With the Trump administration pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement on inauguration day and launching an all-out war on climate policy, many feel discouraged about the ability of U.S political institutions to respond to climate change. In a time of stagnant federal climate action, state and city governments are more important than ever in leading the global climate movement. 

One such city is Copenhagen, Denmark, where I spent this past fall studying sustainability. Denmark has been a renewable energy leader beginning in the late 20th century, and the country hosted the invention of the first modern wind turbine in 1973. Impressively, as a result of numerous government policies and social norms, they have decreased their GHG emissions 42 percent from 1990 to 2020. For more on this impressive overhaul, and the important role of green energy, see this article and this environmental history page from the Danish government. And especially in the past 20 years, climate sustainability has emerged as a big priority in Denmark.

As I suspected, Denmark and the city of Copenhagen’s climate solutions were a big part of my daily experience as a temporary citizen. And while the country has its problems, I was drawn in by the way that the city of Copenhagen successfully prioritizes economic equity and sustainability with municipality-level policies. 

Sustainability in Copenhagen’s Infrastructure

My interactions with Copenhagen’s urban planning, transportation, food, and other important infrastructure were influenced by climate sustainability.

 I traversed the city exclusively with electric buses, metro, and biking. This is a typical experience in Copenhagen, and 49 percent of all trips to work or school are on bicycles, which significantly outnumber cars. This reality is enabled by extensive bicycle lanes and infrastructure, and a prevalent bicycle culture spurred on by environmental concern. 

The same goes for the fleet of electric buses and driverless metro, which run for 24 hours for the most part, and made my time getting around the city easy and cheap. With obvious climate benefits, this impressive infrastructure reduces financial barriers to transportation, and increases access to key services like jobs, healthcare, and more.

*Over 50% of buses in Copenhagen are electric

*Biking and Metro are the Dominant Modes of Transportation

The built environment was also influenced by sustainability. Many buildings displayed an impressive commitment to dense housing and mixed zoning, both of which are consistent with equitable and sustainable city planning. 

Clean energy projects were ever-present in the landscape. I was also fascinated by the way renewable energy, waste disposal, and sustainability projects were dispersed widely throughout the city and country. Ostensibly, NIMBYism is less of a problem.

To include locals at energy project sites, companies are required to make locals democratically involved in the project, and offer them co-ownership. For example, when new wind turbines are installed, shares equivalent to at least 20 percent of the installed capacity is offered for local citizens to invest in. This is a compelling alternative to traditional fossil fuel power plants in the U.S, which cause health risks for local neighborhoods, and are disproportionately placed in economically disadvantaged communities.

*A wind farm in rural Denmark, seen from a bus.

*A nature reserve in Christiana, Copenhagen, with the common sight of power plant stacks in the background.

Beyond City Planning

Food system policies like waste sorting, health regulations, and sustainability standards are important components for sustainability in Copenhagen. Denmark has the highest market share in the world of organic food and beverages. There is also a strong norm of waste reduction and sorting, and items like single-use paper towels are rare. 

The political discourse was much more conscious of climate. Even in pro-market circles, the existence of climate change is a bipartisan issue. It is a part of mainstream discourse. When visiting the Naturkraft Museum in Rural Denmark, I saw how significant resources are devoted and children are taught at a young age to care about the importance of biodiversity and renewable energy. My Danish language textbook included the word “Flygskam” which refers to a feeling of shame associated with aviation emissions. 

Moving Forward

All of this is not to say that Denmark is some eco-utopian state. The country nurtures a cutthroat private sector (populated by the likes of Novo Nordisk and shipping giant Maersk) and a strong commitment to economic growth, though wealth is redistributed at a much higher rate. There are also serious issues with racial equity, and I recommend these articles from Reuters and Danish Aarhus University that cover this subject in more depth. 

Denmark certainly isn’t the socialist paradise that it is sometimes portrayed as in the media, but the city of Copenhagen has a lot to offer on climate and sustainability measures. Food, transportation, and green spaces were widely available, and there is significant bipartisan climate consciousness. All in all, despite the country’s problems, the city of Copenhagen has made genuine progress and shown definite leadership.

In the United States, too, city governments have real power. And my experience in Denmark has been a helpful data point of energy/inspiration when I think about how my community can be more sustainable. Especially in our current political climate. 

One of the great things about local politics is that it’s easier to get your voice heard. Cities account for over 70% of global anthropogenic CO2, so climate policy in our communities matters. Speak at city council meetings, collaborate with local environmental organizations, advocate for high value city environmental policies like building reach codes, bike infrastructure, bus fleet decarbonization, and collaborations with community choice aggregators.  

I appreciate the perspective that living in one of the world’s most sustainable cities provided, and I’m glad I can carry some of the lessons learned forward in my home state of California.