COPENHAGEN TO BE THE WORLD’S GREENEST METROPOLIS

The Danish capital is to be greener, healthier, have better conditions for bicycles and lower CO2 emission.

The Danish capital is to be greener, healthier, have better conditions for bicycles and lower CO2 emission.

All political parties in Copenhagen City Council committed themselves to this task and set aside a sum: So far more than DKK ½ billion over the next three years is to assist Copenhagen to be the world’s greenest metropolis in 2015, writes Politiken.

“Copenhagen has become quite a wealthy municipality and we can afford to be in front in the environmental area," says technique and environment mayor Klaus Bondam (R).

Approximately DKK 200 million is needed for improvement of the bicyclists’ conditions. They need more room and feel safer in the traffic.

Copenhagen’s CO2 emission is to be reduced by 20 per cent by 2015. So far DKK 175 million has been earmarked of which 75 for energy renovation of the municipalities' own buildings with double-glazed windows, solar panels and light control.

DKK 106 million is for more and better recreational areas. The beach at Svanemøllebugten is hopefully to be opened late in the summer of 2008 and a new harbour bath in Sydhavnen is also on the drawing board.

Copenhagen is to have mini parks just as other international metropolises have and the existing ones are to be upgraded with better playgrounds and more park keepers.