Thomas Kastrup- Larsen, Mayor of Aalborg. Vision

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1 Green Aalborg

2 Vision Aalborg is creating a sustainable foundation for a city future based on a holistic understanding of sustainability. Liveability, social well-being, environmental and economic health are all part of Aalborg s vision, a vision to be a green place where people thrive. Thomas Kastrup- Larsen, Mayor of Aalborg

3 Sustainability Legacy Aalborg Charter (1994): Is a key sustainability document in Europe with over 3,000 signatories. It was approved at the first European Conference on Sustainable Cities & Towns in Inspired by Rio Earth Summit s Local Agenda 21 plan, the Charter is based on the consensus of individuals, muncipalities, NGOs, national and international organisations and scientific bodies. Aalborg Commitments (2004): A list of commitments that Aalborg has agreed to fulfil agreed upon by consensus from participants at the 4th European Conference on Sustainable Cities & Towns. Aalborg Commitments have over 700 signatories. A continuation of this commitment was embodied in the 2016 Basque Declaration in which Aalborg plays a key role.

4 Sustainability Strategy Aalborg's Sustainability Strategy ( ) sets out guiding principles and goals for social development, green economic growth, development across education, employment and health, and fundamentally, environmental protection and improvement. The Sustainability Strategy is our framework for municipal planning and regulation of the environment and is a backbone for Aalborg's green transition, maintaining a strong focus on citizens. The Strategy acknowledges the nine planetary boundaries necessary to maintain the health and stability of the global systems. Embedded in the heart of the Strategy is our recognition that we all have a role to play in global sustainability challenges, and that we will do it together. The Strategy focuses on consumption, production, SMART solutions, the circular and shared economy, and in particular the wellbeing and high quality of life for our citizens.

5 The Centre for Green Transition The Center for Green Transition was created in 2013 and is a central driver of the green transition in the City of Aalborg. The Center for Green Transition is an umbrella of projects addressing sustainability and partnerships throughout the city. Among other things, the Centre supports initiatives that are a part of the municipality's Climate Strategy and Sustainability Strategy. This work supports the obligations outlined in the Aalborg Commitments. The Centre acts as a central point for coordinating a range of the city s stakeholders, including citizens, businesses, and municipal departments. The Centre is also behind the city s annual Sustainability Festival which showcases sustainability projects and ideas, while diffusing knowledge to citizens.

6 Sustainability Festival The annual Aalborg Sustainability Festival is a showcase for sustainability-related initiatives and ideas. It is a collaborative effort involving citizens, businesses, government, NGOs and other parties in an discussion of sustainabilityrelated issues. The Festival is one of the municipality's key events for spreading green ideas to citizens, while showing the diversity of sustainability projects that the city is undertaking. Promoting sustainable behaviours, practices and thinking is a priority for the municipality, and is powered by the Centre for Green Transition. The Sustainability Festival is also a key networking event for businesses and individuals, furthering the mission of the Centre for Green Transition to connect groups for a coordinated sustainable city transition.

7 The Green Agents Sustainable living should be easy for everyone and so a small team of Green Agents are ready to guide, and develop sustainable ideas in cooperation with any person, organisation or institution within Aalborg, whether it concerns energy saving, waste management, urban gardening, circular or shared economy, and other activities. The Green Agents have a variety of partners and collaborators to draw know-how from within the Centre for Green Transition and other departments of the Aalborg Municipality, as well as outside stakeholders. Green Agents are involved in activities like conferences, seminars, outreach meetings, and the annual Sustainability Festival. They also connect and communicate through social media. The goal is to meet the citizens "where they are" and support those who want to contribute to the sustainability agenda through voluntary work.

8 Network for Sustainable Business Developemnt The network is a private-public cooperation between the municipalities in Northern Denmark, local business bureaus, Energi Nord, Aalborg University and private companies. The aim of the network (NBE) is to strengthen the participating companies competitive advantages through targeted efforts towards sustainability. In the network, companies can share knowledge across industries about the environment, sustainability and climate. The companies are able to conduct a sustainability screening of their processes to optimize the use of energy and materials, to reduce the use of resources, and to develop more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly products. NBE regularly hosts meetings where companies discuss sustainability and share inspiration with other companies with the same interests.

9 Green Shops Green Shops is a public-private partnership between Aalborg Municipality, Aalborg City Association, Aalborg Storcenter, City Nord Business and the North Denmark Business, recognising businesses that are environmentally conscious. The network consists around 100 stores across Aalborg. In practice, being a Green Shop involves things such as increasing efficiency of electricity and water use to reduce environmental impact and save on costs. The focus of the program is an attitude towards being environmentally conscientious in all aspects of running a business, from waste cycles, to employee practices to sourcing ethically produced products. Green Shops can be identified by the Green Shop logo usually placed in the shop window, telling customers that they are supporting a business that is contributing to and supportive of the city s green transition. The benefit for businesses is that once part of the program, they are given a competitive edge being able to advertise themselves as a Green Shop.

10 Contact Anders Du Mont-Thygesen, Projektleder E: P: The Centre for Green Transition Stigsborg Brygge 5 Nørresundby, Denmark P: W: