Realdania
The Pitch
The Danish Climate Alliance, initially known as DK2020 in its pilot phase, supports municipalities across Denmark to develop ambitious, Paris-aligned climate action plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen climate resilience.
The Problem
Local governments across Denmark lacked the framework, technical capacity and support needed to develop climate action plans, leaving several municipalities with climate ambitions but no clear pathway for turning them into locally grounded, actionable plans.
The Process
- Launched DK2020 as an initial pilot program, supporting 20 municipalities to develop climate action plans and creating a common framework for local climate planning across Denmark
- Created a nationwide support network that paired municipalities with technical expertise, guidance and peer-learning opportunities, enabling municipalities of all sizes to participate
- Encouraged local governments to develop their plans in close collaboration with residents, businesses and other local stakeholders to ensure community priorities and needs were reflected
- Strengthened climate leadership within local governments by improving cross-departmental collaboration and embedding climate considerations into municipal decision-making
- Published two reports highlighting best practices from the pilot, with DK2020 being invited to COP26
- Created a catalyst for the development of more robust climate action plans through support, awareness and knowledge sharing with other municipalities
- Expanded the initiative from an initial pilot of 20 municipalities to all 98 municipalities in Denmark, creating the world’s first nationwide network of municipalities with climate action plans
- Supported municipalities in prioritizing funding for climate teams and developing guidance on climate budgeting to better connect municipal budgets with climate goals
- Launched a joint monitoring system to track progress, measure impact and support continuous learning across municipalities
The Impact
- Supported all 98 Danish municipalities to develop climate action plans
- Projected that the climate action plans, together with national climate efforts, could reduce emissions by 73% by 2030 if successfully implemented
- Generated 6,800 planned actions across urban and rural areas through municipal climate action plans
- Advanced the transition from fossil fuels, with 37 renewable energy and 20 district heating projects underway
- Supported transport electrification, with the number of electric buses on Danish roads increasing from fewer than 10 to more than 800 between 2018 and 2023
- Advanced climate adaptation through 57 coastal projects, including 31 dikes, 10 pumps and sluices, and eight sand placement projects
