Copenhagen is taking a bold step in the fight against climate change with the launch of its ambitious tourism strategy, which includes a comprehensive climate roadmap. The initiative addresses the pressing need for sustainable tourism as the industry currently contributes nearly 8% of global CO2 emissions. With international arrivals expected to reach 1.8 billion by 2030, the city is calling on the global tourism sector to take immediate action.
Wonderful Copenhagen, the city’s tourism board, has developed a detailed climate roadmap that outlines how the Danish capital’s tourism sector can reduce emissions significantly by 2030 and 2035. The ultimate goal is to achieve carbon neutrality (net zero) by 2050 at the latest. Unlike many other climate strategies, Copenhagen’s roadmap includes key factors like air travel, which are often excluded from similar calculations in other destinations.
"We need to take concrete and ambitious steps to reduce tourism’s climate footprint," said Mikkel Aarø-Hansen, CEO of Wonderful Copenhagen. "Our CopenPay initiative has already shown that there is genuine motivation among travelers and attractions to make green choices. But we must accelerate and scale these actions if we want to make a real impact."
While Copenhagen’s strategy sets a strong example for sustainable tourism, the city hopes its approach will inspire others. Aarø-Hansen emphasized the importance of global cooperation, stating, "Tourism is a global business, and it requires international efforts to transform the industry into a force for good. Copenhagen has the ability and responsibility to contribute significantly to this change."
The city is positioning itself as a global leader in sustainable tourism with the aim of becoming the world’s most sustainable travel destination. By raising the bar, Copenhagen hopes to spark a global competition among cities to adopt greener tourism practices.
This year’s World Tourism Day marks the beginning of Copenhagen’s new strategy, called All Inclusive, which promotes a more active and conscious approach to tourism. Moving away from passive travel, the strategy emphasizes shared responsibility between the tourism industry and travelers.
"When we measure tourism’s effects, it’s clear that it’s far from being truly 'all-inclusive'," Aarø-Hansen noted. "We must factor in the negatives, like the pressure on local communities and CO2 emissions, alongside the positives, such as cultural exchange and socioeconomic benefits."
Copenhagen’s new tourism strategy is more than just an environmental plan; it aims to foster enriching encounters between locals and visitors while addressing urgent challenges like climate change and overtourism. Wonderful Copenhagen’s roadmap represents a clear call to action, urging the tourism industry to embrace sustainability and transform into a driver of positive global change.
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