By supporting greater cooperation between C40 cities and the private sector, they will help to overcome one of the major barriers to mayors delivering on their ambitious climate change agendas.

- Copenhagen has one of the world's most ambitious climate plans and is on track to reduce CO2 emissions to zero by 2025, said Simon Hansen, Head of C40 Copenhagen office:

- There are great opportunities for C40 in opening an office in Copenhagen to draw on the knowledge here. The city has created a wide range of green solutions in urban planning, energy, cycling infrastructure and much more, which cities all over the world want to learn from.

Mayor Frank Jensen serves as vice-chair of the C40 network, representing the 16 innovator cities within the network on the organisation’s Steering Committee. Copenhagen is amongst the most active cities within C40 and leads their green growth network.

- That C40, as the world’s leading climate network for megacities, is opting to set up a base in the city is official recognition of Copenhagen’s position as a green leader, said Frank Jensen, Lord Mayor of Copenhagen:

- This will encourage still more mayors around the world to look at Copenhagen’s solutions for inspiration in developing their cities, and it will become a major showcase for green Danish businesses.

Copenhagen is setting the standard for what cities can achieve in tackling climate change, said Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris and Chair of C40:

The leadership of my friend Lord Mayor Jensen is an inspiration to mayors across the C40 network. With a permanent C40 office in Copenhagen that leadership will continue to grow.

C40’s work is made possible thanks to the support of three strategic funders including the Danish philanthropy Realdania, in addition to Bloomberg Philanthropies and Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF).

The Danish C40 office will provide companies and cities across Denmark with unique access to international partners. It will be where decisions on the future of urban development are discussed and solutions are developed and tested, said Jesper Nygård, CEO Realdania. I very much look forward to the increased exchange between Danish and international experience.

The new C40 office will be based in the BLOXHUB district of Copenhagen harbour.  BLOXHUB was launched by the Ministry of Industry, Copenhagen and Realdania as a base for Danish and international companies working in sustainable urban development.

About the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group

The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, now in its 11th year, connects more than 85 of the world’s greatest cities, representing 650+ million people and one quarter of the global economy. Created and led by cities, C40 is focused on tackling climate change and driving urban action that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks, while increasing the health, wellbeing and economic opportunities of urban citizens. The chair of C40 is Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo, and three-term Mayor of New York City Michael R. Bloomberg serves as President of the Board. C40’s work is made possible by our three strategic funders: Bloomberg Philanthropies, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), and Realdania.

- Source: C40 Cities