Local Initiative for Sustainable Development

Local initiative 

for sustainable 

development 

Sustainability Strategy 2008 – 11 

Sustainability Strategy 2008-11 1

Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the 

present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet 

their own needs. 

Brundtland Commission (1987) 

2 Local initiative for sustainable development

Foreword 

Sustainability Strategy 2008-11 

On a global level, the challenges in terms of generating sustainable development within 

the areas of nature and the environment may appear to be almost insurmountable. 

However, this does not mean that we at a local level are justified in not living up to our 

responsibility for making an effort to generate sustainable development. 

On the contrary, Aalborg City Council wishes to actively contribute to a sustainable development 

and, through its Sustainability Strategy 2008-11, it is presenting a strategy 

comprising objectives and initiatives for local sustainable development in terms of nature 

and the environment in the Municipality of Aalborg for the next three years. 

Focus in the Sustainability Strategy has been applied to areas of initiative that are important 

to the City of Aalborg and areas to which the municipal authority is obliged to respond 

via national and international legislation. 

By signing the Aalborg Charter in 1994 and the Aalborg Commitments in 2004, the City 

Council has laid down the political framework for sustainable development. The Sustainability 

Strategy contributes to the fleshing out of this framework by turning policies and 

declarations of intent into concrete strategies and forward-looking initiatives. 

The Sustainability Strategy 2008-11 has been born through dialogue with industry, the 

agricultural sector, the fish farming sector, nature and outdoor organisations, etc., due to 

the fact that collaboration with our stakeholders is essential if many of the strategy’s objectives 

are to be realised. 

It is the committee for Health and Sustainable Development that has had the responsibility 

for drawing up the strategy, and this department will also be responsible for any follow-up 

necessary to ensure that we comply with the strategy and achieve the targets we 

have set for ourselves. 

The Sustainability Strategy 2008-11 provides us with a good starting point for efforts 

over the next years to ensure sustainable development in the Municipality of Aalborg. 

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the municipal authority’s other departments, 

committees and not least the external stakeholders involved for their excellent 

and constructive cooperation, which we hope will continue. 

We are convinced that together we can generate sustainable development in the Municipality 

of Aalborg. 

Thomas Kastrup-Larsen Bente Graversen 

Alderman Director 

Health and Sustainable Development Health and Sustainable Development

Local initiative for sustainable development 


Published June 2008 

Department of Health and Sustainable 

Development 

Rantzausgade 4 

9000 Aalborg 

4 

Lokal indsats for en bæredygtig udvikling


Foreword page 

Local initiative for sustainable development page 4 - 9 

Climate page 10 - 1 

Energy supply 

Energy savings 

Renewable energy 

Transport 

Agriculture 

Adaptation to climate change 

Resources page 16 - 19 

Waste 

Drinking water 

Building and construction 

Urban development 

Nature page 20 - 2 

Natural resorts 

Watercourses and lakes 

Wastewater 

The Limfjord 

Farming and fish farming 

Environment and Health page 24 - 27 

Noise 

Air pollution 

Heavy metals and hazardous substances 

Soil pollution 

Putting Our Own House in Order page 28 - 1 

Green purchasing 

Environmental impact assessment 

Green accounts 

Eco-friendly vehicles 

Environmental and energy management 

Overview of the strategy’s initiatives page 2 - 9

Local initiative for 

sustainable development 

The Sustainability Strategy 2008-11 is designed to bolster efforts to promote 

sustainable development in terms of nature and the environment in 

the Municipality of Aalborg. The strategy lays down the objectives and initiatives 

that Aalborg City Council believes are necessary to actively promote 

sustainable development within the municipality. This involves both shortterm 

and long-term goals. The short-term goals primarily cover initiatives 

over the next three years, whilst the longer-term goals cover areas of focus 

in which action needs to be kick-started now, but where the need for action 

and the scope of these initiatives are so great that the objectives cannot be 

met in the short term. 

Aalborg City Council has decided that the Sustainability Strategy 2008-11 

shall focus on five main themes: 

Climate 

An increased focus on the prevention and reduction of the emission of 

greenhouse gases through initiatives such as the increased use of renewable 

energy, as well as initiatives concerning adaptation in the urban and 

rural environment to future climate change. 

Resources 

The promotion of sustainable consumption through restrictions on and 

increased recycling of waste, protection of groundwater resources and 

promotion of sustainable building development. 

Nature 

Active initiatives to protect nature and the aquatic environment, as well as 

the safeguarding of good habitats for flora and fauna. 

Environment and health 

The strengthening of health initiatives through the reduction of noise and 

air pollution and restrictions on the discharge of hazardous substances 

into the environment. 

Putting our own house in order 

The municipal authority will lead the way in the reduction of the consumption 

of resources and environmental impact through the adoption of an 

eco-friendly purchasing policy, energy and environmental management 

and green accounts. 

The Sustainability Strategy 2008-11 has been drawn up in accordance with 

the requirements regarding sustainability strategies, which according to 

the Planning Act the municipal authority is obliged to draw up every 4 years. 

The strategy takes as its starting point the initiatives that have been 

carried out, and then lays down the framework for future initiatives. At the 

same time, the strategy converts a large percentage of the 10 focus areas 

of the Aalborg Commitments into local concrete objectives and initiatives. 

When drawing up the Sustainability Strategy there has been a focus on being 

at the forefront of future challenges, as well as taking into account the wishes 

that the stakeholders have put forward. It is an ambitious, but realistic, strategy 

which requires broad, cross-disciplinary initiatives within the municipal authority 

– with both new initiatives and follow-up to existing initiatives. The objectives 

and initiatives of the strategy are a result of a prioritisation that ensures focus 

on the initiatives that can be realistically implemented in relation to costs and 

where the municipal authority has an influence on the objectives being met. In 

addition, the environmental consequences are evaluated and the initiatives that 

ensure improvements in several areas are given greater priority. The initiatives 

which have been regularly discussed, but not prioritised in this -year period, 

will be put back on the agenda when the strategy is subsequently revised. 

Section 33 of the Planning Act 

concerning Sustainability Strategies 

stipulates: 

The strategy shall contain the 

municipal authority’s political objectives 

within the following focus 

areas: 

1. Reduction of environmental 

impact 

2. Promotion of sustainable urban 

development and urban regeneration 

. Promotion of biological diversity 

4. Involvement of the population 

and the business community in 

local sustainability efforts 

. Promotion of interaction between 

the decisions concerning 

environmental, traffic, business, 

social, health, educational, cultural 

and economic matters 

The Aalborg Commitments 

defines the framework for 

how municipal authorities can 

work with sustainable development 

by defining a large 

number of tangible areas of 

focus, broken down into the 

following 10 themes: 

1. Governance 

2. Local management towards 

sustainability 

3. Natural common goods 

4. Responsible consumption 

and lifestyle choices 

5. Planning and design 

6. Better mobility, less traffic 

7. Local action for health 

8. Vibrant and sustainable local 

economy 

9. Social equity and justice 

10. Local to global 


Find Sustainability Report, Status 

2007 on the City of Aalborg’s website:www.aalborgkommune.dk/Kommuneplan/baeredygtighed 

Stakeholders which 

took part in the dialogue 

meetings 

Danish Society for Nature Conservation 

Danish Ornithological Society 

The Danish Outdoor Council 

De Danske Skovdyrkerforeninger 

(Forest Owners’ Association) 

The Danish Forest and Nature 

Agency 

Hobro-Aalborg Landboforening 

LandboNord 

Vesthimmerlands Landboforening 

Binderup Mølle Dambrug 

Lundby Fisk 

Aalborg Træindustri 

GPV Printca A/S 

Akafa 

Aalborg Zoo 

Gabriel 

Novagraf A/S 

Hamworthy Svanehøj A/S 

Aalborg Portland 

Aalborg Aluminiums Industri 

AKV Langholt 

Aalborg Commercial Council 

Visit Aalborg 

Vesthimmerlands Energi- og Miljøforening 

Foreningen Vendsyssel Energi og 

Miljøkontor 

Østvendsyssels Energi- og Miljøkontor 

Energitjenesten Nordjylland 

Aalborg University 

Miljøforum Nordjylland 

Challenges facing nature and the environment 

Globally, the challenges in terms of creating sustainable utilisation of our nature 

and the environment are huge, and indeed may appear to be almost insurmountable. 

The climate is undergoing a process of change and the consumption of the 

Earth’s energy and water resources is increasing dramatically. Deserts are increasing 

in size as a result of deforestation and harmful farming methods. The list of 

extinct and endangered species is growing year on year as their natural habitats 

continue to be reduced. The Earth’s population continues to increase, which in 

turn leads to a constantly growing demand for more resources and more food. 

Similarly, the quantities of toxic substances and waste that are deposited or discharged 

into the nature and environment that we all share continue to grow. 

The Sustainability Strategy 2008-11 focuses on the local challenges that 

through local action can influence these developments in a more sustainable 

direction. 

An important prerequisite for the wording of the strategy’s objectives and 

initiatives has been shared knowledge concerning the environmental challenges 

in the Municipality of Aalborg. A survey of the state of the environment 

and of the initiatives that have been implemented hitherto has thus 

been carried out. This common knowledge has been compiled in “Sustainability 

Report, Status 2007”, which describes the following status for the 

Municipality of Aalborg: 

- Climate change may have significant consequences for Aalborg, including 

the effects of flooding. 

- There is great potential for energy savings through energy-efficient building 

and development. 

- In order to achieve a good ecological state in the Limfjord, a major effort 

is required to limit the discharge of nutrients. 

- Quantities of waste must be restricted and sorting promoted. 

- There is a need for more knowledge concerning biological diversity in nature 

if endangered species of plants and animals are to be protected. 

- On the streets in the Municipality of Aalborg with the densest volume of 

traffic, air pollution is approaching threshold limits. 

- There is a need to reduce the discharge of hazardous substances into the 

environment. 

- The City of Aalborg can do more to reduce its environmental impact and 

save resources through its own activities. 

Solid anchoring through the involvement of stakeholders 

In order to ensure sufficient anchorage in the sectors that have an impact on development 

in the Municipality of Aalborg, the strategy has been drawn up in close 

collaboration with representatives from industry, agriculture, fish farming, retail 

trade, interest groups, etc. Objectives and initiatives have been discussed with 

these stakeholders at two dialogue meetings. The stakeholders have contributed 

many positive and constructive proposals, both in the form of important objectives, 

but also with ideas as to their own contribution to sustainable solutions. Many of 

the proposals are incorporated into the strategy, whilst others require further clarification. 

The strategy prepares the ground for greater collaboration between the 

stakeholders on the implementation of the strategy’s many initiatives. 

For each initiative, the strategy therefore states which stakeholders are expected 

to be involved. This collaboration will then be clarified in more detail 

with the stakeholders concerned. As the Sustainability Strategy contains a 

large number of objectives and initiatives that cut across the municipal authority’s 

departments and disciplines, it is also important to ensure solid internal 

rooting and implementation within the City of Aalborg’s own organisation. 


The strategy has primarily been drawn up in collaboration between the City 

of Aalborg’s Public Utility Companies, the Technical and Environmental Department 

and the Department of Health and Sustainable Development. 

The strategy has been subject to a consultation procedure involving the 

other municipal departments, and a public hearing has also taken place. 

It is crucial that the strategy’s objectives and initiatives are incorporated 

into the relevant existing management tools such as business plans, thematic 

action plans and local strategy plans, etc. The strategy therefore specifies 

which of the City of Aalborg’s departments is responsible for start-up and 

implementation of each of the initiatives, and in which basis of planning the 

initiative in question is to be rooted. 

An annual sustainability report 

The Sustainability Strategy 2008-11 makes up the framework for the municipal 

authority’s initiatives during the next three years. 

Once a year, a sustainability report will be drawn up which for each objective 

will specify which of the stated initiatives has been commenced and to 

what extent the objective is expected to be achieved. 

The sustainability report will be made public in order to ensure that the 

municipality’s stakeholders and citizens will be able to keep abreast of 

whether the initiatives of the Sustainability Strategy 2008-11 are being 

realised. 

As energy and environmental management become implemented into the 

municipal departments, the sustainability report will end up containing 

green accounts for the municipal authority’s performance as an enterprise 

in terms of nature and the environment. 

Initiatives will be followed up on an ongoing basis and revised no later than 

in conjunction with the adoption of a new Sustainability Strategy in 2012. 

The drawing up of the Sustainability Strategy 2008-11 has 

followed the procedure below: 

Aug.07: Process description approved by Aalborg City Council 

Nov. 07: Sustainability Report, Status 2007 approved in departmental 

committees 

Nov. 07: Two dialogue meetings held with stakeholders 

Dec. 07: Proposals for objectives and initiatives are prioritised 

Jan. 08: Political discussion of proposals for objectives and initiatives 

in departmental committees 

Mar. 08: Draft of Sustainability Strategy in consultation in departmental 

committees 


100 European mayors following the 

signing of the Aalborg Commitments at 

the Aalborg +10 conference in 2004. 

Aalborg commits its name to international 

efforts to promote local sustainability 

Two acclaimed international documents on local sustainable development 

have taken form during conferences in Aalborg and bear the name 

of the city. These are the Aalborg Charter and the Aalborg Commitments 

respectively. 

The Aalborg Charter was adopted in 1994 and contains a set of common 

visions and declarations of intent with regard to sustainable development. 

The City of Aalborg and the EU Commission took the initiative 

concerning the wording of the Aalborg Charter and were at the same 

time behind the establishment of the European Sustainable Cities and 

Towns Campaign. 

The initiative was a continuation of the global environmental summit in 

Rio in 1992, in which local initiatives for sustainable development were 

put onto the agenda (“Think global, act local”). The EU commission was 

interested in launching an overall initiative at European level which was 

aimed at local governments and other local authorities. 

In 2004 the Aalborg +10 conference was held in Aalborg designed as a 

follow-up to the work concerning the Aalborg Charter. Aalborg and the 

European Sustainable Cities and Towns Campaign were the architects 

of the conference. The aim was to inspire European local authorities 

to go a step further in their efforts to promote local sustainable development. 

The declarations of intent in the Aalborg Charter were to be 

translated into more tangible commitments and concrete action. 

The result was the Aalborg Commitments, which commits the local governments 

that signed the document to lay down concrete targets and action 

plans. The Aalborg Commitments defines a number of areas of action 

that are all related to the themes that were discussed at the UN’s environmental 

summits both in Rio (1992) and Johannesburg (2002). At the 

same time, the EU acknowledges the importance of the Aalborg Commitments 

in both its sustainability strategy and its thematic strategy on the 

urban environment by directly encouraging local authorities to use the 

Aalborg Commitments as a tool in their efforts to promote sustainability. 

The City of Aalborg is still active in the European Sustainable Cities 

and Towns Campaign. The municipal authority is a member of the campaign’s 

steering committee and is responsible for the administrative 

operation of the Aalborg Commitments in Europe. 

Today, more than 2500 local governments in Europe have signed the 

Aalborg Charter and more than 500 have subscribed to the Aalborg 

Commitments; and this figure continues to rise. 

100 European mayors following the signing of the Aalborg Commitments at the Aalborg +10 

conference in 2004. 


Climate 

In its fourth main report from November 2007, the UN’s climate panel, 

IPCC, concludes that there is no longer any doubt that the world 

is facing huge challenges in terms of the climate. The climate is already 

showing alarming signs of change. Action needs to be taken 

now in order not to miss the chance to limit the worst consequences 

of climate change. If action is taken now, it is still possible and 

economically feasible to deal with these changes to the climate. 

IPCC claims that an increase in temperature of more than 2 °C in 

relation to the pre-industrial temperature will have serious consequences 

for the global climate. If global warming is to be restricted 

to 2 °C, then global emissions of greenhouse gases must stop increasing 

for the next 10 to 1 years, and by 20 0 they must be reduced 

by at least 0 % in relation to 1990 levels. On the basis of the above, 

the UN’s climate panel recommends that industrial nations aim at a 

reduction of CO 2 of 2 -40 % by 2020. 

Since the Brundtland Report was published in 1992, the City of Aalborg 

has been working to meet the UN’s recommended goal for the 

reduction of CO 2. In 2004 the City of Aalborg adopted a target of a 

reduction of CO 2 emissions in terms of energy supply, excluding Aalborg 

Portland, of % during the period 1990-2012. 

The City of Aalborg has chosen to assume its share of the responsibility 

for preventing climate change by setting a target for the reduction 

of CO 2 and other greenhouses gases, and to ensure society’s 

adaptation to the consequences of climate change by putting into 

place the necessary measures to achieve this. 

The City of Aalborg’s objectives for Climate 

The increased emission 

of greenhouse gases as a 

result of industrialisation 

is the primary cause of 

global warming and will 

lead to future changes in 

the climate that will have 

an effect even on current 

generations. 

Reduction of CO 2 emissions 

CO 2 emissions shall be reduced by % in the period 1990-2012, excl. transport and Aalborg Portland. 

New objective for CO 2 emissions after 2012 

Prior to 2009 an energy balance and an energy plan are to be drawn up with a view to specifying a new 

target for the reduction of CO 2 emissions from 2012 onwards which must be more ambitious that the 

national target. 

Greater energy savings 

Efforts to save energy in the City of Aalborg’s buildings must be increased with a view to reducing energy 

consumption for electricity and heating by a minimum of 2 % per year during the period 2008-2020. 

Overall climate strategy 

Before 2009 an overall climate strategy must be adopted and implemented for the Municipality of Aalborg. 

Focus on discharge of water 

The use of separate sewer systems and local discharge of rainwater is to be promoted to the greatest 

possible extent. 


Strategy 

Strategy and initiatives 

In order to achieve its objectives in terms of the climate, the next few years 

will see the City of Aalborg implementing a number of initiatives designed 

to either prevent climate change through the reduction of greenhouse 

gases or to accommodate the changes in the climate that are expected to 

occur in the years ahead. 

Reduction of greenhouse gases 

With the aim of establishing an overall picture of which initiatives will be 

most appropriate in order to achieve the greatest possible reduction of CO 2 

in the Municipality of Aalborg, an energy plan will need to be drawn up featuring 

both short-term and long-term goals. The short-term energy plan 

for the Municipality of Aalborg will focus on targets and action that can be 

taken up until 2020, whilst the long-term part of the plan will involve objectives 

and possible action during the period up until 20 0. The energy plan 

will illustrate different scenarios for the reorganisation and upgrading of 

the energy system in the municipality, its correlation with national energy 

planning and the international energy market. 

In order to keep pace with the development in energy consumption in the 

Municipality of Aalborg and the effect of initiatives to reduce CO 2 emissions, 

it will be necessary to draw up an energy balance at regular intervals 

that will provide a general picture of the flow of energy in the municipality. 

It is therefore expected that an energy balance will be produced – as a minimum 

– in connection with the drawing up of energy plans and when updating 

the sustainability and climate strategy. 

The energy balance and the energy plan are to be used as the basis on 


which the City of Aalborg will make decisions concerning new targets for 

the reduction of CO 2 by 2020 and 20 0 respectively. 

The City of Aalborg will work towards a reduction in the emission of greenhouse 

gases through initiatives such as increased focus on energy savings, 

as well as the increased use of energy-efficient technologies and renewable 

energy. 

Efforts will continue to promote surplus heat in central areas, not least for 

use in district cooling, which will lead to greater utilisation of surplus heat 

during the summer months. 

In an attempt to raise awareness among customers and citizens, the Public 

Utility Companies are running an energy-saving campaign. At the same 

time, this campaign is an element in the energy companies’ efforts to save 

energy, according to which the companies aim to realise energy savings in 

terms of consumption at the consumer end corresponding to an average 

of 1.2 % per year. The potential for achieving further energy savings is 

also one of the reasons that during the next few years intelligent meters 

enabling remote reading will be installed at the premises of all energy consumers. 

In order to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, the City of Aalborg 

will introduce energy management in all municipal departments and carry 

out energy savings and efficiency drives in their respective institutions, 

buildings and enterprises. 

The City of Aalborg will focus on converting decentralised combined heat 

and power plants that currently use fossil fuels and are unable to be supplied 

with centralised heat and power into plants that are fired with biofuels, 

in addition to which the District Heating Utility Company’s peak and 

reserve plants are to be converted either in whole or in part to second generation 

biofuels. 

It is not enough to simply reduce CO 2 emissions resulting from energy supply. 

Areas such as agriculture and, not least, transport must in future contribute 

with their share of the overall reduction. 

With regard to transport, initiatives promoting alternative forms of transport 

that are more eco-friendly than private cars are to be implemented. 



In the Municipality of Aalborg the changes to the climate will result in a rise 

in water levels in the Limfjord and regional watercourses, more extreme 

and more frequent precipitation, generally higher temperatures, in addition 

to the fact that storms are expected to be both more frequent and more 

severe. 

These climate changes will mean that low-lying areas will be flooded more 

often and that several low-lying areas will need costly pump solutions to 

be established in order to deal with sewage and drainage. The increase in 

volumes of water will lead to greater demands on the sewer systems and 

sewage treatment plants of the future. 

In order to meet these challenges, the City of Aalborg will ensure a high 

level of reliability in the sewer system and sewage treatment plants, as 

well as promoting the use of separate sewer systems and local drainage of 

rainwater to the greatest possible extent in order to avoid overloading sewage 

treatment plants with large volumes of rainwater. Instead, the rainwater 

can be used as an attractive element in some of the urban spaces in 

the city or otherwise be diverted or allowed to seep down through the soil 

locally. In addition, work will take place to establish plants for treating the 

initial volume of rainwater following a heavy downpour in urban areas in an 

effort to meet the objectives defined for the aquatic environment. 

Higher water levels and heavier precipitation will in all likelihood lead to 

the increased washing out of nutrients from the soil, and farming of low-lying 

areas will have to be modified or indeed cease altogether. 

Climate change will also have an impact on nature in the region, e.g. in the 

form of its effect on species of flora and fauna. 

As the planning and building authority, the City of Aalborg will need to take 

climate change into account when carrying out future spatial planning and 

urban development. 

In order to ensure the required level of information, dialogue and collaboration 

with regard to the climate challenges of the future, the City of Aalborg 

expects to set up a forum to tackle these issues based on a “Climate 

Board” consisting of politicians, civil servants and representatives for the 

municipality’s citizens and business community. 


Initiatives in terms of Climate 

Energy supply 

Energy balance and energy plan (1) 

Energy balances and energy plans are to be drawn up for the Municipality 

of Aalborg. Energy balances must be produced on a regular basis, and at 

least once every 4 years. The energy plan may consist of a short-term and 

a long-term energy plan with time horizons stretching to 2020 and 20 0 

respectively. 

Climate Board (2) 

In order to ensure the required level of information, dialogue and collaboration 

with regard to the climate challenges of the future, a forum consisting 

of politicians, civil servants and representatives for the municipality’s 

citizens and business community is to be set up to tackle these issues. 

District cooling ( ) 

The use of district cooling for buildings and technical plant must be promoted 

as much as possible with a view to greater energy efficiency and increased 

utilisation of surplus heat during the summer months. 

“It’s a case of grasping the ball and 

running with it if Aalborg wishes to be 

among the top 10 municipalities.” 

“The population has an understanding 

of CO2.” 

Quotes from dialogue meetings 


“A Climate Board similar to the Green 

Board should be established.” 

“Interest from Elsam money should be 

spent on energy projects.” 

“Innovation fund for energy projects 

that can make a difference in the long 

term.” 


Energy-saving campaigns (4) 

Campaigns are to be carried out aimed at increasing the awareness of municipal 

employees and the town’s citizens with respect to saving energy. 

Energy savings fund ( ) 

The payback time in connection with loans from the Electric Utility 

Company’s energy savings fund is to be optimised as savings with short 

payback times are implemented. 

Energy management (6) 

Energy management is to be introduced into municipal departments (buildings) 

in accordance with the agreement between Local Government Denmark 

and the Minister of Climate and Energy. 

Cooperation with the retail trade and business enterprises 

(7) 

Partnerships are to be established with the retail trade and business enterprises 

with a view to securing energy savings and environmental improvements. 

Cooperation with the agricultural sector (8) 

Prior to 2012, at least 2 % of the total commercial agricultural sector will 

be offered the chance to collaborate on green development plans, incl. 

energy-saving plans. 

The reference number (1) which is specified adjacent to each initiative refers to the overview at the end of the strategy. 



Renewable energy in municipal buildings (9) 

Renewable energy, including solar cells, is to be incorporated into municipal 

buildings. 

Solar cells (10) 

At least ,000 m2 of solar cells are to be set up in the Municipality of Aalborg 

by 2020. 

Wind turbines (11) 

Areas in the Municipality of Aalborg are to be designated in which wind 

turbines can be erected. This will enable electricity production from wind 

turbines to make up at least 2 % of the total electricity consumption by 

202 at the latest. 

Biogas plants (12) 

More biogas plants for the processing of manure, etc., are to be established. 

The aim of this initiative is to increase the amount of energy from biogas 

plants from approx. 1 0 TJ to approx. 1,000 TJ by 2020 and to reduce 

the use of commercial fertiliser by the agricultural sector. 

“Public transport must be made better.” 

“Empty buses in rural districts do not 

enhance the environment.” 

“The road network for private cars 

should not be developed if we wish to 

promote public transport.” 


“The seepage of rainwater should take 

place locally.” 


Transport 

Public transport (1 ) 

The mobility of public transport is to be improved in order to promote the 

use of public transport where it makes sense in terms of the environment 

and socioeconomics. 

City buses (14) 

CO2-neutral fuels must be used for city buses as soon as possible, e.g. biogas, 

hydrogen or 2nd generation biodiesel. 

Reduction of CO2 from transport (1 ) 

The emission of CO2 from transport shall as a minimum be reduced such 

that national targets can be achieved. 


“No environmental benefit from solar 

heating in areas supplied by district 

heating.” 

“There should be a subsidy granted to 

private individuals who establish a renewable 

energy plant.” 


Sewers and sewage treatment plants (16) 

A high level of reliability for the sewer system and sewage treatment plants 

must be guaranteed. 

Climate adaptation and preventive measures (17) 

Assessment of the consequences of climate change is to be updated at least 

once every 4 years in order to ensure that any necessary initiatives concerning 

prevention and adaptation are incorporated into all relevant municipal activities 

and disseminated to the general public. 

Sewage and rainwater (18) 

Centralised management of sewage and decentralised management of rainwater 

will be a leading principle in the future. 

Rainwater (19) 

Rainwater is to be used in future as an attractive element in urban spaces in 

the city and must as far as possible be discharged locally. 

Flooding of areas (20) 

Flooding as a result of more frequent extreme precipitation shall occur in areas 

where it encourages increased biological diversity. 


Resources 

From a global perspective, the world’s consumption of resources is 

not sustainable. The world’s resources are often consumed faster 

than they are regenerated, and this has significant consequences 

for nature and ecosystems. Since 19 0, the global population has 

doubled, food production has tripled, the consumption of fossil fuels 

has increased fourfold and industrial production fivefold. 

The consequence of this is increased pressure on nature and its 

resources. If the so-called “ecological footprint”, which is an expression 

of human exploitation of resources, is compiled, it can be seen 

that Europe’s population represents 17 % of the world’s total consumption 

of resources, although just 7 % of the world’s population 

live in the European Union. Conversely, the consumption of resources 

in the Third World is a lot less than the size of the population 

would suggest. It is the high living standards in the rich nations that 

lead to greater consumption and thereby greater use of the world’s 

resources. It is primarily the consumption of natural resources such 

as timber, agricultural products, metals and fossil fuels such as coal 

and oil that contribute to the large ecological footprint. 

If we turn our attention to Denmark’s exploitation of nature’s resources, 

we have an unfortunate position in the “elite”, where Denmark 

occupies a ninth place if the ecological footprint is represented 

per capita. Denmark therefore has a considerable responsibility to 

reduce its consumption of natural resources and must take greater 

co-responsibility for the environmental problems that occur outside 

the country’s borders as a result of Danish consumption. 

The challenge lies in promoting the consumption of eco-friendly 

goods and products, utilising resources more efficiently, concentrating 

on the use of renewable resources and working for the 

greatest possible reuse and recirculation of resources. 

The City of Aalborg’s objectives for Resources 

To put the ecological 

footprint into 

more easily understandable 

terms, 

if everyone on the 

planet consumed resources 

like the average 

Dane, then this 

would require resourcescorresponding 

to three times 

the world’s total resources. 

Limitation of industrial waste 

The amount of industrial waste is to be limited by increasing preventive measures in industrial production. 

Optimum management of waste 

Waste shall be collected, handled and processed in the optimum environmental and economical manner with the 

greatest possible utilisation of resources. 

Safeguarding of clean drinking water 

It is important that the supply of drinking water can be secured on the basis of clean untreated groundwater of 

high quality, and vulnerable drinking water areas must be better protected against pollution. 

Promotion of low-energy building and construction 

All municipal building and construction (conversion and new development) must be carried out as low-energy building 

with integrated renewable energy supply from 2012 at the latest. 


Strategy 


The City of Aalborg’s strategy in terms of resources is, through advice and 

guidance, to stimulate citizens, industry and the agricultural sector to protect 

and limit the use of resources. By means of the municipal authority’s 

own activities, its strategy will be to limit the consumption of resources, 

promote the use of eco-friendly products and ensure the greatest possible 

recycling of waste. 

Efforts will be focused on more efficient utilisation of the resources in industry 

and in private households. The business community, the retail trade 

and the municipality’s citizens will be encouraged to utilise resources such 

as energy and water more efficiently and to apply particular focus to the 

limitation of and increased recycling of waste. 

Through environmental inspection and collaboration with business enterprises 

and the agricultural sector, work will take place to protect the municipal 

authority’s important drinking water resources against pollution and 

to ensure that clean groundwater continues to be available in the future. 

Environmental and energy requirements are to be specified for the municipal 

authority’s own building and construction projects, such that they 

fulfil more comprehensive requirements than those contained in current 

legislation. As the planning authority, the municipal authority shall exploit 

the provisions of the Planning Act to lay down stricter requirements with 

regard to environmental and energy-efficient building and construction. 

Finally, the use of healthy and eco-friendly materials in building projects 

must be ensured. 


Initiatives in terms of Resources 

Waste 

Cleaner technology in industry (21) 

In connection with the inspection of business enterprises, the municipal 

authority will try to push business enterprises towards adopting cleaner 

technology in order to reduce the generation of waste. 

More recycling (22) 

The amount of industrial waste for landfill sites and incineration must be 

reduced. Reuse and recycling is to be promoted in partnership with industry 

and the agricultural sector. 

Resource management (2 ) 

At least 2 % of enterprises with a heavy environmental impact must be 

offered partnership schemes with regard to environmental and resource 

management by 2012 at the latest. 

Cooperation with the retail trade (24) 

Cooperation will take place with the retail trade on limiting the amount of 

waste, with particular focus on limiting packaging. 

“Surface water must be collected and 

used to a greater extent.” 

“The agricultural sector will cooperate 

on the development of action planning 

in order to safeguard clean drinking water 

in the future.” 

“Farmers must be fully informed as to 

whether they may cultivate the land or 

whether restrictions will be imposed.” 



“Food waste should be used for biogas 

instead of being incinerated.” 

“More information about the sorting of 

waste is required. Way too many people 

just throw paper into containers for 

combustible waste.” 

“There should be greater collaboration 

with the retail trade concerning the minimisation 

of packaging and waste”. 


Further action planning (2 ) 

Action plans are to be drawn up for groundwater protection for all waterworks 

that are sustainable in the long term. 

More environmental inspection (26) 

From 2009, intensive inspection and control will be implemented with respect 

to the agricultural sector, business enterprises and other activities in 

the most vulnerable drinking water areas. 

Limited use of pesticides (27) 

There will be a focus on avoiding the use of pesticides in vulnerable drinking 

water areas. 

Pollution with wastewater (28) 

In areas of particular interest with respect to drinking water, the drinking 

water must be protected against leaks from the sewer system and the 

seepage of wastewater must be prevented. 

Cooperation with farmers and landowners (29) 

Cooperation agreements must be signed with farmers and homeowner’s 

associations to protect the vulnerable drinking water areas against new 

pollution. 



“The municipal authority should lead 

the way and demand environmentally 

compatible building and construction”. 

“Low-energy building must be promoted.” 

“Renewable energy solutions must be 

promoted in the municipal authority’s 

buildings.” 

“Energy requirements must also be 

remembered in relation to existing 

housing.” 


Building and construction 

Promotion of low-energy building and construction ( 0) 

All municipal building and construction (conversion and new development) 

must be carried out as low-energy building with integrated renewable 

energy supply from 2012 at the latest. 

Local plans with energy requirements ( 1) 

By 2020 at the latest, at least local plans must be adopted in which requirements 

are stipulated that new development must be constructed as 

low-energy buildings. 

Updated environmental manual ( 2) 

The City of Aalborg’s environmental manual for sustainable building and 

construction must be updated in 2008 and must subsequently be developed 

to also include private building and construction as soon as possible. 

Healthy building materials ( ) 

Healthy materials must be used in municipal, publicly-funded and private 

building and construction. 


Nature 

Nature and aquatic environments are today generally threatened by 

an excess of nutrients and the impact of harmful substances. The development 

of society and our intensive use of the land for activities 

such as farming also have an effect on nature and the ecosystems 

around us. In relation to earlier, nature is more isolated and uniform, 

and the quality of water in many lakes and streams has deteriorated. 

These effects increase the pressure on valuable natural resorts and 

contribute to changes in the habitats of flora and fauna, which has in 

turn led to a decline in a number of species. These problems are also 

characteristic of the areas of countryside in the Municipality of Aalborg. 

Although various nature conservation projects have been carried 

out, the years ahead will see considerable challenges for the municipal 

authority in the areas of nature and the aquatic environment, among 

other things as a result of the national water and Natura 2000 plans. 

In order to meet these challenges in the area of nature, the City of 

Aalborg has prioritised a number of objectives and areas of initiative 

over the next 4 years. 

The City of Aalborg’s objectives for Nature 

Safeguarding of attractive nature and recreational opportunities 

In order to safeguard attractive natural amenities, there must be a focus on protecting and developing good habitats 

for flora and fauna and on giving priority to recreational opportunities and the dissemination hereof. 

Increased forest and FSC certification* 

The percentage of forest in the municipality must be doubled to 12% of the total area of the municipality during 

the course of a tree generation (2070), and the municipality’s forests must be FSC certified by 2009. 

Further reduction of the impact of wastewater 

The impact of wastewater on nature and the aquatic environment must be minimised. No aquatic areas with a 

high-level objective may suffer an adverse impact from the presence of wastewater after 2014, and sewage treatment 

in the open countryside must be implemented by 2014 at the latest. 

Reduction of heavy metals and hazardous substances 

The discharge of heavy metals and hazardous substances into nature and the environment must be in decline by 


Reduction of N & P discharge into the fjord 

The discharge of N and P into the Limfjord from the surrounding area and towns & cities must be reduced by 0% 

in 201 in relation to the year 2000. 

Sustainable fish farming 

Fish farming must be sustainable so that it can contribute to the fulfilment of the objectives concerning watercourses 

– and from 201 be carried out such that it does not have any impact on meeting the objectives for natural 

resorts and aquatic areas. 

No sewage sludge on farmland 

The objective is for sewage sludge not to be spread on farmland in the Municipality of Aalborg. 

Green local planning 

When carrying out local planning, at least 10% of the total area must be designated as natural resorts and green 

recreational areas for the residential development. 

*FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council and is an international non-profit labelling scheme which ensures sustainable forestry. 


Strategy 


The City of Aalborg’s strategy in terms of nature is two-fold: On the one 

hand, there must be a focus on preserving and developing attractive natural 

resorts and aquatic areas for the benefit of people, animals and plants; 

on the other hand, efforts must also be made to reduce the environmental 

impact on the natural amenities in the municipality through preventive 

measures. 

There must be an effort to bolster the way in which nature and the aquatic 

environment are taken into account in municipal planning and case processing 

with a view to incorporating and securing the implementation of the 

Aalborg Commitments and the Sustainability Strategy. 

Furthermore, the level of knowledge must be enhanced within nature and 

the aquatic environment through measures such as collaboration with external 

stakeholders. Collaboration on planning for the open countryside and 

nature conservation must increase in order to ensure biodiversity and to 

safeguard a good ecological balance in the countryside and the aquatic environment. 

In addition, this degree of collaboration must be further developed 

to promote voluntary environmental and nature activities – including, 

for example, green development plans. Work must also be focused on increasing 

the amount of forest in the municipality and enhancing connections 

between natural resorts both in the open countryside and in towns and 

cities, as well as improving recreational access to these natural resorts. 

Efforts to ensure a good ecological state in watercourses and lakes will 

require initiatives to be coordinated with the other municipal authorities 

that border the Limfjord. Within the municipality itself, there will be focus 

on the habitats surrounding the region’s streams, including the use of land 

– in particular in vulnerable areas – as well as a general focus on a reduction 

in the use of pesticides. 

The initiatives associated with the objectives in terms of the natural environment 

are in general characterised by being related to the challenges 

facing the municipal authority – in particular in connection with plans for 

the aquatic environment and the so-called Natura 2000 plans. Focus on the 

natural environment is also characterised by the numerous initiatives that 

must be seen in the context of objectives in other areas, for example within 

“Environment and Health”. 


Initiatives in terms of Nature “Focus must be applied to the degree of 

consolidation of commercial and resi- 

Nature 

Greater focus on continuous natural resorts ( 4) 

Spatial planning must help to ensure that continuous natural resorts / green 

areas are created both in urban areas and in the open countryside – as well 

as linking urban and rural areas. This includes the designation of the necessary 

propagation corridors for flora and fauna in the Municipal Development 

Plan 2009. 

Nature, park and open-air policy to be drawn up ( ) 

A nature, park and open-air policy shall be drawn up for the municipality’s 

green areas, forests and natural resorts by 2009 at the latest. 

Protection of threatened species ( 6) 

There must be protection of habitats which are associated with the species 

that are under particular threat. The need for nature conservation must be 

surveyed and systematic nature conservation must be commenced with a 

view to safeguarding habitats. 

Greater knowledge concerning biodiversity ( 7) 

The degree of knowledge concerning biodiversity outside Natura 2000 areas 

must be enhanced. The implementation of nature quality planning for the 

protected natural resorts – including studies into threatened flora and fauna 

(so-called Red List species) both within and outside Natura 2000 areas must 

be commenced by 2012. 

Better cooperation with citizens and private landowners ( 8) 

Initiatives must be taken to bolster the degree of cooperation with citizens 

and private landowners (housing associations, farmers, homeowner’s associations, 

etc.) with regard to biodiversity, protection of Red List species, conservation 

of areas and development of public access. 

“Existing initiatives in watercourses 

may well be misplaced 

– the current situation would 

tend to support this view. It’s 

therefore a good idea to apply 

new focus to the entire river 

valley.” 

“It’s better to accept flooding 

than to dig deeper watercourses.” 

“It could be an idea to use the 

watercourses as lagoons for 

plants. Weeds must be removed 

and low impact watercourse 

maintenance must be carried 

out.” 



dential building and the local collection 

and discharge of rainwater.” 

“Green oases are to be protected in 

relation to urban development and new 

development. More unbroken areas of 

countryside are required.” 

“Take part in cooperation under the 

auspices of rural district activities in 

order to enhance the use of the open 

countryside and bolster biological diversity.” 

“It is important to enhance the level of 

information about nature.” 


Voluntary cultivation and set-aside agreements ( 9) 

Work must take place to promote the securing of voluntary cultivation and setaside 

agreements with farmers in order to ensure, for example, that the use of land 

close to watercourses takes into consideration the objective of the watercourse in 

question. There must be particular focus on the river valleys in relation to initiatives 

and actions. 

Initiatives against pesticides (40) 

Extra initiatives are to be put in place to limit pollution of the aquatic environment 

with pesticides, etc. 

Greater knowledge about lakes (41) 

The state of the lakes is to be surveyed in order to provide an assessment of the 

action plans necessary to restrict the discharge of phosphor and nitrogen from 

agricultural activities. 

Maintenance of watercourses to lead to better conditions (42) 

Through the amendment of regulations, the municipal authority’s maintenance of 

watercourses shall contribute to achieving the target of a good ecological state. 

Initiatives in particularly vulnerable areas (4 ) 

In particularly vulnerable areas greater requirements must be specified to general 

farming and fish farming (via environmental certification) concerning restrictions 

on the discharge of nutrients, organic substances and hazardous substances in order 

to ensure the satisfaction of the objectives for the watercourses. 

Rehabilitation of watercourses (44) 

Rehabilitation of stretches of watercourses will be carried out as and when needed 

with a view to ensuring the satisfaction of the objectives for the watercourses 

– this will include the ongoing removal of damming in the watercourses. 



The Limfjord 

Wastewater 

Survey of discharge to areas vulnerable to pollution (4 ) 

Properties located in catchment areas for watercourses and lakes that are 

particularly vulnerable to pollution must be surveyed by 2010. 

Tighter regulation of the discharge of wastewater (46) 

Whenever business enterprises are regulated from 2008 onwards, specific 

conditions are to be laid down which prevent the discharge of effluents and 

polluted surface water to important natural resorts and the aquatic environment. 

Mandatory emptying of sediment tanks (47) 

A mandatory emptying scheme for sediment tanks will be introduced 

throughout the municipality with effect from 2010. 

Tighter regulation of farming in areas with particular 

needs (49) 

Tighter requirements must be imposed concerning the discharge of nitrogen 

to the Limfjord by farmers, in particular in those areas that require 

special protection, e.g. Natura 2000 areas. 

Greater knowledge of diffuse pollution ( 0) 

Knowledge is to be accumulated on the diffuse sources of pollution of the 

fjord with hazardous substances – both from catchment areas, but also 

from the municipal authority’s landfill sites and polluted land along the 

banks of the fjord. 

“Designate areas as soon as possible in 

which farming and fish farming must 

NOT take place in the future.” 

“It is important to work together on the 

green development plans and sell them 

together.” 

“Planning must take into consideration 

the location of nature and farming/fish 

farming.” 


Local seepage of rainwater (48) 

In areas of new development, private houseowners must establish facilities 

for the seepage of rainwater on their own land where possible. 

Farming and fish farming 

“There must be particular focus on the 

river valleys in relation to initiatives and 

action.” 

“The discharge of nitrogen to the Limfjord 

should be reduced to 00 tonnes.” 


Collaboration on green development plans ( 1) 

From 2008 onwards, the municipal authority will offer a green development 

plan to be included in environmental certifications for the agricultural 

sector, and will work towards at least 2 % of commercial farms by 

2012 working with the municipal authority on green development plans 

containing nature conservation plans – including the protection of Red List 

species. 

Sustainable fish farming and agricultural production ( 2) 

Fish farming and agricultural production must be sustainable, and organic 

farming is to be promoted in particular in drinking water areas and in catchment 

areas to vulnerable watercourses and lakes. In addition, water consumption 

for fish farming operations must be limited as much as possible. 


Environment and Health 

The environment has a great influence on our health – both positive 

and negative. Chemicals, noise and air pollution can make us ill. More 

than 000 Danes die every year of conditions that are due to air pollution 

by particles and more than 00 Danes die prematurely due to 

cardiovascular diseases and high blood pressure caused by noise 

from traffic. 

It is estimated that there are 100,000 substances on the market in 

the EU which are incorporated into products such as paint, detergents 

and printing inks. For many of these substances there is only 

limited knowledge of their effect on the environment and our health. 

Some chemical substances are suspected of being endocrine-disrupting 

and carcinogenic, whilst others affect the nervous system. 

The positive effect of the environment is related to clean air, clean 

water, natural attractions and access to green areas, which all contribute 

to a better quality of life. Outdoor life in a rich and varied natural 

environment makes a contribution to improvements in health. 

Easy access to the forest and beach, as well as inviting and carefully 

targeted attractions lead to good experiences with positive benefits 

for the state of the general health of the population. 

The City of Aalborg’s objectives for Environment and Health 

Fewer dwellings affected by noise 

Noise from road traffic is to be reduced so that the number of dwellings affected by heavy noise is reduced by at 

least % by 2012. 

Reduction of air pollution by traffic 

Air pollution by traffic is to be reduced so that applicable threshold values for air quality in the areas where traffic 

has a significant impact can be met. 

Promotion of cycling 

The proportion of cycling in terms of traffic must be increased so that by 2020 there will be 10 % more cyclists 

(2006), 70 % will cycle daily or at least once a week, and that no more than 10 % of children will be driven to schools 

located in urban areas. 

Reduction of heavy metals and hazardous substances 

The discharge of heavy metals and hazardous substances into nature and the environment must be in decline by 


No risk from polluted soil 

Polluted soil must not give rise to environmental and health risks. 


Strategy 


The City of Aalborg will work to reduce air and noise pollution from vehicle 

traffic. Air pollution is to be reduced by imposing environmental requirements 

on vehicles, prohibiting cars from idling and by introducing measures 

that influence behaviour such that transport is shifted from private cars to 

healthier forms of transport such as public transport or bicycles. The use of 

the bicycle as a means of transport must be promoted in general through 

initiatives that promote cycling, including the establishment of better cycle 

parking facilities and the implementation of a city cycle scheme. Noise pollution 

is to be reduced through a range of noise-suppressing measures and 

pre-empted by means of the municipal authority’s spatial planning. 

Through environmental inspection and collaboration with business enterprises, 

farming and fish farming, the use of environmentally harmful substances 

is to be reduced. Focus must be applied to how local citizens can 

reduce the use of environmentally harmful substances in their own households. 

Through its own purchasing policy, the municipal authority will ensure 

that products containing environmentally harmful substances are not 

purchased. 

In order to limit the emission of hazardous substances, surveys must be 

made to secure better knowledge of the sources of such hazardous substances. 

Outdoor areas at childcare centres and nurseries must be examined 

for contamination of the soil in order to make sure that children are not 

exposed to pollutants in the soil. 


Initiatives in terms of Environment and Health 

Noise 

Use of low-noise asphalt ( ) 

The use of low-noise asphalt must be increased on relevant stretches of 

road where tyre noise dominates. 

Designation of quiet areas ( 4) 

Quiet areas (< dB(A)) are to be designated in connection with noise action 

plans. 

More noise screening ( ) 

Noise levels from traffic in existing built-up areas must be reduced through 

the use of screening. 

“In several cities in Europe, cars are not 

allowed into the city. Only buses in the 

city centre.” 

“Public transport should run on the best 

possible fuel, e.g. hydrogen, and meet 

the strictest emission requirements 

today.” 

“When imposing restrictions on traffic 

to improve the quality of the environment, 

it’s important to retain access to 

the city centre.” 

“If traffic is to be reduced, measures 

such as road-pricing, parking charges 

and tolls should be considered, and 

multi-storey car parks must be located 

correctly!” 

“Energy costs are crucial with regard to 

the choice of mode of transport.” 

Air pollution 


Quotes from dialogue meetings Buses with particle filters ( 6) 

From 2009, new buses used in public transport will meet the EURO norm, 

e.g. through the fitting of particle filters and catalytic converters. 

Idling ( 7) 

A ban on running an engine at idle for more than 2 minutes will be introduced 

by 2010. 

Parking fees ( 8) 

Parking fees will be revised on an ongoing basis in order to limit parking in 

the city centre. 

Cycle parking ( 9) 

Cycle parking must be incorporated into physical planning and in the use of 

the spaces within the city. 

Shared car and city bicycle schemes (60) 

Enhancement of the shared car scheme and the introduction of a city bicycle 

scheme will take place by 2010. 

Eco-friendly modes of transport (61) 

Initiatives must be taken to regulate behaviour to encourage citizens to 

use more eco-friendly forms of transport than the car. 



Heavy Metals and Hazardous Substances 

Greater knowledge concerning sources and impact (62) 

Major sources of heavy metals and hazardous substances in effluents must 

be surveyed and the concentration of substances must be constantly monitored 

in important natural resorts. 

Environmentally hazardous substances in industry (6 ) 

At least 2 % of the enterprises with the heaviest environmental impact and 

the agricultural sector must be offered partnership schemes with regard to 

chemical management and substitution of hazardous substances in production 

by 2012 at the latest. 

Focus on environmentally hazardous substances in environmental 

inspection (64) 

There shall be particular focus on heavy metals and hazardous substances 

in the municipal environmental inspections of businesses, farms and fish 

farms in 2009 and 2010. 

Environmentally hazardous substances in purchasing 

and private households (6 ) 

Substances and products in the municipal authority’s own purchased goods 

that cause damage to the environment and health will be eliminated and efforts 

will be made to try to influence citizens and businesses to do the same 

through information campaigns and partnerships. 

Campaigns aimed at private households (66) 

Campaigns and restrictions on the use of chemicals, etc., in private households 

will be launched in 2009. 

“Use microbiological treatment methods 

instead of excavating large quantities 

of earth.” 


Soil pollution 

“Businesses are willing to participate in 

chemical management projects, and in 

the agricultural sector there’s enough 

to look at in the form of pesticides, etc.” 

“The consumption of chemicals is regulated 

in industry via legislation and 

environmental certification.” 


Polluted soil in institutions (67) 

Surveys of soil pollution in municipal day-care facilities and playgrounds 

must be performed by 2010 and any preventive measures must be subsequently 

carried out. 


Putting Our Own House in 

Order 

The City of Aalborg aims to be a sustainable municipality and to 

lead the way in terms of the environment. The municipal authority 

will show surrounding society how it is working towards reducing 

environmental impact and the consumption of resources in its own 

businesses and activities. 

The City of Alborg wishes to put its own house in order and thereby 

be able to inspire private enterprises and individual citizens to also 

assume their share of responsibility. 

As the region’s largest employer, with more than 18,000 employees, 

the City of Aalborg has a wealth of opportunities to create environmental 

improvements, among other things through being able to 

influence its employees, environmentally-aware management and 

as a major purchaser and consumer of products and resources. 

The municipal authority has a lot of buildings and has several operational 

units at its disposal that provide opportunities to achieve 

environmental improvements. 

The City of Aalborg’s objectives for Putting Its Own 

House in Order 

Requirements with regard to municipal purchasing 

All products purchased for use by the City of Aalborg shall meet minimum requirements with respect 

to wages and salaries, working conditions, the working environment, the external environment, 

democracy and social responsibility. 

More organic foodstuffs 

There must be a greater focus on organic foodstuffs in the municipal purchase of foodstuffs for 

use in catering centres, canteens and institutions. 

Extended environmental impact assessments 

By 2010 at the latest, environmental impact assessments shall encompass the broad concept of 

sustainability, cf. the Aalborg Commitments. 

Drawing up of green accounts 

The use of green accounts in the departments within the City of Aalborg is to be promoted. 

Introduction of environmental management 

Environmental and energy management is to be introduced into the municipal departments and 

operational units. 


Strategy 


Through an active municipal purchasing policy, the City of Aalborg will specify 

demands with regard to the products and services that are purchased 

in order to push suppliers and the market in general in a more sustainable 

direction. This applies to the environment and with regard to social responsibility. 

The municipal authority will promote the use of organic foodstuffs 

in municipal kitchens and catering centres based on health considerations 

and in order to promote organic farming. The municipal authority will demand 

environmentally-labelled printed material and specify requirements 

with respect to eco-friendly vehicles. At the same time, the municipal authority 

will ensure that the environmental requirements imposed are in line 

with the latest standards. 

Through the increased use of management tools, such as environmental 

management and green accounts, a general picture will emerge of the consumption 

of resources and the environmental impact that the municipal 

authority’s many activities give rise to. On the basis of this information, 

decisions can be made as to where environmental improvements can be 

realised. At the same time, there is a good opportunity to enhance the visibility 

of our environmental performance and thereby motivate employees 

to put in an extra effort. 

The City of Aalborg will perform environmental impact assessments of relevant 

planning in order to further the adopted and subscribed goals concerning 

sustainability. 


Initiatives in terms of Putting Our Own House in Order 


Organic foodstuffs (68) 

The proportion of organic foodstuffs used in municipal catering centres, 

canteens and institutions must make up at least 0% by 201 . 

Environmentally-labelled printed matter (69) 

From 2010, all municipal printed matter must have an environmental label 

(Nordic Swan label or similar) and/or be produced at an environmentallycertified 

printing house. 

Hazardous substances (70) 

The purchase of products that contain hazardous substances must be minimised. 

Lifecycle analyses (71) 

Lifecycle analyses shall as far as possible be used in connection with municipal 

purchasing. 

Updated environmental requirements (72) 

With regard to all purchasing, the specified environmental requirements 

must be updated at least every other year in order to tighten up the requirements 

to reflect developments in technology. 

Eco-friendly vehicles (7 ) 

When purchasing municipal vehicles, the energy consumption of the vehicles 

and the use of alternative fuels must be promoted. 

“The municipal authority ought to lead 

the way by providing a good example.” 



Evaluation of the objectives of the Sustainability 

Strategy (74) 

All relevant municipal plans must be assessed in terms of their environmental 

impact by 2010 at the latest in order to promote and make visible 

the extent to which the objectives of the Sustainability Strategy and the 

sustainability themes of the Aalborg Commitments are implemented. 


“Ecology should be promoted in municipal 

purchasing.” 

“The municipal authority must take a 

good look at itself in the mirror when, 

for instance, purchasing eco-friendly 

goods.” 



Environmental management 


Own operational units (77) 

The municipal authority’s printing house (AK Print) and the Contracting 

Unit in the Technical and Environmental Department and other operational 

units must receive environmental certification in accordance with ISO 

14001 by 2011. 

All departments (78) 

Environmental and energy management is to be introduced in all municipal 

departments by 201 . 

Operational units (7 ) 

Green accounts must be drawn up for the municipal authority’s operational 

units from 2010. 

Departments and institutions (76) 

Green accounts must be drawn up for selected municipal departments and 

institutions from 2012. 


Overview of the strategy’s 

initiatives 

In order to provide an overall picture of the many initiatives that 

are to be implemented in order to achieve the objectives in the Sustainability 

Strategy, these initiatives have been compiled into a 

number of tables. 

The initiatives are broken down into the strategy’s main themes: 

Climate, Resources, Nature, Environment & Health and Putting Our 

Own House in Order. 

The budget year in which the initiative is to commence or the period 

in which it is implemented is specified for each initiative. The relevant 

legislation, plan and department in which the initiative is rooted 

are also specified. Finally, the business partners involved in the 

implementation of each initiative also appear in the table. 

Anchoring 

Specifies which administrative department within the 

City of Aalborg is responsible for the performance of 

the initiative. At the same time, the management tool 

is identified in the form of existing action plans, business 

plans, etc., in which the initiative is to be incorporated 

and rooted. Finally, the other departments that 

will be involved are also specified. 

Budget year 

Specifies within which budget year the initiative is to 

be commenced. If the budget year is specified with, 

e.g. 2008-, then the initiative will be commenced in 

2008 and continue hereinafter. 

The numbering system 

refers to the 

strategy itself in 

which each initiative 

is described in more 

detail. 

Klima 

Indsats Budgetår Forankring Parter 

Energiforsyning 

1 Energibalance og energiplan 2008/09 FV(ansvarlig) 

Varmeplan 

Klimastrategi 

TMF, SBU 

2 Klimaråd 2008 SBU(ansvarlig) 

Klimastrategi 

Bæredygtighedsstrategi 

FV, TMF 

3 Fjernkøling 2008- FV(ansvarlig) 

Energiplan/Varmeplan 

Strategiplan for AKF 

Energibesparelser 

4 Energisparekampagner 2008- FV(ansvarlig) 

Plan for ressource- og 

energispareindsats 

Fjernvarmeværker i Aa.K. 

Interesseorganisationer 

Energiselskaber 

2 Local initiative for sustainable development 

5 Energisparepulje 2008 FV(ansvarlig) 

BF, SBU 

6 Energiledelse 2009- SBU(ansvarlig) 

The following abbreviations are used in the 

overview: 

TMF: The Technical and Environmental 

Department 

FV: The Public Utility Companies 

SBU: Health and Sustainable Development 

SKO: The Department of Education 

and Cultural Affairs 

FAM: The Department of Family and 

Employment 

ÆLD: The Department of Care for 

the Elderly and Disabled 

BF: The Department of the Mayor 

AKE-Net: City of Aalborg’s Electricity 

Utility Company 

AKF: City of Aalborg’s District Heating 

Utility Company 

AKK: City of Aalborg’s Sewage Utility 

Company 

Parties 

Specifies the external parties among 

the municipal authority’s stakeholders 

that are expected to be involved 

in the implementation of the initiative 

concerned. Agreements will be 

reached concerning the form of the 

working relationship.

Climate 

Initiative Budget year Anchoring Parties 

Energy supply 

1 Energy balance and energy plan 2008/09 FV (responsible) 

District heating plan 

Climate Strategy 

TMF, SBU 

2 Climate Board 2008 SBU (responsible) 


Sustainability Strategy 

FV, TMF 

District cooling 2008- FV (responsible) 

Energy plan/District heating 

plan 

Strategy plan for AKF 


4 Energy-saving campaigns 2008- FV (responsible) 

Plan for resource and energy 

savings initiatives 

Energy savings fund 2008 FV (responsible) 

BF, SBU 

6 Energy management 2009- SBU (responsible) 


TMF, FV 

Local Government DK agreement 

7 Cooperation with the retail trade and 

business enterprises 


2008- TMF (responsible) 

Business plan 

FV 

8 Cooperation with the agricultural sector 2009- TMF (responsible) 

Business plan 

Plan for resource and energy 

savings initiatives 

FV 


9 Renewable energy in municipal 

buildings 

2008- SBU (responsible) 


TMF, FV 

10 Solar cells 2009-11 FV (responsible) 


Strategy plans for FV, AKE- 

Net, 

AKF 

TMF, SBU 

District heating plants 

in the Municipality of 

Aalborg 

Interest groups 

Energy companies 

Businesses 

Retail trade 

Agriculture 


The table continues overleaf

Climate (contd.) 

11 Wind turbines 2009- TMF (responsible) 

Wind turbine plan 

Energy plan 

Municipal development plan 

FV 


Landowners 


12 Biogas plants 2009- TMF (responsible) 

Energy plan/District heating 

plan 


FV 

Transport 

1 Public transport 2008- SBU (responsible) 

Public transport plan 


14 City buses 2010- SBU (responsible) 


Public transport plan 

1 Reduction of CO2 from transport 2008- TMF (responsible) 

Action Plan for Traffic & 

Environment 

SBU 


16 Sewers and sewage treatment plants 2008- FV (responsible) 

Wastewater plan 

17 Climate adaptation and preventive 

measures 

2012- SBU (responsible) 


FV, TMF 

18 Sewage and rainwater 2008- FV (responsible) 


19 Rainwater 2008- TMF (responsible) 



FV 

20 Flooding of areas 2008- TMF (responsible) 



FV 

Landbrug 

Energiselskaber 

4 Local initiative for sustainable development 

NT 

Agriculture 

Other landowners 

Landowners 

Interest groups

Resources 


Waste 

21 Cleaner technology in industry 2008- TMF (responsible) 

Business plan 

22 More recycling 2008- FV (responsible) 

Waste plan 

TMF 

2 Resource management 2009- TMF (responsible) 

Business plan 

FV 

24 Cooperation with the retail trade 2008- TMF (responsible) 

Business plan 

Waste plan 

FV 


2 Further action planning 2009- FV (responsible) 

Water utility supply plan 

Action plans 

TMF 

26 More environmental inspection 2009- TMF (responsible) 

Business plan 

27 Limited use of pesticides 2008- FV (responsible) 


Action plans 

Business plan 

TMF 

28 Pollution with wastewater 2008- FV (responsible) 



Action plans 

TMF 

29 Cooperation with farmers and landowners 

Building & construction 

0 Promotion of low-energy building and 

construction 



Business plan 


Action plans 


Business plan 

Other departments (client) 

1 Local plans with energy requirements 2008- TMF (responsible) 

Business plan 

2 Updated environmental manual 2008 TMF (responsible) 

Business plan 

Healthy building materials 2008- TMF (responsible) 

Business plan 

Businesses 

Businesses 

Agriculture 

Businesses 

Retail trade 

Landbruget 

Virksomheder 

Landbrug 

Agriculture 

Danish Forest and Nature 

Agency (Forest district) 


Agriculture 

Other landowners

Nature 

Initiative Budget Year Anchoring Parties 

Natural resorts 

4 Greater focus on continuous natural 

resorts 

Nature, park and open-air policy to be 

drawn up 


Municipal development 

plan 

Local plans 


Business plan 

6 Protection of threatened species 2008- TMF (responsible) 

Business plan 

Action plan (Natura 2000 

plan) 

7 Greater knowledge concerning biodiversity 

8 Better cooperation with citizens and 

private landowners 


9 Voluntary cultivation and set-aside 

agreements 

2008-11 TMF (responsible) 

Business plan 


plan) 


Business plan 


plan) 


Business plan 

Action plan (Water plan) 

40 Initiatives against pesticides 2008- TMF (responsible) 

Business plan 

FV 

41 Greater knowledge about lakes 2009- TMF (responsible) 

Business plan 


42 Maintenance of watercourses to lead to 

better conditions 

4 Initiatives in particularly vulnerable 

areas 


Business plan 


Regulations 


Business plan 


44 Rehabilitation of watercourses 2008- TMF (responsible) 

Business plan 


Environment Centre 




Agriculture 






Agriculture 

Fish farming 


Schools/Citizens 






Agriculture 

Fish farming 








Agriculture 

Fish farming 




Agriculture 



Agriculture 

Fish farming 



Housing associations and 

homeowner’s associations 



Agriculture 

Fish farming 


Citizens 

Agriculture 

Fish farming 


Agriculture 


Fish farming 


Agriculture 



Fish farming 


Nature (contd.) 


Wastewater 

4 Survey of discharge to areas vulnerable 

to pollution 

46 Tighter regulation of the discharge of 

wastewater 


Business plan 


FV 


Business plan 

FV 

47 Mandatory emptying of sediment tanks 2010- FV (responsible) 


48 Local seepage of rainwater 2009- TMF (responsible) 


plan 

FV 

The Limfjord 

49 Tighter regulation of farming in areas 

with particular needs 



0 Greater knowledge of diffuse pollution 2009- TMF (responsible) 

Business plan 

FV 

Farming and Fish farming 

1 Collaboration on green development 

plans 

2 Sustainable fish farming and agricultural 

production 


Business plan 


Business plan 



plan 

Agriculture 



Fish farming 


Limfjord Board 

Agriculture 






Agriculture 

Agriculture 

Fish farming 


Environment and Health 


Noice 

Use of low-noise asphalt 2008- TMF (responsible) 


Environment 

4 Designation of quiet areas 2009- TMF (responsible) 


Environment 

Noise Action plan 

More noise screening 2008- TMF (responsible) 


Environment 

Air pollution 

6 Buses with particle filters 2009- SBU (responsible) Nordjyllands Trafikselskab 

7 Idling 2009- TMF (responsible) 


Environment 

8 Parking fees 2008- TMF (responsible) 


Environment 

9 Cycle parking 2008- TMF (responsible) 


plan 

Local plans 

60 Shared car and city bicycle schemes 2009- TMF (responsible) 


Environment 

61 Eco-friendly forms of transport 2008- TMF (responsible) 


Environment 

Heavy metals and hazardous substances 

62 Greater knowledge concerning sources 

and impact 

6 Environmentally hazardous substances 

in industry 

64 Focus on environmentally hazardous 

substances in environmental inspection 

6 Environmentally hazardous substances 

in purchasing and private households 


Business plan 


Business plan 


Business plan 


Business plan 

Strategy plan 

FV (AKK) 

SBU 

66 Campaigns aimed at private households 2009 TMF (responsible) 

Business plan 

Strategy plan 

FV (AKK) 

SBU 

Soil pullution 

67 Polluted soil in institutions 2008- TMF (responsible) 

Business plan 

SOC 

Aalborg Rescue Centre 

Police 

Businesses 

Agriculture 

Danish Working Environment 

Authority 

Retail trade 

Businesses 



Putting our own house in order 

Initiative Budget year Forankring Parter 


68 Organic foodstuffs 2009-1 FV (responsible) 

Purchasing policy 

TMF, SBU, SKO, FAM, ÆLD, 

BF 

69 Environmentally-labelled printed matter 2010- FV (responsible) 



BF 

70 Hazardous substances 2008- SBU (responsible) 

TMF, FV, SKO, FAM, ÆLD, 

BF 

71 Lifecycle analyses 2008- FV (responsible) 



BF 

72 Updated environmental requirements 2008- SBU (responsible) 

TMF 

FV 

7 Eco-friendly vehicles 2008- FV (responsible) 



BF 


74 Evaluation of the objectives of the Sustainability 

Strategy 



Business plan 

FV, SBU, SKO, FAM, ÆLD, 

BF 

7 Operational units 2010- SBU(ansvarlig) 


BF 

76 Departments and institutions 2012- SBU (responsible) 


BF 

Environmental management 

77 Own operational units 2011 BF (responsible), 

TMF (responsible) 

78 All departments 2014 SBU (responsible) 


BF 

Suppliers 


Health and Sustainable Development 

Strandgade 1 

9240 Nibe 

Tel. +4 99 1 1242 

Fax +4 99 1 1249 

www.aalborgkommune.dk 

sbu@aalborg.dk 2008

Local Initiative for Sustainable Development - Aalborg Kommune

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Local Initiative for Sustainable Development - Aalborg Kommune

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