The Lord Mayor of Copenhagen, Frank Jensen, today officially opened C40’s permanent office in the city, the municipality of Copenhagen writes in a press release Monday.
Drawing on the unique expertise in sustainable urban development found in Copenhagen, the new C40 office will serve as a centre for the network’s global Business, Economy and Innovation Programme.
By supporting greater cooperation between C40 cities and the private sector they will help to overcome one of the major barriers to mayors delivering on their ambitious climate change agendas.
"Copenhagen has one of the world's most ambitious climate plans and is on track to reduce CO2 emissions to zero by 2025,” said Simon Hansen, Head of C40 Copenhagen office.
“There are great opportunities for C40 in opening an office in Copenhagen to draw on the knowledge here. The city has created a wide range of green solutions in urban planning, energy, cycling infrastructure and much more, which cities all over the world want to learn from."
Mayor Frank Jensen serves as vice-chair of the C40 network, representing the 16 innovator cities within the network on the organisation’s Steering Committee.
Amongst most active cities
Copenhagen is amongst the most active cities within C40 and leads their green growth network.
"That C40, as the world’s leading climate network for megacities, is opting to set up a base in the city is official recognition of Copenhagen’s position as a green leader,” said Frank Jensen, Lord Mayor of Copenhagen.
“This will encourage still more mayors around the world to look at Copenhagen’s solutions for inspiration in developing their cities, and it will become a major showcase for green Danish businesses."
“Copenhagen is setting the standard for what cities can achieve in tackling climate change,” said Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris and Chair of C40.
“The leadership of my friend Lord Mayor Jensen is an inspiration to mayors across the C40 network. With a permanent C40 office in Copenhagen that leadership will continue to grow.”
Three strategic funders
C40’s work is made possible thanks to the support of three strategic funders including the Danish philanthropy Realdania, in addition to Bloomberg Philanthropies and Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF).
“The Danish C40 office means that companies and municipalities across all of Denmark will gain unique access to the international environments where decisions about future urban development are discussed and where solutions will be developed and tested. I look forward to the increased exchange between Danish and international experience which this office will contribute towards, and which I am certain will be a big plus for Danish municipalities and companies."
The C40 office will be located in the former military storage facility, Fæstningens Materialgård on Copenhagen Harbour as part of the innovation and growth hub BLOXHUB, which has been established by the Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs, the City of Copenhagen and Realdania.
BLOXHUB is an association of Danish and international companies and other actors working with sustainable innovative urban development.
