Energy efficiency in the built environment is a good place to target climate action. More than a third of Denmark’s CO2 emissions stem from buildings – both old and new. We also know that the lifespan of a building is long, making it common sense to care for, preserve and improve the buildings we already have.

Climate Alliance
Danish municipalities are realizing the potential for energy savings in public and private buildings through initiatives in their climate action plans. Lowering energy consumption in buildings is a key focus point in the municipalities’ climate action plans. Danish municipalities are vital for reducing the energy consumption in public buildings, as the municipalities own more than 75 percent of public square metres in Denmark. Additionally, municipalities play a crucial role in supporting citizens and the private sector in retrofitting their buildings and homes.

Through the climate action plans, municipalities are implementing measures that not only reduce energy consumption  but also focus on reusing and recycling building materials, constructing new uildings with a lower carbon footprint and optimising the use of existing buildings. The Climate Alliance is a 5-year partnership between Local Government Denmark (KL) and Realdania, with CONCITO and C40 Cities serving as knowledge partners. The municipalities’ climate action plans are certified according to C40 Cities’ international standards to ensure the high level of ambition.

Collaborative knowledge sharing
The knowledge and experience gained by the municipalities in their work on energy efficiency in buildings is shared with numerous key actors, including state legislators. In addition, the municipalities collaborate with private suppliers to develop product manuals and share showcases on the use of different behavioural methods and advanced technologies such as energy management systems, IoT solutions, and advanced analyses of energy consumption. The variety of tools available to achieve energy efficiency shows the importance of being able to apply the right solution locally and share experiences so others can learn from them. This, among other things, is what Danish municipalities are trying to achieve in their climate collaborations.