Copenhagen’s New Tourism Strategy Aims for a Greener Future

Tourism contributes nearly 8% of global CO2 emissions, with international arrivals expected to hit 1.8 billion by 2030. In response, Copenhagen has unveiled a new tourism strategy focused on sustainability and climate action.

Launched on World Tourism Day, the "All-Inclusive" strategy reimagines tourism as a shared responsibility between industry and visitors. Mikkel Aarø-Hansen, CEO of Wonderful Copenhagen, emphasized that tourism must address both its negative impacts, such as CO2 emissions and pressure on local communities, and its positive contributions like cultural exchanges.

A key component of the plan is a climate roadmap that targets emission reductions by 2030 and 2035, leading to carbon neutrality by 2050. This includes accounting for often-overlooked factors like air travel.

The CopenPay initiative, which encourages green actions among visitors and attractions, has already demonstrated a strong willingness to adopt sustainable practices. However, Aarø-Hansen insists that more needs to be done, and at a faster pace.

Copenhagen’s strategy aims not only to transform its own tourism sector but also to inspire global destinations to compete in sustainability efforts. By setting ambitious goals, the city hopes to lead the way in making tourism a force for positive environmental change.

Ultimately, Copenhagen aspires to become the world's most sustainable destination, driving international collaboration to address tourism’s role in the climate crisis.