ERS Spotlight Electrification and Energy Efficiency

The document examines how electrifying heating systems and improving energy efficiency in buildings can reduce urban emissions, highlighting Copenhagen's achievement of reducing building-related emissions by over 60% between 2019 and 2023. It notes that while such measures reduce emissions at the source, they can increase induced emissions if the electricity grid remains carbon-intensive.

• Copenhagen achieved a reduction in building-related emissions of more than 60% between 2019 and 2023 through efficiency upgrades, renewable district heating, and large-scale electrification. Currently, 98% of the city's buildings are connected to the district heating system, and approximately 85% of the heat supply is derived from renewable sources, with a target of 100% via fuel switching and large-scale heat-pump installations.
• The specific project impact for Copenhagen's district heating system is estimated at a total reduction of 110,000 tCO2e per year, consisting of 115,000 tonnes reduced at the location offset by 5,000 tonnes of induced emissions within the electricity sector.
• While electrification of heating systems and the use of large-scale heat pumps can rapidly reduce building emissions, these solutions can increase electricity demand, which may diminish mitigation gains if the electricity grid is carbon-intensive.

APA

Climate TRACE (2025). ERS Spotlight Electrification and Energy Efficiency. https://media.climatetrace.org/CT_Copenhagen_Buildings_2_5f99c0c1a2.pdf

Chicago

Climate TRACE. ERS Spotlight Electrification and Energy Efficiency. 2025. https://media.climatetrace.org/CT_Copenhagen_Buildings_2_5f99c0c1a2.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate TRACE |title=ERS Spotlight Electrification and Energy Efficiency |date=December 2025 |url=https://media.climatetrace.org/CT_Copenhagen_Buildings_2_5f99c0c1a2.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climatetrace2025ers, author = {{Climate TRACE}}, title = {{ERS Spotlight Electrification and Energy Efficiency}}, institution = {Climate TRACE}, year = {2025}, month = dec, url = {https://media.climatetrace.org/CT_Copenhagen_Buildings_2_5f99c0c1a2.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }