in the municipality in 2030 by expanding district heating and installing individual heat pumps. The district heating company Høje Taastrup Fjernvarme works on transitioning to greener district heating, e.g. by shifting to low-temperature in parts of the municipality and by utilising heat from groundwater. In Høje-Taastrup Municipality, high groundwater levels are the biggest challenge related to climate adaptation. The challenge is addressed through partnerships with companies, utility companies, researchers, and other municipalities to ensure innovative solutions. In 2016-2017, the municipality initiated a project in collaboration with Høje Taastrup Fjernvarme that utilises heat from groundwater and lowers groundwater levels at the same time. The pumped-up groundwater is led into a newly installed electric heat pump, which is expected to cover 4% of the district heating consumption in the municipality.

The municipalities have been waiting for data and tools from the national government, which were made available by the end of 2020. In the DK2020 pilot project, the municipalities therefore only had the opportunity to carry out strategic reviews of their existing initiatives and climate adaptation plans but have committed to update and adopt their climate adaptation plans by the first quarter of 2022. As 18 out of 20 municipalities have used this option, no examples are presented in this section directly from the DK2020 work.

Instead, a number of inspiring examples from the municipalities' climate adaptation work over a number of years are highlighted, including before DK2020.

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Progressive climate adaptation with Mike Urban modelling Roskilde Municipality has worked on climate adaptation for years with a focus on water. In 2013, the City Council adopted their "Strategy for Water and Climate Adaptation" with objectives based on thorough mapping and analysis of climate hazards from the entire water cycle in the municipality (streams, lakes, fjords, groundwater, rainwater, and wastewater). In June 2020, the City Council adopted a new "Water and Climate Adaptation Plan" with 26 actions for the period 2020-2023. Being the third action plan in a row, it builds on the strategy from 2013 and has been developed in close collaboration and dialogue with the utility company Fors Ltd, the fire service Roskilde Brandvæsen, and private stakeholders. Fors Ltd is considered a key player and has been a close part of the working group. The municipality's risk mapping is based on Mike Urban modelling, which takes local precipitation and terrain conditions, rising sea levels, and the capacity of the sewer system into account.

The strategic reviews have provided the municipalities with a basis for updating their climate adaptation plans to comply with CAPF, both in terms of updated data as a basis for calculating risk scenarios and impact assessments, but also in terms of securing the other core elements in a climate adaptation plan, such as inclusion and wider benefits ​as well as collaboration and governance.

Synergies between mitigation and adaptation In addition to updates and initiatives to become a climate-resilient municipality, CAPF prescribes a focus in climate planning on possible synergies between mitigation and adaptation efforts.

”

It is new for us that we have to think about climate adaptation and mitigation at the same time.

We have not done it before, although we have talked about possible synergies.

-

Jacob Skjødt Nielsen, Green Ambassador in Køge Municipality

In the strategic reviews, the municipalities have stated that they will focus on considering possible synergies when updating the climate adaptation plans.

The municipalities say the same in the evaluation of the DK2020 pilot project, in which it is also emphasised that it is new and challenging to integrate mitigation and climate adaptation efforts, which are often located in different places within the administration.

”

The good thing about DK2020 is that the stormwater management plan and climateproofing have been linked to mitigation efforts, so that the importance of climate adaptation becomes clear.

- Anne Adamsen, Civil Engineer in Albertslund Municipality

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INCLUSION AND WIDER BENEFITS Citizens must be involved in the preparation of the climate action plans, and it must be described what wider social, environmental, and economic benefits ​are expected to follow from the implementation of the plans. In addition, the plans must help to ensure a fair distribution of the wider benefits.

The municipalities have approached the work with inclusion and wider benefits in different ways, but a common feature is that they have drawn to a large extent on their existing experience and ways of working with wider benefits. For example, many municipalities – who have also worked with the UN Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) – have used these as a way to operationalise and think in terms of wider benefits. Several of them have translated the way of thinking in terms of wider social, environmental, and economic benefits ​into different types of sustainability that are incorporated into their climate action planning.

Sustainable urban development provides wider benefits for the general population Albertslund Municipality is facing a transformation where large parts of the city are modernised and new urban areas developed. In line with the values ​in the municipal planning strategy "More Albertslund," sustainable urban development is a cross-disciplinary element in their "Climate Plan 2050." The climate plan focuses on urban development balanced by climate action and highlights a number of derived qualities or wider benefits ​for the general population, including access to nature experiences, attractive buildings, and water as a recreational value. The purpose of creating wider benefits has also been to attract new citizens to the municipality. Like the municipal planning strategy, the climate plan is based on a set of values ​building on the UN’s 17 SDGs. As such, the creation of wider benefits through the simultaneous consideration of nature and increased biodiversity, innovation, jobs, and a robust economy, as well as health and well-being is in line with the SDGs 15, 8, and 3.

Job creation and growth as a wider benefit of climate action In Frederikshavn Municipality, green transition is to be an engine of growth. With key figures from the Economic Council of the Labour Movement (ECLM) and the United Federation of Workers in Denmark (3F), the municipality estimated the potential for increased employment from their planned reduction measures. With a total public-private investment in climate-friendly projects in 2020-2050 of DKK 23.75 billion, it is estimated that 485 permanent jobs can be created. In addition, it is estimated that 1,831 temporary jobs will be created annually from 20202030. As the municipality is in the process of revising the climate adaptation plan, the employment potential of the adaptation measures has not yet been estimated. For years, a green transition of the energy system has been part of the green growth track in their development strategy in Frederikshavn Municipality. With the City Council's adoption of the development strategy 2020-2024, the green track is expanded to also focus on recycling.

In the evaluation, the municipalities average 7.3 on a scale from 1-10 on the question on how central the work with wider benefits ​and derived effects has been in their DK2020 work (see Figure 3). It can be said from this to have been relatively central to the municipalities.

”

The challenge of working with derived qualitative effects is not to articulate them or write them into a plan. The challenge is that qualitative effects can be difficult to measure.

- Tina Unger, Program Manager Food, Business, and Sustainability in Lejre Municipality

Figure 3: How central has the work with wider benefits and derived effects been in your DK2020 work?

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Growth, skill formation, and education

Climate on the school curriculum Lemvig Municipality considers the dissemination and generation of knowledge as an important element in the green transition.

Accordingly, they have an ambition to raise the level of knowledge on climate in the population at large but focusing in particular on children and young people. With the project “Climate, Technology, and Us,” the municipal primary and lower secondary schools focus on increasing the understanding of subjects of technology. At Lemvig Gymnasium, the first climate students in the years 2020-2023 will complete a number of courses with a focus on climate challenges as part of their upper secondary education programme. As part of the annual climate meeting in Lemvig, Klimatorium, a Children’s Climate Meeting was held for the first time in 2020. It was a virtual meeting with more than 4,000 children mainly from the 4th and 5th grade (9 to 10 years old) from all over the country. In future, the children’s Climate Meeting will be an integral part of the annual climate meeting.

Most municipalities state that they have already worked with wider benefits in the municipality, for example in connection with climate adaptation efforts, e.g. recreational areas and nature in connection with rainwater management. The majority of the municipalities also state that it suits their existing way of working, for instance, considering that investments should return as much value as possible. One municipality further states that DK2020 contributes to maintaining and strengthening the approach. The biggest challenge of working with wider benefits has been the quantification of it, including for the purpose of comparing initiatives. In addition, it has been challenging to assess how big and how valid the effect must be in order to be counted. One municipality states that wider benefits have been an element in the prioritisation of the reduction measures, while another states that wider benefits are also essential for engaging politicians, businesses, and citizens.

Examples of wider benefits in the municipalities' climate action plans are: increased biodiversity, more nature and better access to it, as well as the development of recreational areas through rainwater management. In addition, several municipalities are thinking in terms of growth and job opportunities as well as the development of skills in the green transition (see below). Furthermore, increased health is included in several of the plans, e.g. less air and noise pollution though the promotion of cycling and the electrification of cars.

As already mentioned, several municipalities focus on the fact that the green transition contains a potential for growth, and that there is a need for more green skills. Concrete examples of this include courses for people in the municipality who are unemployed, but there is also a particularly common focus in the municipal climate action plans on educating the next generation to demonstrate greater knowledge on climate and a greener behaviour by making climate change a standard part of the school curriculum in the municipality.

Inclusion Several municipalities apply social and economic sustainability or the UN SDGs when it comes to working with inclusion.

Some have assessed each of the initiatives with equality as a parameter, while others address inclusion on an ongoing basis or in a separate section of the plan.

Several initiatives include wider benefits for all of the city’s citizens, such as recreational areas or increased mobility.

Others focus on specific groups, such as young people or residents in social housing areas. Several municipalities highlight the costs for some groups of citizens in implementing the plan. For example, the phasing out of oil- and gas fired boilers, whether via heat pump solutions, connection to district heating, or by other means, will carry financial costs for homeowners.

Sustainability courses for the unemployed – green skills With sustainability courses, Randers Municipality wants to strengthen the ability of unemployed citizens and entrepreneurs to act as green agents of change in local companies. The municipality collaborates with local companies and integrates the sustainability courses into the new job centre project “The road to jobs,” in which unemployed people are selected and matched with relevant companies with the possibility of upskilling. Jobcenter Randers Erhverv is a central partner in the project, and the upskilling of the unemployed may take place in collaboration with Dania – the Danish Academy of Business and Technology, among others. Furthermore, the municipality will adapt an existing entrepreneurial course to also include sustainability. With the skill formation, better job opportunities are created for the unemployed, and at the same time, more local knowledge about the green transition and sustainable production is developed for the benefit of local companies.

”

We already have a tradition in Denmark of trying to give equal status to people regardless of where they live or what education they have.

- Gunilla D. Ørbech, Biologist in Assens Municipality

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COLLABORATION AND GOVERNANCE To ensure the achievement of the objectives in the climate action plans, the municipalities have had to describe their own powers and capacities and also identify relevant partners and key stakeholders that need to be engaged in order for the plans to be implemented.

Governance and leadership The municipalities have organised their DK2020 work differently, both in terms of where it has been delegated to and how city councils and political committees have been involved. During the evaluation, the municipalities were asked to what extent cross-disciplinary collaboration in the municipality had been necessary. The municipalities average 8.6 on a scale from 1-10 (see Figure 4), and several municipalities clarify that they have collaborated with other parts of the municipality’s organisation. For some, however, the work has been mostly delegated to the Technical and Environmental Administration with collaboration between departments within the administration.

Change management Middelfart Municipality has planned and implemented several management initiatives to integrate climate and sustainability into the everyday actions of the municipality – for example, an initiative to integrate climate and sustainability in all municipal case presentations in order to influence thinking and decisions. The municipality has been working on the initiative since the autumn of 2019. According to climate manager Morten Westergaard, the experience is that it requires time, since it is new for the people who make the case presentations. In order to better equip the employees, monthly training meetings are held, in which both the mayor and the municipal director participate. The advice for other municipalities is to get the top management involved, because political leadership is crucial for change. Another example is that in November 2020, the City Council decided that Middelfart Municipality must consider greenhouse gas emissions in the review of budget proposals from 2021 onwards.

Climate ambassadors throughout the municipality The municipality of Assens has organised the DK2020 work in a climate secretariat and appointed a climate ambassador under each department with primary responsibility for related initiatives. The climate ambassadors have been the climate secretariat’s entry point to the given departments and have been responsible for bringing the initiatives to the relevant political specialist committees for decision.

Following the adoption of the municipality’s “Climate Strategy 20202050,” the organisation with the climate secretariat and climate ambassadors for each department has continued. The climate work is organised on the basis that all political committees, council members, and associated departments have a responsibility. Since the adoption, a climate coordinator has been hired to organise, structure, and run the climate work in the municipality, as well as to mobilise and engage people to start climate initiatives and to ensure that others take (co-)responsibility for progress.

Figure 4: To what extent has cross-disciplinary collaboration in the municipality been necessary?

According to the municipalities, ownership from the entire organisation is essential.

Management must back up and communicate that climate action is a goal and task for the entire municipality. In addition, there should be a clear picture of how different employees are to contribute, including allocated working hours.

Several municipalities state that it is new for many of their employees to work with climate and that it is important to be aware that it is a learning process.

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Climate partnership with agricultural organisations Jammerbugt Municipality has been in dialogue with the agriculture industry for many years, and it has always been the wish to support agriculture in taking climate action. DK2020 has given rise to the establishment of a more formal and strong collaboration with agricultural organisations Agri Nord and Landbonord to combat climate challenges and work together on specific issues. Several politicians, including the mayor, have been involved in establishing the partnership. At present, the collaboration is formalised in a climate partnership agreement that contains seven points on which the parties agree to cooperate. Among other things, the parties agree to set up a steering group to develop the process of climate action in the partnership. Already now, the parties are collaborating on a pilot project involving the rewetting of carbon-rich peat soils, which will give the municipality and the agricultural organisations experience to benefit similar projects.

Involvement of key stakeholders and partners The municipalities describe how they can take the lead on climate action in their own work, but it requires cooperation with and contributions from a large number of key stakeholders in order to achieve the goals of the climate action plans – not only in the implementation but also in the planning phase. In the evaluation, the municipalities have been asked to what extent they feel that they have succeeded in involving relevant stakeholders in their climate planning. On a scale of 1-10, they average 7.5 (see Figure 5), and they clarify that although the year was marked by lockdowns, several of them have had a strong focus on co-creation and involvement.

Figure 5: To what extent do you feel that you have succeeded in involving relevant stakeholders in your climate planning?

”

I call it going from review to co-creation.

- Morten Westergaard, Head of Climate in Middelfart Municipality

It varies with whom the municipalities have focused on creating a dialogue and more binding collaboration and partnerships. In the questionnaire survey, the municipalities listed the key players that they find to be the most important to include in climate planning. Below are the stakeholders that the municipalities have mentioned as relevant to include: ▪ Businesses, both large companies, SMEs, and heavy industry ▪ Knowledge institutions and experts ▪ Citizens and civil society, e.g. climate councils and green associations ▪ Municipal politicians ▪ Employees in other departments and administrations in the municipalities ▪ Utility companies ▪ Interest groups ▪ Transport companies and other stakeholders in the transport sector ▪ Agriculture ▪ The other DK2020 municipalities ▪ Consulting companies, for data basis and mapping of emissions ▪ Neighbouring municipalities ▪ Waste companies ▪ CONCITO

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Community as a driving force for the green transition When asked about their experiences with stakeholder involvement, the municipalities state that they have experienced a great interest and willingness to cooperate.

Several municipalities point out that it is important to involve relevant key stakeholders early in the process, e.g. for input for the initiatives in the climate action plans. Another takeaway is that the involvement ensures that the external stakeholders in the municipality feel a sense of ownership and drive for action.

However, it is also pointed out that it might be easier to engage organisations than citizens to contribute to climate action.

In Lejre Municipality, green solutions will be found in the community and in the drive for action that characterises the 49 small urban communities. The slogan of Lejre is “Our Place,” and the municipality has worked with sustainability for years with the initiative “Lejre, the Organic Municipality”. A passion for sustainability and the ability to inspire as well as the will for change are seen as the drivers of the municipality’s green transition. The goal is 2,000 climate employees in the municipality and 28,000 ambassadors for climate action – all of the citizens, associations, and companies. The climate plan is based on “Our Place” and the 17 UN SDGs and represents a holistic approach to development that integrates multiple bottom lines with social, economic, and natural and environmental conditions. The climate plan is about more than reducing GHG emissions, as the green transition must be holistic and integrated into the existing life and communities in the municipality.

The challenges that the municipalities mention of engaging relevant stakeholders include both resources and time pressure but also the difficulty of dealing with initiatives and areas that have unexpected costs and consequences for those involved, such as phasing out biomass or reducing meat in citizens’ diet.

The involvement and organisation of the collaboration varies both from municipality to municipality, and, especially, from one stakeholder to another. This is partly due to the fact that the municipalities have several roles with various degrees of decision power: the municipality as a company, the municipality as an authority, the municipality as an owner, and the municipality as a facilitator.

Climate action in the spirit of a musketeer with ProjectZero and Sønderborg Forsyning Sønderborg Municipality has worked determinedly for more than 10 years to become a CO2-neutral municipality. The work in DK2020 and the implementation of the climate action plan are organised in a partnership with ProjectZero and utility company Sønderborg Forsyning, whose boards have committed to the “spirit of a musketeer” in partnership statements. ProjectZero was founded in 2007 and is a public-private partnership between Sønderborg Municipality and a number of key stakeholders with a vision to reduce Sønderborg’s energy system emissions to zero by 2029. According to Peter Rathje, the holistic approach of DK2020 is a good match with Sønderborg’s existing and ambitious ProjectZero project. Like DK2020, ProjectZero is not about scaling one kind of solution to reach zero emissions by 2029. The ambition of the DK2020 steering group is that the DK2020 Sønderborg project will strengthen the area’s already existing and ambitious climate efforts in the future.

The municipality as owner Several municipalities describe that through their role as owners, they plan to use ownership strategies of e.g. utility companies to increase focus on the green transition.

Some municipalities have also worked in close collaboration with wastewater management companies on climate adaptation efforts, which they say will continue as they update their climate adaptation plans.

”

One tip is to write action into the partnership agreements with companies.

-

Gunilla D. Ørbech, Biologist in Assens Municipality

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Partnerships

Energy and climate forum emerges from existing business cooperation Fredericia Municipality has worked with climate for many years, and with DK2020, the work of developing a climate plan was extended to include a project manager who had experience from the collaboration with the companies in the municipality. Companies are a major source of the municipality's emissions and became a central focus in the municipality's DK2020 work and in the organisation of it. The municipality's existing collaboration with companies via the business organisation Business Fredericia was linked to the DK2020 work, and the municipality was able to support the organisation's work to develop a business network with a focus on energy and climate. This has resulted in a new energy and climate forum for businesses with a focus on how the green transition can help boost Fredericia and provide jobs and growth opportunities for companies while also contributing to lower CO2-emissions for Fredericia Municipality as a geographical area.

”

We have been met with considerable goodwill from the local agricultural organisations.

They have been very open and accommodating and want to take action now .

-

Arendse Dahlstrøm-Kronborg, Climate Coordinator in Jammerbugt Municipality

As a way to engage companies, agriculture, and others in municipal climate action, several municipalities have established more formalised partnerships, in which the municipality and the partners pledge to work for the green transition.

Citizens and civil society – climate councils and education The municipalities have also focused on engaging citizens in the green agenda. The climate action plans include a number of different initiatives to this end. For example, several municipalities already had community centres that can act as green platforms for citizen engagement. As already mentioned, several municipalities have had a special focus on education and the dissemination of knowledge, including for children and young people in the municipality in primary and lower secondary schools, etc. Several municipalities also had or have since established climate councils, citizens' groups, or committees as more direct interfaces between citizens and municipal politicians.

Commitment from political committees It is important for the climate committee in Vejle Municipality that the work on climate is supported in all political committees. For this reason, the climate committee made all ten political committees start on their own climate action plans. The ten now approved climate action plans show a diverse picture of how to approach climate action in each committee. The Department of Children and Young People works with #greenteams of young climate ambassadors and climate gardens in schools and institutions.

Initiatives for seniors and adults deal with consumption, transport, and food waste in the individual homes, and the Culture Committee will work on sustainable cultural production. The Committee for Local Communities and Local Democracy has distributed funds to a village that wants to be a climate village, and the Technical Committee and the Nature and Environment Committee is about to launch major climate action related to energy, transport, agriculture, and construction. The Finance Committee is responsible for green procurement policy, partnerships with the business community, green tourism, and the management of sustainability for the municipality's employees.

”

The DK2020 project has set in motion a near 01.08.2020 • 4 national movement that I had not imagined even in my wildest dreams.

LEARNING Planlægning af klimatiltag i FROM overensstemmelse med Parisaftalen 01 DK2020 C40 CLIMATE ACTION PLANNING FRAMEWORK

- Pelle Lind Bournonville, Head of Projects, Urban Climate Action, Realdania

C40 CLIMATE ACTION PLANNING FRAMEWORK

01.08.2020 • 4

C40 CLIMATE ACTION PLANNING FRAMEWORK

01.08.2020 • 4

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Planlægning af klimatiltag i overensstemmelse med Parisaftalen

p lanlæg g er at t ilp asse sig - og forb ed re Ud arb ejd e en vid ensb aseret , am b it iøse ål. e som følg e af d erEtkan forb ed re e t ransp ekt ivitarent et en at: af pbroces eg g e m an kan d elm forvent ab lere en En klimahandlingsplan Kommunen dette ved sin m od stskal: and sd yg t ig hed over for d e inklud erendvil e 8 gøre og realiserb ar p lan for dt ileleatog følg m inim ved kom invest er. im p lem entresilience ering af p lanen og være m ed e ere op risici p å og mering unikere Climate klim aforand ring er, d er kan ram m e b åd e at op nå g ennem g rib end e st rukt urelle Asikre nskuelig g øre hvord aneling kom m unen il at en ret færd ig sf ford af dskal issetheir climate g Bet ennem feørelsen af They p lanens t ilt ag Many municipalities have to update adaptation efforts. have carried 1▪2tnu Ud vikle et hand ling orløb , d er rag t klim at ilp asning og red ukt ion og i frem t id ig e klim ascenarier. om st illing er p å b åd e red ukt ions- og pg lanlæg g er ilp asse sigand forb ed re political Udled arbning eer to en et vidlet ensb aseret evinst er og mt erværd ier t-il og ind byg g ere op dejd at ere klim ap lanlæg ning enog ,i out strategic reviews have commitment ensure that the updates viser vejen t ilaten klim aneut ral kom mmade une afog ud som sam hele t ilp asning ssid en und er hensynt ag en t il 8 sin m odud st and sdCAPF, yg t ig hed over inklusiv for d e of riskidinklud og ig realiserb p lan ogen lokalsam fund overensst else star yring s- for og including in terms assessments and impact ind gwith ang en 2050, ent ifimcerend ereemegm em ed afhæng kom unens bensid eføjelser ogassessments, d enigbhed reder, ere 3 comply Eng ag ere lokalsam fund et og klim ringål. er, d er kan ram m e b åd e op nåforb gpossible ennem gwider riber. endet e enst af rukt urelle rap p ort ering em am bpossible itaforand iøse d dat er kan edssyst re b eg ge benefits. sam mand enhæng , deenekt indivit g år i. b eskrive d elm e synergies, sociale, minvolvement iljøm æssig e and og cooperation, nu i frem t idkom ig e m klim ascenarier. om stog illing er ere p å risici b åd evedred ukt ionsog 4 og Beskrive unens b eføjelser og d ele m inim invest ering er.

▪økonom It is new many er of the iske tog evinst og municipalities m erværd ier, to work with the full risk picture, including the t ilp asning ssid en und er hensynt ag en t il et samgtøre d e hvord sam arb sp art ner e, 2kap Aacit nskuelig anejd kom m unen m an kanwater forvent e som følg e af Et ab lere en t ransp arent p roces entire cycle. kom m unens b eføjelser og d en b red ere er skal ind d for at Eng ag lokalsam etfrielsen og p3dim lanlæg erere atrag t ilpes asse sigsikre - fund ogind forb ed arbfølg ejd ee op en ensb , p lemgent ering af p lanen og være mre ed t ilUdat p å ogvidkom maseret unikere sam m enhæng , d en ind g år i. kom mst unens ålsæt ning er ind en bafeskrive dand e sociale, m iljøm æssig e dog sin od sdklim yg tam igig hed over for e inklud erend e 8 og realiserb ar p lan t ilt for tInclusion il atmsikre enand ret færd ford eling af d isse g ennem f ørelsen af p lanens ag wider benefits for aforand b åd eiske red ukt iond er og klim økonom g evinst erkan og at milp erværd ier, klim ring masning e b åd e. atogop nå g ribap end e st rukt g evinst er og mer, erværd ier tram il ind byg g ere op dgatennem ere klim lanlæg ningurelle en i forvent e ascenarier. somamong følg etheafmunicipalities Et ab lere en t ransp arentwith pwider roces ▪m an It was already common before to red work nu i kan frem t id ig e klim om st illing eremDK2020 pm åelse b åd em ionsogog lokalsam fund overensst ed ukt st yring s- og og im pbenefits. lem ent ering af p lanen og være m ed t il asning at følg e en op und p åerog kom m unikere t ilp ssid rap p ort ering ssyst em er.hensynt ag en t il sikre en retwith færd ig ford eling af d isse gmunicipalities ennem f ørelsen p lanens ag the the climate plans, thekom haveafdrawn extent m unens b eføjelser og dto enablarge redt ilt ere 3▪t4il atIn Eng ag work ere lokalsam fund etaction og Beskrive kom mest unens eføjelser og Selv om d er ikke er etexperience b em tt ilb form at g ere eksist erend e pop laner såvel klim sominap nye.

Denning kan en være g evinst er og m erværd ier ind byg og d at ere lanlæg i via on existing and ways of incorporating wider benefits the planning, e.g. sam m enhæng , d en ind g år i. bkap eskrive e sociale, m iljøm æssig e og acitsp etdlanen sam t, d e skal sam arballe ejd sp art for klim ahand ling d ener e,ret t et m od o ent ligem hed i b åd st ørre og ms-indog re og lokalsam fund overensst men else meed st yring the UN SDGs. økonom iske grag evinst er atogsikre m erværd ier, d er skal ind d es for ind frielsen ovennævnt e elem ent er ind g å i d okum ent at ion g rad . Mens hver by eller kom m une sand synlig vis rap ort ering ssyst em er. m kan forvent e ålsæt som følg e aaf Etpab lere en t ransp arent roces ▪afankom DK2020 hasklim helped to maintain broader approach to planning with a focuspon both men unens am ning en af klim ap lanlæg ning . Planen kan bbest å erafindog vil vælg e forskellig e t ilg ang e, ud g ør am b it ioner, 4 Beskrive kom m unens eføjelser im p lem ent ering af og m ed. wider benefits. t il at følg e op p å og kom m unikere social, economic, and environmental for b åd edred uktent ionp lanen og klim atvære ilp asning et enkelt sam lend e okum eller en række frem skynd else og g ennem f ørelse af konkret e acit et en sam d e sam arbeling ejd spaf artdner t kap il atThe sikre rett færd ig ford issee, g ennem f ørelsen af possible p lanens wider t ilt ag municipalities state the been d elp laner og ▪d okum ent er.

Den kan om fat tthat eind b åd e difficulty t ilt ag has nøg not leelem entto er consider i klim ap lanlæg ning en . d er skal ind d rag es for at sikre frielsen g evinst er og but m erværd il ind bygthe g ere og for opuse d at ere ap lanlæg ning en i benefits ratherier to tquantify benefits, e.g. in theklim prioritisation of initiatives. af kom m unens og lokalsam fundklim am ålsæt ning er ind en overensst em m else m ed st yring s- og for bikke åd e red klimt atform ilp asning Selv om d er er ukt etionb og est em at . eksist erend p laner som rap peort eringsåvel ssyst em er.nye. Den kan være Collaboration and governance 6.

Med ”am b it iøse” m enes m ål, som fører t il et b rat / konst ant fald i ud ningret af d rivhusg asser, t af den en pi åg ælde end by eller m unes for klim ahand ling sp lanen , skal alle d eledog t et m od o afhæng ent ligighed b åd steørre ogkom m ind re 4 Beskrive kom m unens b eføjelser ud led ning p r. inde byg g erClimate sam t b er rut t onat rod ukt (BNP) p r.at bygentire g er. gmunicipality, ▪elem action task for the and requires and vis ovennævnt ent ind gdåe sam iis da okum ent ion byiteller kom mmanagerial une sand synlig kap acit et sam t ionalp arb ejd spind art ner e, rad . Mens hver political and commitment.

7. et ”bap eføjelser ” refererer t il d g rad enes af for kontat rol sikre eller fl yd else, org vælg m est re ehar over akt ivere (fx cykelst funkt (fx afOrdklim lanlæg ningind en . prioritisation Planen kan bind est åfrielsen af som bvil forskellig t ilgb usser, ang e, ud gier) ør ogam b itioner ioner, d er skal rag ind Selv isk om d er, arealp ikke erning )etp å t værs b estafem form atkom m unens eksist erend e p laner såvel som nye. Den kan være økonom ud vikling alleten byens eller sekt orer.

▪ kom The municipalities can and want to take the lead, necessary to engage citizens et enkelt sam lend elanlæg d okum entameller række frem skynd elsebutogit isg ennem f ørelse af konkret e af m unens klim ålsæt ning er ind en for klim ahand ling sp lanen , skal alle de ret t et m od o ent lig hed en i b åd e st ørre og m ind re d elp lanerer end ogfor kan fat eerbasning åd e through ilt agpartnerships nøg er ikkens i klimudap lanlæg enf ørsel .in order other relevant stakeholders binding collaboration 8.

En ”inklud e”dpokum lan sikrer, at er. en bDen red g rup p e om int eressent involveres ning sp leelem rocessen,ent atand p olit form ning og ning g ennem er band åd eent red ukt ion og klim attilp . i ptlanlæg ovennævnt e elemogent er ind g å i klim d okum ent at ion gt . rad . Mens hver by eller kom m une sand synlig vis ret færd ig og t il at forst åto at g evinst at ilt ag enemitigation ford eles lig eligand be ableerne to ved achieve the adaptation goals. af klim ap lanlæg ning en . Planen kan b est å af vil vælg e forskellig e t ilg ang e, ud g ør am b it ioner, et enkelt sam lend e d okum ent eller en række frem skynd else og g ennem f ørelse af konkret e 6.elp Medlaner ”am b it iøse” m enes m ent ål, som fører t il kan et b rat / konst ant i ud led ningt ilt af ag d rivhusg afhæng t afi dklim en p åg æld end e byning eller kom.m unes d om e fald b åd nøgasser, leelem entigsåvel er ap lanlæg Selv om og d erd okum ikke erer. Den et b est em tfat tform ate eksist erend e p laner som nye.

Den kanen være

”

ud led ning p r. ind byg g er sam t b rut t onat ionalp rod ukt (BNP) p r. ind byg g er.

for klim ahand ling sp lanen , skal alle de ret t et m od o ent lig hed en i b åd e st ørre og m ind re 7. Ord et ”b eføjelser ” refererer t il g has rad en af kont rol eller indknowledge fl yd else, som b org m est re har play over akt iver (fx b usser, cykelst ier) og funktit ioner (fx DK2020 into shown means for ovennævnt e elem ent er ind g å ibrought d okum ent at ion g rad . Mens hver by and eller kom m une what sand synlig vis økonom isk ud vikling , arealp lanlæg ning ) p å t værs af alle byens eller kom m unens sekt orer. af klim ning ensom . Planen b est å af vilafthe vælg e asser, forskellig e,æld udend g ør am b itkom ioner, ab itlanlæg municipality to climate agenda.

6. Med ”amap iøse” m enes m ål, fører t il etbe b kan rat /ambitious konst ant fald i ud ledon ning d rivhusg afhænge ig tt ilg af dang en p åg e by eller m unes 8. led En ning ”inklud end e” gper lansam sikrer, at ten b red pe int(BNP) eressent involveres p lanlæg ning sp rocessen, at p olit ikkens ud form ning og g ennem f ørsel er ud p r.erind byg onat ionalp rod ukt p r.erind byg g er. ifrem et enkelt sam lend e t db rut okum entg rup eller en række skynd else og g ennem f ørelse af konkret e ret færd ig og t il at forst å og at g evinst erne ved klim at ilt ag ene ford eles lig elig t .

-i Christian Peter Villefrance Ibsen, d7.elp og d okum entt iler.

Den fat tind e bfl yd ådelse, e som tbiltorg ag nøg leelem ent er(fx klim apcykelst lanlæg enioner .

Ordlaner et ”b eføjelser ” refererer g rad en afkan kontom rol eller m est re har over akt iver b usser, ier) ning og funkt (fx Director of CONCITO økonom isk ud vikling , arealp lanlæg ning ) p å t værs af alle byens eller kom m unens sekt orer.

8. En ”inklud er end e” p lan sikrer, at en b red g rup p e int eressent er involveres i p lanlæg ning sp rocessen, at p olit ikkens ud form ning og g ennem f ørsel er

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF DK2020

In the footsteps of DK2020

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DK2020 AS A COMMON PLATFORM In DK2020, the municipalities have created both climate action plans and inspiring initiatives. At the same time, a community of collaborative climate action has been formed between the 20 Danish municipalities. Since then, 75 additional municipalities have started developing climate action plans and the DK2020 community is expanding.

”

DK2020 has helped to create a framework for like-minded people to meet and for ambitious municipalities to be ambitious. It allows mayors to work together, and that is unique.

- Morten Westergaard, Head of Climate in Middelfart Municipality

The municipalities were asked about the cooperation between them in DK2020. On a scale of 1-10, where 1 is bad and 10 is good, they gave an average score of 7.6 (see Figure 6). The municipalities were divided into peer groups, but it is especially the more informal cooperation and discussion that the municipalities highlight in the evaluation. Several municipalities state that the cooperation between municipalities was strengthened with DK2020, which, among other things, strengthened joint advocacy. Others point out that they already had regional working relationships, which, however, are also described as consolidated.

From the very beginning, the ambition was to create a network between the municipalities for peer-based dialogue and discussion on climate action. Several municipalities state that they have found great inspiration in other municipalities that face similar issues as themselves. The collaboration in DK2020 is described by several municipalities as contributing to greater knowledge for their climate work but also as contributing to idea generation in the work of preparing climate action plans based on the common framework of CAPF. More specifically, the DK2020 project managers say that they now know each other and know with whom to exchange ideas.

”

DK2020 has led to new working relationships, and we have consolidated existing relationships with other municipalities.

-

Anja Schaumburg, Sustainability Consultant in Fredericia Municipality

Figure 6: How was the cooperation between the municipalities in the DK2020 pilot project?

”

I had missed something where one could identify with other municipalities and say that we are acting together on this. DK2020 has provided that. It has given us a common platform.

- Arendse Dahlstrøm-Kronborg, Climate Coordinator in Jammerbugt Municipality

In the footsteps of DK2020

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GOOD ADVICE FROM THE DK2020 MUNICIPALITIES In the evaluation of the DK2020 pilot project, we asked the municipalities about their advice to other municipalities that are going to make similar climate action plans. We have compiled their advice in the seven points below. The advice can also be an inspiration beyond DK2020 for other local political authorities and entities that want to develop Pariscompatible climate action plans.

1) Be courageous Both the preparation of climate action plans and the subsequent implementation of them are quite large and – for most – new tasks, and, according to the frontrunner municipalities in DK2020, you have to be courageous as a municipality. This applies both in the accumulation of knowledge and experience from working with new initiatives but also in changing the way that the municipality works with climate. It is also important when engaging in dialogue and entering into partnerships with relevant stakeholders. Venture into it is the message from the municipalities in DK2020.

”

Make sure to engage both politicians, managers, and employees.

Motivation and engagement are the most important things to make a united team.

-

Arendse Dahlstrøm-Kronborg, Climate Coordinator in Jammerbugt Municipality

2) Share and inspire A clear message from several of the first 20 DK2020 municipalities is that the new municipalities should draw inspiration and learning from the pilot municipalities – both from the completed climate action plans but also by reaching out to municipalities that have faced similar issues. In addition, the new municipalities are encouraged to also share their experience and knowledge with each other. Discussion and knowledge sharing are both important for the process, e.g. for understanding CAPF as a framework but also to learn which climate measures have worked for others.

”

Reach out to one of us [pilot municipalities], because we have all been there.

- Anja Schaumburg, Sustainability Consultant in Fredericia Municipality

3) Find highly dedicated individuals and create strong ownership Several municipalities emphasise that it requires people who are highly dedicated within the municipality to drive climate planning and implementation. In addition, the municipalities note that it is important to prioritise building commitment at the political level, as climate action requires 100% support.

”

Find highly dedicated individuals among the employees who can drive the process forward.

- Anne Adamsen, Civil Engineer in Albertslund Municipality

In the footsteps of DK2020

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GOOD ADVICE CONTINUED 4) Climate must become part of the core of the municipality In addition to finding highly dedicated people and establishing political priorities, according to several of the municipalities, it is crucial that climate becomes part of the inner workings of the municipality. They point out that it is necessary to engage people and create broad ownership in the municipality's organisation as a whole. Climate must be seen as a task for the entire municipality.

”

A climate plan must reach all the way into the inner workings of the municipality. Climate is about more than technical policies and has to be integrated into all the life that the municipality is a part of, and which is therefore an area of responsibility for the mayor and the municipal director.

- Tina Unger, Program Manager Food, Business, and Sustainability in Lejre Municipality

5) Set aside funds and build competencies In addition to political and managerial priorities, according to the municipalities, it is important to ensure the resources required not only to develop the climate action plans but also to carry out the plans in the implementation phase. Among other things, it is important to set aside time for stakeholder involvement in the preparation of the climate action plans.

”

A good tip for other municipalities: Set aside funds, so that there are enough resources for employees. Do not spend all the money on consulting assistance but get in-house knowledge that can be used afterwards to follow up on things.

- Jacob Skjødt Nielsen, Green Ambassador in Køge Municipality

6) Engage relevant stakeholders Stakeholder involvement is central to DK2020, and the municipalities have several tips related to it. Several municipalities point out that stakeholders must be involved early in the process, preferably already in the idea generation phase. There should be a close link between efforts and possible partnerships, and if possible, action points should be written into the partnership agreements. It is important to listen to the wishes, needs, and ideas of the other stakeholders.

7) Ownership and clarity prior to implementation Already in the planning phase, there must be an awareness of the implementation phase.

According to the municipalities, a sense of ownership must be ensured among the stakeholders who will contribute to the implementation of the plans, both within and outside of the municipality's own administrations.

There needs to be clarity on who will take forward which actions in implementation, and how progress and follow-up will be ensured.

THE PLANS IN PRACTICE

The plans in practice

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FROM PLAN TO ACTION Following political adoption and approval, the climate action plans must be implemented. CAPF focuses on climate planning setting the course for implementation, especially in relation to shortterm measures. Therefore, the municipalities have both prepared timelines, described the necessary financial resources, and identified barriers to the implementation of the planned initiatives in the climate action plans.

”

The big task now is to get the climate plans out there – for consideration, discussion, a sense of ownership, and for action.

People need to personally feel the urgency and do something that has an impact. Necessity arises when people can see and feel why.

- Søren Hermansen, Director of Samsø Energy Academy

In the evaluation of the project, the municipalities were asked to what extent they feel equipped to implement their climate plans. They averaged 8.2 on a scale from 1 to 10, where 10 indicates ‘to a large extent‘ (see Figure 7). The municipalities thus see themselves as well-equipped for the implementation phase. Several municipalities add that the work of implementing the planned initiatives is already well underway.

However, they also emphasise that it is a big task that is also dependent on other stakeholders.

Figure 7: To what extent do you feel equipped to implement your climate plan?

Challenges and prerequisites The municipalities feel well-equipped for the implementation, but they also state a number of challenges and prerequisites for the implementation to be successful. The municipalities emphasise the need for the right regulatory framework both in national legislation and in the EU as well as the need for national coordination within several sectors, e.g. ​transport. Several municipalities mention the financial aspect as a potential challenge in funding the initiatives. In addition, it is a prerequisite that all employees are involved.

Engaging civil society is also crucial, but it can be a challenge. The progress of the implementation will also depend on how different technologies mature, e.g. CCS / CCU and Power-to-X. Several municipalities highlight

as a crucial condition the continued attention to and prioritisation of implementing climate action in a long-term perspective with changing city councils and political agendas.

Monitoring and evaluation in the implementation phase The municipalities have established procedures for monitoring and evaluating progress in their implementation of the climate action plans. Their procedures are different, but a common feature is updates of GHG inventories, either annually or every two years. The procedures for evaluating and updating the plans vary, but most of the municipalities have chosen a four-year cadence, so that new city councils and municipal councils are presented with updated climate action plans for political consideration and decision.

”

Creating the climate plan has been a very big communication task.

Now that we need to move from plan to action, communication between citizens, stakeholders, and politicians is a crucial factor in achieving the goals.

- Lisbet Wolters, City Architect and Climate Manager in Vejle Municipality

The plans in practice

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DK2020 LEAVES AN IMPRESSION With the first 20 municipalities' climate action plans now adopted and approved and another 75 municipalities in the process of preparing Paris-compatible climate action plans, DK2020 leaves an impression on both Danish and international climate action.

Danish climate action

In the evaluation, the municipalities were asked what DK2020 means for the municipalities' role in Danish climate action. The answers are: DK2020 has accelerated the municipalities' climate action and raised the level of ambition.

It has created even greater political ownership, will, and capacity for action. It has also formed a national focus on DK2020 and on the municipalities as key players in climate action.

DK2020 has the potential to affect the national regulatory framework for municipalities' contribution to Danish climate action, including identifying regulatory barriers that could benefit from adjustment. One of the responses is that each of the 98 municipalities has 1/98 share of responsibility for Denmark's climate action.

”

With 95 Danish municipalities now participating, DK2020 is well on its way to becoming the new national climate platform for the municipalities’ green transition and cooperation.

- Peter Rathje, Managing Director of ProjectZero

International climate action DK2020 also has the potential to leave an impression on international climate action, as the project makes Denmark the first country in the world in which a majority of local political authorities use the C40 standard for Pariscompatible climate planning.

”

Realdania developed the project from the idea that there is a lot of international knowledge that can be sourced to Denmark. But also knowledge from Denmark that could be exported into the C40 network and beyond to accelerate the local green transition internationally and promote Danish interests.

- Pelle Lind Bournonville, Head of Projects, Urban Climate Action, , Realdania

Municipalities have gained, and will continue to gain, experience in applying the C40 standard in a municipal context and in smaller units that can provide inspiration for other local political authorities worldwide and showcase how it may be done.

”

The first 20 municipalities will be part of the leading cities at COP26, and we are only just beginning to look at what knowledge DK2020 can bring to the world. In short, DK2020 is also a pilot project from a global perspective.

- Christian Peter Villefrance Ibsen, Director of CONCITO

Besides providing inspiration, DK2020 can also help to highlight the importance of transnational stakeholders when it comes to global climate cooperation. Leading up to COP26, C40 Cities, as a partner in the UN campaign Race to Zero, is focusing on mobilising cities to build momentum ahead of the government climate negotiations. Almost all DK2020 municipalities have signed up for Race to Zero.

”

When municipalities can, when companies can, and when cities can – why shouldn't states be able to?

- Simon Kjær Hansen, Fmr.

Managing Director, Climate Solutions and Networks, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group

RECOMMENDATIONS

Recommendations

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CONCITO’S RECOMMENDATIONS In 2019, CONCITO carried out an analysis of the municipalities' climate planning in terms of mitigation efforts at the time before DK2020 was implemented. The analysis led to five recommendations for how to strengthen efforts significantly in the future. Twenty municipalities have now prepared and adopted climate action plans that have been approved on the basis of C40’s standard. They have shown what is possible for climate-ambitious municipalities, and it has become clearer where there is still room to improve municipal efforts and national regulations that conditions it. Against this background, CONCITO has revisited the previous recommendations and presents below an updated proposal on what is needed to support and further develop municipalities' contribution to Danish climate action.

1) Better regulatory framework for municipal climate initiatives ▪ A review of relevant legislation and regulation should be undertaken to create the best possible conditions for municipal climate action. The review should be carried out in close cooperation with municipalities on the basis of their experience.

▪ In DK2020, municipalities have identified specific barriers to the implementation of their climate action plans. Framework conditions are a key challenge, particularly in the transport and agriculture sectors.

▪ In transport, many municipalities want better opportunities to promote electric cars by helping to ensure adequate charging facilities. Municipalities also have very limited possibilities to apply smart taxes for driving and parking. The green transition in heavy transport in particular could also be promoted if it were made easier to establish environmental and zero-emission zones.

▪ In agriculture, land consolidation and rewetting of carbon-rich peat soils are high on the climate agenda. Municipalities can play an important role as facilitators, but there is a need to speed up the process of rewetting of carbon-rich soils and to increase funding for the work, including compensating for the land that is rewetted. There needs to be clarity on the role of municipalities in the process of rewetting.

2) Climate plans for all municipalities ▪ All municipalities should have a climate action plan that supports the Paris Agreement. Climate action plans should include ambitious targets and concrete actions in areas where municipalities can play a key role. The plans should be developed with the involvement of citizens and the establishment of partnerships and binding collaboration with key stakeholders.

▪ It is important that municipalities use all opportunities to work together on idea generation and developing climate initiatives, including through DK2020 and other inter-municipal and joint initiatives.

▪ It would be useful for the overall effort and coordination if the municipalities' preparation of Paris-compatible climate action plans were made mandatory as part of legislation or political agreements.

Recommendations

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3) Significant improvement of data basis for municipal climate action ▪ The national government must ensure that municipalities have access to up-to-date data and projection tools as a basis for their climate action. In recent years, for instance, data for climate adaptation efforts have been improved and updated.

However, there are still issues with obtaining updated data for agriculture and transport and with the ability to make projections. In this context, municipalities and the national government should work together to create more uniform GHG inventories and reporting standards.

▪ A data basis and a methodological basis should be created for the inventory of municipalities' consumption-based emissions at the municipal level in order to strengthen municipal efforts to support climate-friendly lifestyles, corporate supply chain responsibility, and the municipalities' own procurement and construction activities.

▪ In addition, there should be cooperation on the development of action-oriented climate indicators, e.g. on climate awareness and behaviour among citizens and businesses in the municipality, as this can be used to target the green transition locally and at the same time support the implementation of the Climate Act’s targets.

4) Ongoing monitoring and evaluation of municipal climate plans ▪ Municipalities should prepare and publish GHG inventories annually.

▪ At least every five years, municipalities should evaluate the impact of their climate action efforts and assess the progress and the need for changes due to, among other things, changing circumstances, new framework conditions, and new technologies. It can also be done in the middle of a municipal term or prior to the revision of the municipal plan.

▪ It is recommended that a common platform for reporting, monitoring, and evaluation be developed, ensuring that the best solutions and takeaways are shared across the country. In addition to mutual exchange of experience, the platform can ensure the ability of relevant stakeholders continuously to provide new knowledge in municipal climate action broadly.

▪ The ongoing monitoring and evaluation should be actively used to ensure progress and the upholding of climate ambitions across changing city councils.

5) Ongoing development and application of new knowledge on policy measures ▪ Municipal climate action should continuously be supported by knowledge on policy measures, especially in sectors that are new or challenging for municipalities to work with, or where new solutions are emerging.

▪ In their ongoing review of their climate plan, municipalities should commit to pursue new knowledge on policy measures and to include it in revisions of the climate action plans. Future development and knowledge efforts are crucial in the municipalities’ work to reduce their residual emissions.

6) Ambitious climate leadership and political collaboration in implementation ▪ Political leadership is crucial for the municipalities' contribution to achieving Danish climate targets, and for this reason, it should be upheld and consolidated throughout the preparation, implementation, and further development of the climate plans.

▪ It is recommended to make the DK2020 Climate Alliance a central platform for a common political focus on municipal climate action and for cooperation on better framework conditions for municipal climate action, including national legislation and data basis.

▪ There should be transparency and obligation for the municipalities to act in the Climate Alliance, which requires municipalities to comply with a 'follow-orexplain' principle. If they cannot meet their own targets or implement agreed actions, municipalities should be accountable to peers and professionals. This should be used to find new solutions to climate challenges.

A big thank you to the first 20 participating municipalities in DK2020, including for their contribution to this evaluation and compilation of experience. Thank you also to Realdania for initiating the DK2020 pilot project. For their professional contribution and inspiration to the project, thanks are also due to C40 Cities. Finally, thank you to the project steering group consisting of Pelle Lind Bournonville (Realdania), Simon Kjær Hansen (C40 Cities), and Christian Peter Villefrance Ibsen (CONCITO) for their management of the DK2020 pilot project.

DK2020 presents an important front in Danish climate action, and municipalities have emerged as key players in delivering and contributing to the achievement of the Climate Act’s targets. With the project, municipal climate planning has moved forward.

This is a development that is crucial to hold on to. The municipalities must continue to develop both their own climate action and the inter-municipal cooperation in order to maintain the common level of ambition and to create new, important knowledge together. We look forward to further cooperation in DK2020 – Climate plans for all of Denmark.

METHODOLOGY

Methodology

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METHODOLOGY This publication was prepared in connection with the evaluation of the DK2020 pilot project in the spring of 2021. The purpose was to gather experience and knowledge for use in the further work with DK2020 - Climate Plans for all of Denmark and to present the experience of the first 20 municipalities as inspiration for both national and international cities and municipalities.

Interviews and quotes

The content of the publication is based on the pilot municipalities' climate action plans and related material, a questionnaire survey among the pilot municipalities, and interviews with selected project managers and with the project steering group. Further details on the data collection are set out below.

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Albertslund Municipality

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Assens Municipality

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Fredericia Municipality

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Jammerbugt Municipality

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Køge Municipality

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Lejre Municipality

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Middelfart Municipality Sønderborg Municipality

Questionnaire survey A questionnaire survey was conducted in April 2021 among all of the 20 municipal project managers in the DK2020 pilot project.

The response rate for the questionnaire survey was 95% with 19 respondents out of a population of 20 DK2020 pilot municipalities.

The municipalities were asked about eight topics in the questionnaire survey: the participation in DK2020, the Climate Action Planning Framework, the work in DK2020, the cooperation with CONCITO, the cooperation within the municipality, the results, the implementation, and the cooperation with other municipalities in DK2020.

Interviews were conducted with project managers in eight municipalities that were selected based on a wish to shed light on a wide range of experiences from municipalities with different focus areas and characteristics. The selected municipalities were:

In addition, interviews were conducted with the project steering group consisting of Pelle Lind Bournonville (Realdania), Simon Kjær Hansen (C40 Cities), and Christian Peter Villefrance Ibsen (CONCITO) with a focus on their observations and reflections on the DK2020 pilot project.

Besides the interviewees, quotes have been obtained from Peter Rathje, Managing Director of ProjectZero, Lisbet Wolters, City Architect and Climate Manager of Vejle Municipality, and Søren Hermansen, Director of Samso Energy Academy.