FAQ

ProjectZero is the vision of creating a CO₂-neutral energy system in the Sønderborg area by 2029. The initiative began in 2007 as a public-private partnership between Sønderborg Municipality and Bitten & Mads Clausen Foundation.

The roadmap is updated annually and outlines the path toward the goal through collaboration between citizens, businesses, utility companies, and other stakeholders.

At the heart of the initiative is energy efficiency. “The best energy is the energy we do not use,” as we say.

Working with energy efficiency is more relevant than ever. Beyond reducing CO₂ emissions, it helps ensure an energy supply that is stable, less dependent on external factors, and financially sustainable for both citizens and businesses.

Sønderborg’s green transition is designed to strengthen the area’s position within energy technology, create growth, and develop solutions that can inspire other cities to embark on a similar journey.

Yes! Every year, ProjectZero and the Sønderborg area welcome delegations from around the world.

Our primary target group is decision-makers from other cities seeking inspiration for their own green transition.

Contact us at visit@projectzero.dk to learn more about the possibilities — or explore our solutions online.

The Sønderborg area has reduced energy-related CO₂ emissions by 75 % since 2007.

In 2007, annual emissions totaled 700,000 tonnes of CO₂. Today, only around 173,000 tonnes remain to be reduced before the 2029 target is reached.

The next CO₂ report will be published in July 2026.

The 75 % reduction since 2007 is the result of a broad effort across the entire energy system. Overall, the reduction is based on our approach of reducing energy consumption, reusing energy, and transitioning to renewable energy sources.

The initiatives have been implemented across our four main focus areas: buildings, transport, industry, and energy production.

More specifically, the reductions are driven by:

• the electrification of transport
• a district heating system powered by significantly more renewable energy
• companies transitioning and optimizing their production processes for energy efficiency
• citizens replacing oil and gas heating with district heating and heat pumps

You can explore the figures in more detail in our latest CO₂ report.

The remaining 25 % will come from continued efforts within the areas we have focused on so far – buildings, transport, industry, and energy production – through a combination of increased green energy production and further reductions in fossil fuel use.

As gas consumption in Sønderborg declines, a larger share of locally produced biogas can be fed into the Danish gas grid. This helps reduce emissions elsewhere in Denmark and compensates for part of the fossil emissions that will still come from the transport sector. Although the electrification of passenger cars is progressing rapidly, fossil-fuelled cars and trucks will still be on the roads after 2029.

The CO₂ reports for the Sønderborg area are prepared by the independent consultancy ‘Ea Energianalyse’. This ensures an independent and professionally grounded assessment of the development.

The accounts are based on both national statistics and local data.

ProjectZero facilitates the transition process by bringing stakeholders together and driving collaboration across the municipality, businesses, and citizens. We turn ambitions into concrete actions, monitor progress, and communicate the results.

At the same time, we work actively with communication and knowledge sharing – both locally, where we engage citizens and businesses in the transition, and internationally, where we share our experiences with cities, organizations, and decision-makers from around the world.

Our work is guided by a masterplan focused on buildings, transport, industry, and energy production. Each of these four sectors has specific CO₂ reduction targets, and a wide range of local stakeholders participate in dedicated working groups within each sector.

Sønderborg is one of 112 ambitious EU Mission Cities selected to lead the way toward climate neutrality by 2030 and help pave the way for all European cities to achieve the same goal by 2050.

As a Mission City, Sønderborg is part of a strong European network where cities share experiences, develop new solutions, and inspire one another.

Denmark is represented by three Mission Cities: Aarhus, Copenhagen, and Sønderborg.

To share our experiences and solutions with other cities, Sønderborg has established a showcase for climate solutions, both online and on-site. Every year, we welcome international decision-makers, professionals, and journalists who visit to experience the solutions firsthand and, hopefully, implement similar solutions in their own cities.

The energy system covers all the energy that is consumed and produced within Sønderborg Municipality.

A CO₂-neutral energy system means that we:

• reduce energy consumption
• replace fossil fuels with renewable energy
• compensate for the remaining emissions, for example through the export of biogas

The goal is a balanced energy system that does not contribute to global warming.

When ProjectZero was established in 2007, the climate agenda was still in its early stages. Concepts such as Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions were not yet widely used, but it was already clear that energy consumption was one of the largest sources of CO₂ emissions.

At the same time, Sønderborg has strong expertise in energy technology, making it a natural decision to focus on an area where we already have many of the solutions.

Today, the ProjectZero agenda is only becoming more relevant: up to 90% of global emissions are directly or indirectly linked to energy. That is why the energy system remains the most important place to act in order to reduce CO₂ emissions.

Absolutely. Climate change is not a question of whether it is happening or not – it is already happening. Every time we choose a green solution over a fossil-based one, we help limit the consequences. Every reduction counts.

Around 70 % of the world’s CO₂ emissions come from cities, primarily through energy consumption. That is why it makes a real difference when a city like Sønderborg demonstrates how an energy system can become CO₂-neutral.

Of course, our own reductions are small in a global context – but our solutions can be replicated. That is why we actively work to share our experiences internationally.

Yes. CO₂ is a natural part of the atmosphere and essential for life on Earth.

The problem is that the concentration of CO₂ and other greenhouse gases has become too high.

When we burn coal, oil, and gas, we release additional CO₂ into the atmosphere that would otherwise have remained stored underground. In other words, the issue is about balance.

CO₂ acts like a blanket around the Earth, trapping the heat. As the blanket becomes thicker, temperatures rise.

The consequences of rising temperatures are widespread. Around the world, people are experiencing more frequent heatwaves, flooding, stronger storms, and rising sea levels.

Climate action is therefore not about removing all CO₂ — but about bringing the levels back into balance.