The Next Step in the Effort to Drive Local Energy Transition

The Next Step in the Effort to Drive Local Energy Transition—With an Eye Toward the EU Innovation Fund September 4, 1:00–3:00 p.m., online Register How can Swedish cities work together to accelerate the energy transition, strengthen their resilience, and at the same time attract significant European capital? In recent years, …

Climate City Contract celebrates five years

Today, on European Viable Cities Day, we celebrate that 48 Swedish municipalities are mobilizing for climate-neutral cities by 2030, with a good life for everyone within the planet's limits. At the same time, Climate City Contract is celebrating its fifth anniversary.

Climate Hope Meeting and Café Planet engage in Eskilstuna

civil society citizens are central to the local transition journey in Eskilstuna Municipality. The Climate Hope Meeting, Knowledge Festival, World Environment Day, Litter Pick-up Days, Mobility Week, and Earth Hour—every year, a series of events are organized to increase engagement and awareness of environmental and climate issues. Now they are planning for even more citizen involvement and dialogue for a just transition, writes Elin Svanström, process leader for Climate Neutral Eskilstuna 2030.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Energy communities - this is where it happens

municipal energy communities

A ketchup effect that goes on a bit in secret. This is how one could describe what is currently happening in local energy landscapes around Sweden and the rest of Europe. Energy communities are here to stay and their potential is great. The question is what the role of municipalities will be in the future.

Radical implementation theme at European Viable Cities Day

The 2023 version of Climate City Contract 2030 was signed by the political leadership of the 23 cities and directors general from six government agencies and Viable Cities management on December 8. Photographer: Fredrik Persson

With seven years left to achieve the mission of climate-neutral cities by 2030, radical implementation is required. In 23 Swedish pioneering cities, many efforts are currently underway to contribute to the transition in various ways. The European Viable Cities Day on 8 December celebrated successes to date and sharpened future climate action.

15 studies for a faster climate transition

Photo: Ivan Dostal via Unsplash

Citizen engagement, climate investments and regional collaboration have a big impact on reducing emissions, but it needs to be faster. Now 15 initiatives across Sweden are receiving funding to explore how this can be done in a shorter timeframe.

Mini meeting in Borlänge paid big dividends 

Gävle, Borlänge and Eskilstuna are three of the "newer" municipalities in the Climate Neutral Cities 2030 initiative. This week, the project managers from the three met at the Palladium in Borlänge for joint learning.
- "There is great value in developing existing and finding new forms of cooperation between the cities when climate work is accelerated," says Evelina Loberg, project manager in Gävle municipality.

Swedish cities and government agencies inspire climate change in Europe

23 cities and five government agencies are now working with Climate City Contract 2030 as a tool to achieve the mission - climate neutral and sustainable cities by 2030. During the European Viable Cities Day 2021, the work was manifested with a signing ceremony. European guests and representatives from all 23 cities and five government agencies shared how we can accelerate the climate transition together.