Chicago signs MoU on energy efficiency with Sønderborg Municipality

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The City of Chicago has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a Dutch municipality, to cooperate on energy efficiency. Both cities are focused on energy optimization and the agreement will create a platform for sharing knowledge and experiences with everything from policy development and regulation to research and innovation.

The Consulate General in Chicago will facilitate exchange visits between experts, regulatory actors, and relevant commercial actors, as well as arrange joint seminars, workshops, and a possible feasibility study on a public building in Chicago. The partnership will contribute to reaching both American and Danish goals to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that energy efficiency must contribute to approximately 40 percent of the necessary carbon emission reductions if the UN’s climate goals are to be met globally.

The City of Chicago recently released the 2022 Climate Action Plan, the first in 14 years, which outlines climate action goals and sets an interim target of a 62% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

“We are excited to partner with the Sønderborg Municipality as we push forward with our sustainability efforts for the City of Chicago,” said Chief Sustainability Officer Angela Tovar. “This memorandum will serve as a key reminder of the importance of partnership and exchange of knowledge as we look for policy solutions to our climate goals.”

Denmark has developed a platform for energy-efficient solutions and through Project Zero, where the goal is to reduce the carbon footprint of the municipality to zero in 2029, they have positioned themselves as a global frontrunner on making a green transition.

“We hope with this memorandum of understanding that we can support the City of Chicago’s sustainable ambitions. Sønderborg Municipality is a living demonstration of great energy savings. For example, through our renovation of many municipal buildings, whilst also setting sustainable requirements for new constructions,” said Erik Lauritzen, Mayor of Sønderborg Municipality.

Denmark is a small country, and reducing our climate footprint is but a small part of a successful green transition on a global scale. Denmark has experience and solutions that contribute to this transition outside of the Danish borders, and this partnership will ensure successful energy transition for the City of Chicago as well.

“With Denmark’s green leadership position and strongholds within energy efficiency, this cooperation between Sønderborg Municipality and City of Chicago is meant to be a platform where we can inspire each other with learnings and solutions across the Atlantic to reach our climate goals most efficiently,” says Frank Hansen, Consulate General of Denmark in Chicago.

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