Sonderborg reduced CO2 emissions by 44 percent since 2007


Sonderborg reduced CO2 emissions by 44 percent since 2007

The recently published CO2 monitoring report for the Sonderborg area's energy-related CO2 emissions for the period 2007 - 2019 shows that emissions have been reduced by a total of 44 percent since 2007, corresponding to a CO2 reduction of 308.365 tonnes.

By ProjectZero

In 2019, the area's CO2 emissions have been reduced by a further 5.7 percentage points and the 2020 milestone (50 percent CO2 reduction), is within reach.

The Sonderborg area is well on its way to the CO2 neutrality goal in 2029 and Sonderborg's green transition and production of renewable energy is going with full speed. This is shown in the new monitoring report, which reports on developments in the Sonderborg area's energy system-related CO2 reductions since 2007, when the City Council launched the ProjectZero project.

“I am pleased to see the 2019 result of the Sonderborg area's climate efforts since 2007. We are approaching an important milestone of 50 percent CO2 reduction in 2020 and I am proud that our ambitious goal is backed across citizens, businesses, utilities and a united City Council. Last month, the City Council approved the new DK2020 climate plan and this month the biogas plant in Glansager will start its production of biogas for, among other things, our 44 biogas buses.” says Mayor Erik Lauritzen.

The green job creation
The new solar farm in Glansager, the homeowners' replacement of oil and gas boilers to district heating and heat pumps, increased electrification and phasing out of natural gas and the use of biomass in district heating production and industry, are the main reasons why the Sonderborg's CO2 reduction meter now shows an overall CO2 reduction of 44percent since 2007.

“Sonderborg is a frontrunner in the green transition and it creates green growth and new, local jobs. Our companies can offer concrete solutions and advice that can help cities around the world use more efficiently their energy and resources.” says Erik Lauritzen, who is pleased that Sonderborg has created an environment where cities and companies can come and visit Sonderborg to gain inspiration and competencies to tackle the climate challenge properly.

Production of electricity from wind turbines in the Sonderborg area in 2019 was approx. 47.5percent higher than in 2007, and from 2018 to 2019 alone, production of electricity from photovoltaics increased by almost 67percent. Precisely local production of renewable energy is an important focus area in the Roadmap2025, because even if energy efficiency is to be continued, far more green electricity and biogas will be needed in the future.

Do not forget the energy efficiency efforts
Increased energy efficiency in order to reduce energy consumption has a high priority in the Roadmap2025; nevertheless, the Monitoring Report 2019 shows only a small reduction in the Sonderborg area's total energy consumption in the past year. This is partly due to the fact that the 2019 monitoring used new more accurate power consumption data than before; but also 2019 has been a year of growth for the area's manufacturing companies” says Peter Rathje, CEO, ProjectZero.

Sonderborg's new DK2020 climate plan, which confirms the Paris Agreement, will help strengthen climate planning in Sonderborg Municipality, which in addition to CO2 reductions from the energy system, also includes agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and climate adaptation.

“We experience that the green transformation has become part of the Sonderborg area's DNA and that the green communities that were established in connection with the Roadmap2025 process in 2018 create commitment and results. There are still major challenges in utilizing energy more efficiently across sectors and realizing the ambitious coastal wind turbine project in Lillebælt” says Peter Rathje.

The Sonderborg area's CO2 monitoring report for 2019 has been prepared by the ProjectZero secretariat in collaboration with the consulting company PlanEnergi and is based on PlanEnergi's Energy Balance tool, which is used by more than 30 Danish municipalities.

Sоnderborg‘s ProjectZero was established as a public-private partnership in 2007 by the Bitten & Mads Clausen Foundation, Syd Energi (now Norlys), Sоnderborg Municipality, DONG Energy (now Ørsted) and the Nordea Foundation. In 2014, Sønderborg Forsyning joined the partnership.

Further information and interview:
Erik Lauritzen - 27 90 02 06 - ela@sonderborg.dk or Peter Rathje - 40 40 86 36 - peter.rathje@projectzero.dk

15. July 2020

Downloads

Roadmap2025 – download 

Masterplan2029 – download 

ProjectZero monitoring report 2019 – download 

Monitoring methodology

Sonderborg's ProjectZero vision is focused on creating a CO2-neutral Sonderborg area by 2029. The goal must be realized within a specific time frame formulated in 2007 and through a systemic change described in Masterplan2029. ProjectZero's monitoring of goal fulfillment takes place in accordance with the formulated time / system framework. The scope of ProjectZero includes:

  • CO2 emissions from energy-related consumption within the municipal boundaries, including road transport but excluding rail transport, maritime transport and aviation.
  • CO2 content in energy which is imported or exported across the municipal border.
  • Renewable energy production facilities, such as the coastal wind turbines on Lillebælt, which will be established outside the municipal boundaries as an active part of Masterplan2029 at the request of the area's stakeholders.
  • The objective does not include greenhouse gas emissions from non-energy related activities or CO2 emissions related to the production of imported goods. No deductions have been made for CO2 emissions in connection with the production of exported goods from the area's agriculture or at the area's many industrial, food or brick companies.

Further information about ProjectZero's Masterplan2029 can be read in Danish, here.

The purpose of the Monitoring Report 2019 is to present data regarding energy consumption, the transition to renewable energy and the development of CO2-related emissions in the period 2007 - 2019. The goal is to achieve 50 percent CO2 reduction in 2020 (Roadmap2020) and a reduction of 75 percent in 2025 (Roadmap2025) compared to 2007, which is the baseline year.

The way to achieve the goal of 75percent reduction is described in more detail in Roadmap2025, which was approved by Sonderborg City Council on 16 December 2018. Roadmap2025 was developed by eight working groups (segments) and involves more than 100 local and national energy experts and stakeholders. Achieving a 75 percent reduction in 2025 is therefore an important milestone on the road to CO2 neutrality in 2029. Therefore, the monitoring report 2019 describes the progress in the segment-oriented activities where this is data-wise possible.

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