Aarhus – Capital of Wind Energy - Aarhus.dk

#7The City of Aarhus hascommitted itself to becomecarbon neutral in 2030. Windenergy factors heavily in thepolitical strategy.Aarhus Aspiring forGreen Leadership• The Aarhus City Council has decided to make Aarhus carbon neutral by 2030• Energy reduction and sustainable energy production are the core elements in an ambitious political strategy• Mobilizing enterprises, citizens, and the scientific community behind this agenda will be instrumental tosuccessThe city of the future is green. Around the world, plannersand politicians are sketching ambitious concepts for sustainablecities, and front runners like Aarhus are alreadylocked on target. As early as 2007, the Aarhus City Councillaunched an ambitious and proactive climate strategywith energy efficiency and sustainable energy as its keyelements.The political vision at the core of this strategy is thatAarhus must become carbon neutral by 2030. On the roadto this goal, the city wants to be an attractive developmentcentre, testing ground and showcase for green solutionsand technologies. The underlying mindset is that climatechange and the policies addressing it need not limit thecity’s growth. On the other hand, they offer new businessopportunities and growth prospects. Through a number ofpolicies and initiatives, the city is trying to establish a favourableframework for green growth and green industries.Wind power is a top priority. Not just as a vital part ofa switch to renewable energy sources, but also as a drivingforce in green business development.”We want to be a green city, and a large part of our energyconsumption must be covered by wind. It is an energysource that we are already familiar with, we have a a strongindustrial foundation here, and we expect that it can bringus a sizeable step closer to carbon neutrality. Regardingour desire to be a ‘demonstratorium’ of new green solutions,wind power will also play a special role. We wish tobe a solid testing ground for wind technologies,” says climatedirector at the City of Aarhus, Jan Nielsen.The City is taking measures to erect more wind turbines,establish research and business partnerships and invest inbetter exploitation of windpower.From Vision to SuccessAarhus aspires to set a new national standard for greencities – and become a role model for other cities, when itcomes to sustainability and green policies.As the city’s climate vision states: “Aarhus takes the leadin the climate struggle to develop a sustainable municipalitythrough initiatives which affect buildings and physicalstructures as well as citizens’ behavoiur. Aarhus will putits own house in order, go through with demonstrationprojects and influence national legislation.”A large part of our energy consumptionmust be covered by wind. It isan energy source that we are alreadyfamiliar with, we have a a strongindustrial foundation here, and weexpect that it can bring us a sizeablestep closer to carbon neutrality.Jan Nielsen, Climate Director, City of Aarhus48 Mondaymorning Aarhus – Capital of Wind Energy 49