Example of cooperation

When Viable Cities, together with the Climate Municipalities and the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions, asked for good examples of climate-oriented collaboration between municipalities and business , the response was great and the collection was gratifyingly long. An analysis of the material showed that the collaboration can be grouped into three different types of action areas: sector-specific initiatives, general business initiatives and innovation collaboration. A good start to the work of accelerating collaboration between municipalitiesbusiness is therefore to explore how other municipalities have worked with the issue.

A. General economic measures

There are plenty of initiatives that are not aimed at any specific sector. Examples include how the municipality works with climate aspects linked to business development, establishment, development, procurement, industrial symbiosis, skills supply, circular economy, financing, climate adaptation and open and shared data. 

B. Sector-specific actions

Many collaborative efforts are focused on different sectors that also correspond well to those that also account for much of the emissions, such as transport, energy, construction, food and tourism/events. 

C. Innovation cooperation

New solutions in the form of goods and services, but also ways of working, are a central part of the climate transition work. Here, the municipality has many opportunities to influence through collaboration in various research and development projects and programs. In addition, there are often opportunities to influence through owner directives, funding and/or participation in the boards of incubators, science parks and science centers. 

Examples of collaboration

Below are more concrete examples of collaboration gathered from a variety of municipalities in Sweden with different conditions and sizes. They are grouped according to focus: sector-specific initiatives, general business initiatives and innovation collaboration.