While most U.S. cities with carbon neutrality targets have set their sights on reaching this milestone by 2035 at the earliest, Copenhagen, Denmark, is pursuing a more ambitious goal. The Danish capital aims to become a carbon-neutral capital by next year, with the the city already 75% of the way there.
Since 2005, Copenhagen has reduced its emissions output by three-quarters, using a wide range of sustainability initiatives to make its industries and daily life more environmentally friendly. Half of all commutes in the city are now made by bicycle, schools have stopped serving red meat, and the city has invested heavily in renewable energy infrastructure.
These policies have brought Copenhagen closer to its goal, though the city will not reach full carbon neutrality by 2025 as originally planned. By next year, Copenhagen expects to cut emissions by 80% compared to 20 years ago.
Officials are now planning to achieve full neutrality for the city before 2030. If successful, it could still be the world’s first carbon-neutral capital.
City leaders hope Copenhagen’s rapid decarbonization progress serves as an example for other cities around the world, especially since metropolitan areas are expected to house three-quarters of the global population and produce around 70% of global emissions by 2050.