In today's cities, we travel in a way that is unsustainable, generating high emissions and using far more resources than the planet can sustain, while creating unequal conditions for citizens. To transform mobility and places for a climate-neutral future, we need radical implementation of existing and new solutions that can be scaled up and create the new normal. During Transition Lab Forum 16 in Gothenburg, we will delve into the future of places and mobility as a key issue in the transition to Climate Neutral Cities 2030.
The energy system needs to be transformed to phase out fossil fuels and achieve climate neutrality. To create a resilient, secure and just energy transition, new forms of energy production are needed that combine large-scale, centralized production with small-scale, decentralized production in new ways. This systemic shift presents challenges and opportunities. As we focus on putting new technological systems in place and making energy use more efficient, we also need to consider how it affects people's economic and social situations and living environments. During this Transition Lab Forum, we will explore how the municipality, together with other stakeholders, can ensure a fair and sustainable energy transition.
Lund is home to the world's largest low-temperature, fossil-free district heating network. The MAX IV laboratory and the ESS research facility heat the city using residual heat. The aim is for other parts of Lund to also receive low-temperature heat in the networks in the future. Then Lund can grow without increasing emissions from district heating!
In Sweden, several researchers have worked closely together with cities and national innovation actors to support them in steering sustainability transitions by contributing to learning from practice, increased reflexivity and helping to identify evidence about system change. This role got the name of 'följeforskare' (literal translation from Swedish is 'following' or 'companion' researcher). Together we will explore what makes "följeforskning" special in terms of benefits and challenges, why it is especially relevant in accelerating the transition to climate neutral cities, and what role it can play for both cities and national support platforms.
On March 6, 2024, we opened a call that gives several Swedish cities the opportunity to increase the pace of transition and show the way for others in Climate Neutral Cities 2030 3.0. During this Climate Breakfast, we talked about the international aspect of Climate Neutral Cities 2030 and what role internationalization plays in the local transition work.
Almost every city in the Climate Neutral Cities 2030 initiative has a higher education institution. How can they contribute to the climate transition, beyond research and education? During Climate Breakfast 33, we explore how higher education institutions can accelerate their contribution to the climate transition by collaborating in new ways.
A research study has identified the four lifestyle choices that are most effective in reducing a person's carbon footprint: eating a plant-based diet, avoiding air travel, living without a car and having fewer children.
The Lund Innovation District connects environments and actors to create synergies and to support a more complex transformation with interdisciplinary needs. Cultural and creative industries have an important role in the work on a digital, sustainable and green transition. The Future by Lund innovation platform has been tasked with leading the co-creation work.
In Lund, the Brunnshög district is being developed with the aim of being at the forefront of development in everything from large technical systems, such as tramways and district heating, to smaller initiatives, such as rain barrels and car pool membership. A neighborhood that is sustainable - for real.
How can students accelerate the transition to Climate Neutral Cities 2030? At Climate Breakfast 27, STUNS in Uppsala participates, which has long worked to develop the collaboration concept Stories, a concept where students within the framework of their studies solve sustainability challenges.
During the Transition Lab Forum 9, a number of key actors working in different ways on the issue of climate-smart mobility met. Among other things, it was about mobile hubs and shared mobility; quite simply: How do we manage our everyday trips without a car? We also got an insight into the host city Helsingborg's work on climate change. The event was organized together with Drive Sweden during H22.
Within Viable Cities, nine cities are developing climate investment plans to mobilize transition capital, both from municipalities and other actors, to make cities climate-neutral by 2030. This work will help overcome thresholds for a faster and profitable climate transition.
Transition Lab Forum 5 explores how short- and long-term investments for climate transition can create both business opportunities and a more sustainable city. Research shows that climate investments can generate significant benefits, both direct economic gains and added value such as jobs, cleaner air and better health.
To transition to climate-neutral and sustainable cities, we need to communicate with citizens, business and many other stakeholders. Communicators are often located both centrally in the municipalities and out in administrations and municipal companies. To create more power in communication efforts, Lund Municipality has formulated a strategy to coordinate sustainability communication across all departments.
Forum 3 is about how sustainable communities can be shaped by everyone together, from a concrete, practical perspective with inspiration and good examples, both to engage citizens and to shape local Climate City Contract. Day 2 will focus on financing the climate transition and how to engage citizens in it.
