Newsletter #10 - 48 Swedish Cities Mobilise for Global Climate Transition

What a milestone! From now on, half of Sweden's population now lives in a city that is part of the Climate Neutral Cities 2030 initiative. From the 23 cities that have mobilised within Viable Cities in recent years, we are scaling up to a total of 48 cities. These are now taking it upon themselves to take the lead in climate transition and pave the way for other cities to join, in Sweden and around the world.

Already last Friday, during European Viable Cities Day, we gathered the mayors of the cities, directors general from national government agencies and other Swedish and international key players to strengthen the mobilisation for the climate across national borders. Sweden's new EU Commissioner Jessika Roswall also took part, in the first week of her role as Commissioner.

One of the most heart-warming moments of the year was the award ceremony for Viable Cities Champion. The 2024 award celebrates the fantastic efforts that various actors have made to integrate environmental and climate perspectives in the reconstruction of Ukrainian cities and society. I am deeply grateful for Sweden's and the EU's unwavering support to Ukraine during these unimaginably difficult times of war.

It is really hopeful that so many cities in Sweden want to take the lead in the transition to meet the societal challenges that global warming entails. By working together, we can create a sustainable future with a good life for all and at the same time strengthen Sweden's competitiveness by opening up new business opportunities and innovations - all within the planetary boundaries.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Olga Kordas, programme director

48 Swedish Cities Mobilise for Global Climate Transition

During European Viable Cities Day, 6 December, the mayors from the now 48 municipalities, directors general from national government agencies and other Swedish and international key actors gathered to strengthen the mobilisation for the climate transition across national borders. One of them was Niklas Daoson, mayor of Östersund:

– A good life for everyone within planetary boundaries is not something you achieve on your own. It requires working together. Within Viable Cities, we challenge party boundaries, geographic boundaries and other barriers. We join together, despite our differences, on an important task. Perhaps our most important task so far. We get to know each other and learn from each other, which creates optimism and a drive to act that accelerates the transition. A transition that we in Östersund believe is the future and want to be a part of.

Viable Cities Champion 2024 goes to the Green Transition in Ukraine

Every year, during the European Viable Cities Day in December, Viable Cities Champions are appointed from among important partners and people of great importance for climate change in cities. This year, the award and tribute go to people who have had a great impact on the green transition in Ukraine. Despite the difficulties caused by the war, there is a mobilisation for a climate-smart reconstruction of the country.

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SPY AND APPLY

Spy and apply, “Glo och sno”, gathers good examples from cities that inspire others to replicate or in other ways use and scale up the ideas to accelerate the local transition in cities all over the world.

Follow along and spy and apply with us!

Circular Mall in Karlstad

The circular pop-up mall “Rundgång” became a reality with the help of several actors from business, the public sector and civil society. When the successful test was completed, other actors decided to continue running the circular mall under cooperative auspices, and “Rundgång” is now permanent in the city of Karlstad.

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Nature Based Solutions in Skellefteå

Outdoor classrooms, slowing of rainwater flows and a 48 percent increase in the number of species. In Klockardalsparken, a few kilometers outside Skellefteå's city centre, Skellefteå has worked with various nature-based solutions to improve health and well-being in the city.

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The World's Largest Low-temperature District Heating Network in Lund

Brunnshög in Lund is home to the world's largest low-temperature district heating network, which is heated without fossil fuels. The MAX IV laboratory has been heating the city there for several years by recovering the residual heat from the laboratory and turning it into district heating.

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Energy-efficient School Kitchens in Uppsala

By making the staff aware and with power usage visualized in real time, the kitchens themselves can set goals and influence how much power is used. The staff can also plan energy-efficient meals in various forms of slow cooking. Together with the technical solutions, the potential is great for both relieving the load on the local electricity grid and saving money.

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EU's First Zero-emission Construction Site in Östersund

Imagine a construction site that is almost silent, with no smell of exhaust fumes. The Ottfjället preschool in the Östersund is being built with electrified construction machinery. It is the first emission-free construction site in the EU.

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The Little Frog Migration in Nacka

New construction often involves the development of land in or near areas with high nature values. In Nacka, work has been done to protect frogs and other reptiles living in marshland. There are many ways to work to ensure sustainable development for biodiversity, even if the development is extensive.

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VIABLE CITIES is a strategic innovation programme focusing on the transition to climate-neutral and sustainable cities. The programme's mission is climate neutral cities 2030 with a good life for all within planetary boundaries. Viable Cities is a catalyst for new forms of cooperation between cities, industry, academia, research institutes and civil society. This is to mobilise to change the way our cities operate in line with our national, environmental, and climate goals as well as our international commitments linked to the Global Sustainability Goals – Agenda 2030 – and the Paris Agreement. Viable Cities' work is closely linked to the European mobilization around "Mission Climate Neutral and Smart Cities 2030".

The programme's timeframe is 2017-2030 and is implemented with support in a concerted effort by Vinnova, the Swedish Energy Agency and Formas, where the Swedish Energy Agency is the responsible authority. KTH is the host organization for Viable Cities.

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