"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.
"We don't have time to wait! We need to implement and scale up the best solutions available today. There is no copyright between municipalities. We have a great responsibility to learn from each other," says Anders Almgren, Chairman the Municipal Council Chairman Lund, about climate change in the city. Read more about what is happening in Lund in the status report on our blog.
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
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.
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 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.
Helsingborg becomes the ninth municipality to sign the Memorandum of Understanding on Zero Emissions Construction, the joint initiative between Infra Sweden, Fossil Free Sweden and Viable Cities.
Leaders of change from 27 countries gathered in Sønderborg during the Rethink Cities Summit to share solutions for climate transition. Viable Cities participated with examples from Lund - where EnergyNet and Nordic collaborations were in focus.
The Government has appointed Viable Cities' Olga Kordas as a member of the Swedish International Climate Inquiry. The inquiry will contribute to stronger international climate work.
In Viable Cities Insight 2025:4, we have taken a closer look at how 2030 cities are working on climate investments and financing the transition. The analysis is based on the texts of Climate City Contract 2030.
UN-Habitat Director-General Anacláudia Rossbach visited the Viable Cities program office at KTH to discuss deepening cooperation with the program with a focus on accelerating climate change adaptation in cities.
In June, over 200 participants from all over the country gathered in Linköping for Transition Lab Forum 18. On our blog, Sandra Viktor, process manager Climate Neutral Linköping 2030, tells us about three days filled with energy, new knowledge and system movement under the theme of sustainable mobility.
To achieve climate-neutral cities and communities, we need to transform the construction sector. By choosing electrified machinery and heavy vehicles, we can reduce emissions, improve air quality and create safer, quieter urban environments.
The Vilnius conference confirmed that the pace is accelerating - more and more cities are mobilizing the power of local climate leadership to reach climate neutrality by 2030.
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.
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.
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.
How can citizen engagement be strengthened through new methods of dialogue, and create a basis for long-term involvement in the climate transition? Together for Helsingborg 2030 has explored this. On our blog, Olov Källgarn tells us about their findings.
Want to help save the world? The Viable Cities and ShiftSweden innovation programs both work mission-driven for a climate-neutral, sustainable and accessible world. We are now looking for interns who want to contribute to the development of communication in this field.
Sweden is now launching a pioneering solution for a decentralized energy supply that contributes to climate-neutral cities and communities. The solution, EnergyNet, was launched on April 26 in the Brunnshög district of Lund.
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.
With the ambition to reach climate neutrality by 2030, the pace of transition needs to increase significantly in Gävle, they write in their progress report. As in most other cities, transportation is the single biggest challenge. Gävle is mobilizing in several ways to tackle emissions.
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.
In Malmö, emissions from citizens' consumption are to be halved by 2030. To achieve this, more people need to reduce their everyday emissions. To get the message across, the city is investing in a fun communication campaign with concrete tips for a climate-smart everyday life.
Transitioning to climate-neutral and sustainable cities can save billions and improve citizens' quality of life. The Climate Investment Plan is a five-step methodology and tool that facilitates the transition, from the current situation to actions and who pays.
Local Climate City Contract between business and municipalities are a tool to create a common arena for the climate transition in many 2030 cities. In a new report, we have taken a closer look at what the local variants look like, and how they can be developed.
How companies and municipalities work together to support business and contribute to the climate transition - 100 examples. A new report presents different types of good examples of climate competitiveness from across Sweden.
Resilient and sustainable food systems are an important part of achieving climate-neutral and climate-adapted cities and communities. How can we move from research to transition? How do we collaborate to build knowledge and understanding of the system together, and create a common vision? And how can cities contribute to food production?
To achieve the climate goals, the organization needs to be rigged to handle all perspectives in the climate transition. In its progress report, the City of Helsingborg describes, among other things, a new implementation organization that will ensure both action and follow-up.
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.
How can society's laws and regulations better support the transition to climate-neutral cities? Within Viable Cities, municipalities and government agencies have identified some important areas to work on, including energy communities and waste heat recovery. The joint work is now presented in a report.
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.
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 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 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 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.
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.
The Viable Cities Champions 2024 are Olha Yukhymchuk, Margot Wallström and Stanislav Kukhtyk. The three receive the award because, despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, they are working for the green reconstruction of the country.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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...
Viable Cities has been implementing the Climate Smart Cities Challenge with partners since 2020. The 2024 edition of the World Cities Report Cities and Climate Action highlights the initiative as an example to be inspired by.
The transition in Skellefteå focuses on sustainable mobility, sustainable construction and sustainable industry. By mobilizing the whole community, they are working to increase biodiversity by creating environments that benefit local species, redesign the city's traffic flows to promote sustainable transport, bring together actors from different sectors to explore how public procurement can serve as a tool to reduce climate emissions, reduce the need for new energy sources by heating streets and buildings with waste heat... and much much more!
Kristianstad - a city in Skåne with a strong focus on the transition of the food system, energy, mobility, the construction industry and, not least, the rewetting of peatlands in the Kristianstads Vattenrike Biosphere Reserve. Kristianstad is working with local actors to achieve a climate-neutral, sustainable and resilient food system in Kristianstad, has recently adopted a sustainable development strategy that is followed up annually through a progress report, is mobilizing, together with local actors, for increased energy production, reliable electricity distribution and efficient energy use, and is developing its methodology for business-oriented climate investment plans.
Resilient and sustainable food systems are an important part of achieving climate-neutral and climate-adapted cities and communities. How can we move from research to transition? How do we collaborate to build knowledge and understanding of the system together, and create a common vision? And how can cities contribute to food production?
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