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Bygdsam and Arken Library contribute to climate-neutral Örnsköldsvik

We offer some weekend reading from the north: "Örnsköldsvik is transforming together, with the entire municipal group driving the change. We are doing this step by step, together with people, companies, and associations throughout the municipality. Because we know that everything we do counts." This is what process leader Linn Backman Hallberg, Örnsköldsvik Municipality, writes in her status report on the local transition journey.

15-minute city in the works in Lomma

A 15-minute city in Lomma? Yes, it's in the works. Lomma has already made and plans to make major investments to create one, through densification, the creation of squares, and the concentration of commerce, culture, and services in central locations and recreation in the surrounding area. Lomma Municipality is one of the municipalities that joined the Climate Neutral Cities 2030 initiative in December 2024 and is a twin city, i.e., it has joined forces with Climate Neutral Lund 2030. What does the transition work look like in Lomma right now? Process leaders Ulrika Håkansson Ström and Per Blomberg have the floor.

Kristianstad right now: “Every effort reaches someone new—whether an individual or an organization—who wants to contribute”

What is happening right now in the local transition journey in Kristianstad municipality? Quite a lot, as it turns out. One exciting initiative is Gården i centrum (The Farm in the Center), where local actors—farmers, banks, public actors, food companies, and insurance companies—are working together to explore what measures can be taken on a farm to either reduce greenhouse gas emissions or increase carbon storage. Read more in the status report from Klimatneutrala Kristianstad 2030 (Climate-Neutral Kristianstad 2030).

Citizens' council and energy transition in Örebro

"The climate challenge is complex, and complex challenges require changes in working methods. And it is precisely these changes in working methods that we have focused on in the municipality's revised climate strategy," says Peter Larsson, municipal director of Örebro Municipality, in the status report from Climate Neutral Örebro 2030. You can read much more about Örebro's work with climate change on our blog.

Climate Breakfast 43: How do we future proof our cities in times of climate crisis and multiple threats?

A Climate Breakfast logo written in white text on a purple circle with a green background plate.

In October 2024, Valencia was hit by a flooding disaster of enormous proportions, resulting in the loss of more than 200 lives and extensive material damage - with knock-on effects throughout the community. This climate-related disaster has become a wake-up call, and important work is now underway in Spain to future-proof cities and regions by integrating both risk management and climate adaptation measures

Good mobility solutions from Sweden highlighted in Brazil

Green travel plans, fossil-free fleet procurement targets and harnessing synergies from national initiatives. Swedish cities and government agencies are inspiring. At the Sweden-Brazil Innovation Week in October, the work being done in Lund and Stockholm on system demonstrators was highlighted, as well as insights from the analysis of transport and mobility from all Climate City Contract 2030 from last year.

Public procurement as a lever for climate-neutral cities

Construction site in town

Can public procurement contribute to better public health, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, higher quality of life in cities, better working conditions - while supporting Swedish innovation? The answer is yes. By setting requirements for electrified construction projects, municipalities and public procurers can accelerate the transition to fossil-free cities.

Sweden joins CHAMP

Sweden is raising its climate ambitions internationally and joining CHAMP, a global platform to accelerate climate action in cities. Viable Cities will coordinate Sweden's participation in the initiative.

Climate Breakfast 42: Green travel plans

A Climate Breakfast logo written in white text on a purple circle with a green background plate.

Everyday travel to and from home, school, work and leisure activities accounts for a large share of transport emissions and is therefore an important part of cities' climate transition efforts. This climate breakfast addressed how Green Travel Plans can facilitate everyday travel that can reduce climate emissions and contribute to many added benefits of climate transition such as improved health, gender equality, inclusion, better accessibility and attractive workplaces.

Viable Cities Insight 2025:2 - how to organize local transition efforts

In Viable Cities Insight 2025:2, we have taken a closer look at how 2030 cities are organizing themselves at the local level to accelerate the transition, both within the municipal organization and together with other actors in the transition arena. The analysis is based on the texts in Climate City Contract 2030 and in the progress reports produced by the cities. 

Premiere of Viable Cities Insight - #1 Climate Smart Transport and Mobility

Today, we are publishing Viable Cities Insight 2025:1. Through them, we provide short analyses of actions taken under the programme, such as the Climate City Contract 2030 updated by 2030 cities every year. In the first insight, we take a closer look at how cities describe the local climate transition in terms of transport and mobility in Climate City Contract 2030 and in the 2030 cities' progress reports of the same year.

Transition Lab Forum 17 - Lund reports what happened

Mattias Goldman and Yasemin Arhan Modéer who run the podcast Climate for Dummies together with Jon Andersson and Markus Paulsson who visited the podcast from Lund Municipality.

On our blog, process leader Madeleine Wahlund and the team in Lund tell us about three packed days where finance experts, city process leaders and finance departments, academia and government agencies put their heads together to find new ways to collaborate, think and invest to integrate finance into the transition.

A joint European Declaration to scale up Cities Mission

Nearly 60 European cities and platforms have expressed their support for a joint declaration to further accelerate cities' climate transition. The document has now been handed over to the European Commission and will be used as a lever in further joint efforts towards climate-neutral cities. 

Borlänge creates commitment to the climate throughout Dalarna

In Borlänge, car traffic is to be reduced by a fifth by 2030. The municipality's purchases of organic food are to increase to at least 80 percent and at least 30 percent of the municipality's food purchases are to be locally produced by the same year. Already today, 54 actors have signed a local Climate City Contract in Borlänge and even more are on the way. Borlänge municipality tells us about this and much more in the State of 2030 cities on Linkedin.

Östersund: Climate work synonymous with improved quality of life for all

With a strong connection to the region's natural resources, local business and research, Östersund strives for long-term sustainable solutions. They want to create a society where efficient energy use, circular economy and sustainable transportation are obvious choices for residents and businesses. Choices that may initially be uncomfortable and unfamiliar, but which in the long run will generate a better and more beautiful Östersund.  

With electric vehicles, million-dollar climate programs and a strong transition arena - this is how Kalmar works

In the picture: Kalmar in the sun

Kalmar municipality's long-term goal is to become one of Sweden's best municipalities in ecological sustainability, climate transition and climate adaptation! How do we achieve this? Well, among other things, 60% of all journeys will be made by bicycle, walking and public transport by 2035 and a new purchasing and procurement policy will be developed with stricter requirements for fossil-free transport, construction and contracting projects and circular economy. In addition, an increased share of electricity will be both locally produced and renewable with the goal of becoming self-sufficient by 2035. Kalmar municipality is sharing this and much more as part of the State of 2030 Cities. 

Eskilstuna makes Climate Revolution and reuses materials

In the picture: Eskilstuna makes Climate Commitments 2024 (Climate Evolution*).

Eskilstuna is working on collaboration, recycling, logistics, citizen engagement and much more - they are doing Climate Revolution! Eskilstuna's goal is to be climate positive by 2045 and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2030. This also includes consumption-based emissions, which is a major challenge, but very important because they account for such a large proportion of emissions. The work is done in collaboration both internally and together with external actors in the five focus areas of the climate program: Transport and travel sustainably, Use and produce energy efficiently, Build, renovate and construct with low climate impact, Consume and produce sustainably, Store and absorb greenhouse gases.

Lund speeds up pilot tests and inclusive mobility

Lund Municipality is accelerating to increase the pace of the transition to achieve the goal of climate neutrality by 2030. The municipality needs to strengthen collaboration both internally and with external actors. In Lund's transition work, the focus is therefore currently on organization, financing, and continued mobilization of climate work, both internally and externally. The biggest sources of emissions that the municipality needs to work with going forward are transport and agriculture.

In preparation for the 2025 budget, Lund City Council has allocated an extra SEK 40 million for a strengthened climate package. This means that climate work will get a real boost during the year. Examples of initiatives to be implemented during the year are pilot projects for sustainable travel in schools, the establishment of a rebuilding depot for building materials, energy efficiency of street lighting and extra funds for the operation and planting of trees.

Stockholm invests in a green zone in the city, sustainable care for the elderly and a test bed for fossil-free construction

In the picture: Slussen, Vattentorget. Photo: Olivia Laidwa Collin.

Stockholm was one of the first cities to receive the EU's Mission Label for its climate work, and with this in mind, the city continues to work for the transition by connecting, strengthening and further developing existing cooperation structures. Together with the city's stakeholders and citizens, they are investing in increased electrification and more efficient transport, electrified construction, carbon capture and storage, reduced plastic use and increased sorting, and not least an environmental zone in the city - which is also part of the system demonstrator STOLT.

Citizens take center stage in Gothenburg's transition efforts

Pictured: A kind of mini-Gothenburg has developed recommendations on participation in the city's environmental and climate transition. Photo: Salomon Abresparr.

In Gothenburg, there is a strong focus on developing the city's ability to create and utilize citizen engagement in the environmental and climate transition, and in the spring of 2024, the city conducted a so-called citizens' council, where 30 people were given the opportunity to contribute thoughts and suggestions on how the city can engage and involve residents in transforming society for the environment and climate. Gothenburg is also working with a broad toolbox to create a more sustainable and efficient mobility system that will benefit citizens, including efforts for walking and cycling, trams, electrified buses, micromobility and trains. Mobility is a major issue for the city, but it is also working on climate-neutral construction, circular economy, farming, green infrastructure and nature-based solutions, and much more.

Järfälla has high ambitions, clear methods and one of Sweden's largest urban development projects

In Järfälla, the expansion of Barkarbystaden is underway - one of Sweden's largest urban development projects. To reduce emissions from construction transport, a logistics solution has been procured, with the aim of coordinating and optimizing resources for the thousands of construction transports that need to get in and out. The municipality is also working on an internal reuse system, where furniture and equipment within the municipal organization are reused. Not only that, Järfälla has several initiatives in a portfolio for the transition, including a strategy for sustainable urban development, circular construction, sustainable transport and positive energy districts (PED). In Järfälla, they build, furnish and plan for the future!

48 cities link arms in global climate transition

48 Swedish municipalities sign Climate City Contract 2030 and Declarations of Intent during European Viable Cities Day 2024. Photographer: Fredrik Persson.

48 Swedish municipalities, representing more than half of Sweden's population, are now joining forces for the climate transition from local to global level. During the European Viable Cities Day, the highest political leadership from the municipalities, directors general from government agencies and other Swedish and international key actors gather to strengthen the mobilization for the climate across national borders.

Nacka steps up climate action - now and for the future

New and ambitious climate and environmental goals are being developed in Nacka's new climate and environmental program. The municipality is working on initiatives in several areas, from mobility and urban planning to organization and procurement. Among other things, the municipality has invited to a land allocation competition focusing on innovative solutions for minimized climate impact throughout the life cycle, free lending at libraries of different types of meters for energy and climate advice, and offering a recycling market for private individuals. There are thus several initiatives underway in Nacka municipality for climate change adaptation, of varying scope and scale, and there is active follow-up to ensure that the right things are being done and done right.

48 municipalities join forces for the climate

48 of Sweden's 290 municipalities are joining forces to tackle the climate crisis. It is now clear which cities, together with Viable Cities and six government agencies , will join forces in the next phase for climate-neutral and sustainable cities. This is also part of a growing global mobilization for climate transition in cities, where the EU is taking the lead and Swedish cities are pioneers.

Mobilization, partnership and social innovation central to Umeå's transition

In the picture: Construction Recycling Festival with Hedlundaskolan.

A central strategy in Umeå's work is to mobilize and strengthen partnerships and collaboration between partners, based on the Umeå Climate Roadmap's focus areas. Over 60 partners are part of Umeå's climate roadmap and collaborate and learn from each other to strengthen local climate work. With the municipality at the forefront, Umeå has developed a handbook on how to lead an effective climate transition, started an economic association to increase knowledge for circular construction and establish Byggåterbruket, and organized a construction recycling festival for students and staff.

Citizen involvement, collaboration and board games - how Mariestad works

Pictured: The Mariestad Transition Team proudly showing off the Mariestad Climate Game.

Mariestad has been working on innovative green solutions for almost ten years, and the Climate Neutral Mariestad 2030 mission brings together everyone working for the climate in Mariestad - business, individuals and other actors - in Mariestad's transition arena. Together, they work for a climate-neutral association life, sustainable passenger transport to and from workplaces, sustainable construction, hydrogen as an energy source and board games as a tool.

Enköping is investing in multi-level transition arenas and targeted efforts

Pictured: Onboarding of the Climate Roadmap in Enköping.

By integrating sustainability issues into its core activities, Enköping Municipality is acting proactively in the climate transition, and the municipality is investing in creating a culture where sustainability permeates both the municipal organization and the city. With tools such as a carbon budget and in-depth climate knowledge, the municipality works, among other things, with the role and potential of small businesses, urban planning where sustainability goals are to be reflected, reduced energy consumption in public premises using the EnOff model and influencing attitudes, behaviors for sustainable travel, and much more.

Borås tests climate council teams and a sustainable SM week

Hackathon on sustainable construction with students in Borås. Photo: Science Park Borås.

Borås aims to be fossil-free by 2030, and with that goal in mind, the municipality is taking overall responsibility as a cog in the transition. Together with companies, organizations and citizens, the whole of Borås is mobilizing in the true spirit of "knalle". They are working with green frameworks for financing, sustainability roadmaps for events, hackathons, citizen involvement, open dialogues and much much more...

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Viable Cities is a strategic innovation program with the mission of achieving climate-neutral cities by 2030, ensuring a good quality of life for all within the planet’s limits. The program is funded by the Swedish Energy Agency, Vinnova and Formas and coordinated by KTH.

Viable Cities is funded through a joint initiative by the Swedish Energy Agency, Vinnova, and Formas

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