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To succeed in the climate transition, Viable Cities is actively working with several international and EU partners. You can find the latest EU news here.

Multi-level governance

Sustainable urban development must be included in the EU’s next research program

The EU is currently working on drafting its next Framework Program for Research and Innovation, FP10, which will run from 2028 to 2034. IQ Samhällsbyggnad and Viable Cities, together with other Swedish strategic innovation programs and stakeholders in the urban development sector, are now urging the government to advocate for a European initiative on sustainable urban development and urban transition.
The EU is currently working on designing its next framework program for research and innovation, FP10, which will run from 2028 to 2034.

Read moreSustainable urban development must be included in the EU’s next research program

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.

Read moreLund speeds up pilot tests and inclusive mobility
In the picture: Construction Recycling Festival with Hedlundaskolan.

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

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.

Read moreMobilization, partnership and social innovation central to Umeå's transition

Malmö works horizontally and internationally

Malmö says it will become climate neutral by 2030 and is one of the European Commission's selected pioneer cities to lead the transition. At the heart of Malmö's approach is a new horizontal approach - Climate Transition Malmö - focusing on joint roadmaps in seven priority areas, where strong action can have a big impact for Malmö and the planet. Local work for a global mission!

Read moreMalmö works horizontally and internationally
Swedish and Spanish cities with a joint Development Statement: Development Declaration for the Cities Mission: Upscaling the EU Cities Mission - European cities and platforms joining hands

A common voice for European cities and platforms

The fourteen Swedish and Spanish cities among 112 European Cities Mission cities have created a joint declaration for the EU Cities Mission - Development Declaration for the Cities Mission: Upscaling the EU Cities Mission - European cities and platforms joining hands. The aim is to strengthen and develop the work of the Mission, accelerate the pace of the transition and support cities in their important work towards climate neutrality by 2030.

Read moreA common voice for European cities and platforms
The delivery of the Swedish input to a joint Development Statement at the 1st Swedish Cities Mission Forum. Photography: Malin Grönborg

Spain and Sweden joining hands to scale the EU Cities Mission

The EU Cities Mission to deliver 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030 include seven Swedish cities; Gothenburg, Gävle, Helsingborg, Lund, Malmö, Stockholm and Umeå. The seven Swedish Mission Cities have formed a joint Development Statement, which solidifies the Swedish cities' support of the visions of the Spanish Mission Cities, as well as stresses the need for a common strategy on "scaling as the new normal" when working towards climate neutral and sustainable cities. The statement was presented at the 1st Swedish Cities Mission Forum in Umeå, Sweden, on May 29th 2024.

Read moreSpain and Sweden joining hands to scale the EU Cities Mission
Lars Johansson on stage during Nordic Edge Expo in Stavanger. Pictured (from left): Eline Vigre (Advisor, Mission Cities Stavanger Kommune), Pieter Faber (Head of EU Office cities Northern Netherlands), Rolf Johnsen (Head of Climate & Energy, Aarhus Municipality, Denmark), and Lars Johansson (Coordinator for Climate Neutral Cities 2030, Viable Cities). Photo: Nordic Edge

Norwegian mobilization for the climate neutral cities mission

The mobilization around the Mission on Climate Neutral Cities is a movement across Europe. This week, Viable Cities has participated in talks and workshops in connection with the Nordic Edge Expo in Stavanger and contributed with perspectives on Multilevel Governance and co-benifits in the transition, exemplified by ROI calculations on the climate transition.

Read moreNorwegian mobilization for the climate neutral cities mission
Viable Cities Civic engagement in the city

Almedalen 2023

We are organizing 2 sessions, and partnering for a day at the Sustainability Arena at Teaterskeppet. We look forward to the sessions that have broad representation from political leaders in cities, key actors from national government agencies, the European Commission and our sister program in Spain CitiES2030. Together we accelerate the transition to Climate Neutral Cities 2030!

Read moreAlmedalen 2023
Panel discussion at the Swedish Research and Innovation Office in Brussels (SWERI) (image taken from the recording of the seminar).

EU Missions - from policy to implementation

As part of Sweden's EU Presidency program, on April 12, the Swedish Research and Innovation Office in Brussels (SWERI) hosted a seminar on EU Missions, focusing on how the missions are translated from policy to implementation. Viable Cities Internationalization Strategist Albert Edman, who is also Senior Project Manager at RISE and focus area leader for Cities and Communities in Change, participated in the seminar in a panel discussion.

Read moreEU Missions - from policy to implementation

Three of the Viable Cities Climate Neutral Cities 2030 are part of the NetZeroCities Pilot Cities Program.

Among the first group of 53 cities from twenty-one countries selected to initiate climate action through the NetZeroCities Pilot Cities Programme are three of the Viable Cities Climate Neutral Cities 2030. Working individually and together, these cities will implement systemic and locally tailored innovative actions spanning multiple areas. The 53 cities have been selected from a wide range of over 100 applications.

Read moreThree of the Viable Cities Climate Neutral Cities 2030 are part of the NetZeroCities Pilot Cities Program.

EU inspired by Viable Cities

Last week, Lund was also visited by Patrick Child from the European Commission! Patrick Child is responsible for Mission Cities, an initiative where a hundred cities in Europe will become climate neutral by 2030. In the interview, Patrick says that the most interesting thing from the visit to the city is Lund's mobilization around the climate neutrality agenda, where the authority works together with citizens and companies and explores different governance models for the mission climate neutral cities 2030.

Read moreEU inspired by Viable Cities

Multi level governance in practice

Patrick Child, mission manager for climate neutral and smart cities and deputy director general of DG ENV, is visiting Sweden in the context of the Swedish presidency in the European Union. Today, Viable Cities hosted a meeting where the acceleration of the mission was discussed with participants from multiple levels; European, national, local. Prominent participants from the European Commission, Swedish government agencies, the City of Stockholm, and stakeholders from different parts of society.

Read moreMulti level governance in practice
Climate breakfast in general

Climate Breakfast 23: Seven Swedish cities in the EU Cities Mission - what does it mean?

Gävle, Gothenburg, Helsingborg, Lund, Malmö, Stockholm and Umeå. It is now clear which Swedish municipalities will now be part of the EU's mission for climate-neutral cities in 2030 - Cities Mission. A total of 100 cities across Europe have been selected. But what does this mean for the cities that joined? And how can it contribute to the climate transition in all Swedish cities?

Read moreClimate Breakfast 23: Seven Swedish cities in the EU Cities Mission - what does it mean?

Seven Swedish municipalities in the EU's major initiative for 100 climate-neutral cities by 2030

Gävle, Gothenburg, Helsingborg, Lund, Malmö, Stockholm and Umeå. These are the Swedish municipalities that are now part of the EU's mission for climate-neutral cities in 2030 - Cities Mission. A total of 100 cities have been selected out of 377 applicants. And seven of them are Swedish cities.

Read moreSeven Swedish municipalities in the EU's major initiative for 100 climate-neutral cities by 2030

European Viable Cities Day 2021

Climate City Contract 2030 is revised every year, evolving and sharpening every year to accelerate the transition to climate-neutral, sustainable cities. The first version was signed in December 2020 by nine cities, four government agencies and the Viable Cities program. On 8 December...

Read moreEuropean Viable Cities Day 2021

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.

Read moreSwedish cities and government agencies inspire climate change in Europe

Viable Cities Climate City Contract 2030 for export to the EU 

The Swedish Climate City Contract 2030 will inspire the design of the EU Climate City Contract, after Viable Cities became one of the partners in the EU's Net Zero Cities initiative.

- "Viable Cities has an important role in Net Zero Cities - connecting and sharing the lessons from the national climate contract process also in the European work," says Anders Wijkman, Vice Chairman Viable Cities.

Read moreViable Cities Climate City Contract 2030 for export to the EU 

On the blog: Coordinator gives boost to circular economy

The transition to a circular economy is an important piece of the puzzle in the work for climate-neutral and sustainable cities. Umeå municipality was the only Swedish municipality to participate in the OECD circular economy program and has signed the European Circular Cities Declaration. On the blog, Liv Öberg, project manager for the circular economy in Umeå, shares her thoughts on her work.

Read moreOn the blog: Coordinator gives boost to circular economy
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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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