Inspiration, an election year, a bustling crowd, a morning swim, and renewed energy for action. That’s how we’d sum up Almedalen Week 2026 in Visby.
The Viable Cities program in Almedalen brought together a broad range of stakeholders from various parts of the social system to continue accelerating the pace of the climate transition. We held a Spy and apply in the park, met with political leaders from many of the 2030 cities, and gave a boost to the transition toward a climate-neutral built environment on the Teaterskeppet. It became clear that there is a consensus that the climate transition needs to be viewed from a broader societal perspective
where climate, competitiveness, resilience, water supply, energy security, civil preparedness, and housing supply increasingly need to be addressed together.
“My highlight was the discussions with municipal leaders, real estate companies, and construction firms about our ‘Half Away’ campaign. There is broad consensus on the need to invest in resource efficiency and the circular economy, where reuse is a key piece of the puzzle,” says our Chairman Wijkman.
The commitment to sustainability among young women is also striking. At least 80 percent of the participants in various seminars on climate and sustainability were women. “The question is, where are the men?” wonders Anders.
The program team had many opportunities to meet people from all over who are committed to our shared work during our time in Visby, where we both organized our own events and participated in those organized by others. On Thursday, the climate and sustainability experts—the seven “ministers”—in Aktuell Hållbarhet’s “Sunshine Government” were given a platform to discuss the measures Sweden needs to make the transition. The proposals focused on topics such as green jobs, tax reform, the role of cities and nature, infrastructure, and energy sovereignty.
“It was thought-provoking to be a ‘minister’ in Almedalen. Our proposals are fully feasible and could really accelerate the transition,” says program director Olga Kordas, who took on the role of “minister of urban development” for the day.
We co-organized a full day of events at the Sustainability Arena—Almedalen’s largest climate stage. The day began with a joint call to action for the real estate, construction, and civil engineering sectors to act now to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and cut construction-related emissions in half.
Together with Sally, Dark Matter Labs, Miljömatematik, and 9outof10meals, we also organized an in-depth exploration of the food systems of the future, where 60 guests were invited to taste and experience three different futures. The experience makes it clear what we are reinforcing with our current ways of working and living, and what we need to do to create the future we want to see.
“It’s powerful and amazing to see the participants’ emotions and reactions to the experience, and the willingness to change that emerges when things become concrete and real,” says Anette Olovborn of the Viable Cities team, who also helped design the concept.
This year’s Glo and Sno picnic was a success, featuring three exciting examples of scalable solutions and approaches: a youth citizens’ council developed and implemented in Karlstad, a new approach to engaging the business community in the climate transition and facilitating joint investments—a collaboration between Helsingborg and Umeå that can be scaled to cities across Europe—and a model for collaboration on the climate transition in Uppsala that has made an impact in areas ranging from reducing energy peaks in school kitchens to minimizing energy losses in classrooms.
Our collaboration with Region Gotland on Almedals Week as part of the “Climate-Neutral Cities 2030” initiative has continued to develop, including activities centered on a self-driving bus during the week. We look forward to continuing to develop Spy and apply and other initiatives together in the future.
During the week, a major campaign was also launched under the slogan “We Are Sweden” to defend our democracy and the climate. The campaign brought together a large number of artists and included both an op-ed and a live concert in Visby, and received extensive media coverage.
We also participated in discussions with the Peerpointing initiative regarding their new report, which highlights the climate engagement of the silent majority. So-called social misperceptions—where climate engagement is systematically underestimated—affect not only individual behavior but also which decisions are perceived as politically feasible.
As always, there was a wealth of important and interesting information and inspiring examples to draw on in our ongoing work. We’ve compiled a list of a few items of particular interest that we picked up on during the week. See the list below—it’s fun to browse through after a lovely summer!
Reports of a Europe sweltering in extreme heat, JAS fighter jets flying overhead, calls to go swimming in the sea, World Cup soccer fever, and a public festival featuring top artists, a turbulent world, and an intense election campaign all made Almedalen an experience that provides both inspiration and a sense of urgency for our work after a well-deserved rest. Thank you to everyone for these valuable days!
Some reports and links of particular interest related to Almedalen Week
Swedes’ Hidden Climate Engagement
A report from the Peerpointing initiative—comprising Green Mind, Studio Berget, Anthesis, and Felfritt—that highlights the climate commitment of the silent majority.
Watch the Almedalen seminar here
2026 Election: What Are the Parties Promising for the Environment?
The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation asked the parties in the Riksdag for their positions on 22 environmental proposals developed by the organization. All parties were questioned about their views on the proposals
Here you can watch the Q&A session with the parties in Almedalen.
Proposals for a People-Centered Climate Policy
During the Almedalen Week, a seminar was held featuring discussions with politicians based on the 24 reform proposals developed by the Fairtrans research program for a rapid, fair, and people-centered climate transition, in collaboration with LO, TCO, Saco, the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, Hela Sverige ska leva, the Swedish Union of Tenants, the Swedish Consumers’ Association, the Swedish Cycling Association, and Min Geaidnu, the Sami Parliament.
Here you’ll find the report with the proposals:
Here you’ll find an opinion piece based on the proposals:
Keep an eye out for the recording on the Fairtrans website:
Industry call to action to halve emissions from the construction sector:
During the full-day event at the Sustainability Arena focused on construction, the industry-wide call to action was based on the Reduction Roadmap to halve emissions from the construction sector. 160 stakeholders have signed on so far.
Read more about the Reduction Roadmap here:
Watch the seminar on the industry appeal here.
Call to Action to Defend Our Democracy and the Climate
A call to action under the slogan “We Are Sweden” to defend our democracy and the climate.
Read the op-edhere:
National Climate and Vulnerability Analysis
A report submitted to the government during Almedalen Week identifies the highest climate risks for Sweden through a comprehensive climate risk analysis. The analysis, conducted by the National Expert Council on Climate Adaptation, shows that climate risks are escalating faster than society’s current capacity to adapt.
Here you’ll find a news release from the Council.
Here you’ll find the report.
Fossil-Free Sweden: 10 Years
10 Years Back and 10 Years Forward – Reflections on the Turbulent Journey Toward a Fossil-Free Future. Fossil-Free Sweden’s mission is to accelerate the industry’s transition to a fossil-free future. This year, they’re celebrating their 10th anniversary and are giving Sweden’s leading opinion leaders and experts on climate transition the opportunity to look ahead and broaden their perspectives.
You can watch the conversation here
Green Travel Plans
Here you’ll find more information about Green Travel Plans for sustainable everyday travel, which were shared during our Glo and Sno picnic and on our bus at the harbor.
Here you’ll find materials about Green Travel Plans.
