In the framework of the EU initiative Covenant of Mayors, the City of Stockholm has presented its sustainable energy and action plan (SEAP).
The plan shows that Stockholm’s climate work is at the forefront and it lists additional measures to achieve a completely fossil fuel free city by 2050.

Stockholm was chosen Europe's first Green Capital in 2010, partly thanks to a decade long devotion to climate issues with very positive results, and the targets set for the future.

Covenant of Mayors is an agreement where the local level commits to go beyond EU’s targets in terms of reducing carbon emissions. Under this agreement, cities worldwide push the climate agenda forward at a faster pace than on the national level.

The emissions of greenhouse gases from traffic, electricity and heating were estimated to decrease by over 24 per cent between 1990 and 2009. It is the City's target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 3.0 tonnes per capita by the year 2015.

Future measures

The Stockholm Action Plan for Climate and Energy describes measures identified in the reference scenario. The plan also includes measures in progress.

The last part of the report proposes a catalogue of conceivable measures. If all the conceivable measures presented in this report were to be fully implemented, greenhouse gas emissions would decrease by a further 194,000 tonnes before 2015, or by 0.23 tonnes per resident.

Measures include Fortum making a 50 per cent conversion from coal to renewable fuels in the company's coal-fired combined heat and power plant in Värtan.  

There are very good potentials to reduce greenhouse gas emissions if all building properties in Stockholm undergo the same energy-efficiency improvements as the municipal property holdings. The same applies to the acquisition of clean vehicles, where the City of Stockholm has decided to purchase only clean vehicles. 

Achieving the target

The City of Stockholm should achieve its target by 2015, provided that we undertake continuous and ambitious efforts.

The City of Stockholm´s climate initiatives (pdf)

Stockholm action plan for climate and energy 2010–2020 (pdf)

As in many large cities, air pollution is one of the major environmental issues on the agenda in Stockholm.

Recent air quality data, gathered from monitoring sites in and outside the city, is regularly used to indicate and assess current trends. Stockholm also measures the precipitation of various substances and particles, and runs environmental monitoring programs for the entire region.

Motor traffic is still a major contributor of air pollution, even if many vehicles have become more environmental friendly over the last ten year period.

An air quality report is presented on the website below, updated on the hour.

www.slb.nu

Stockholm has aimed at increasing the amount of clean vehicles on the market and the use of renewable fuels since the mid-90's. This is done in close cooperation with manufacturers and retailers of renewable fuels and clean vehicles, as well as stakeholders with large fleets of vehicles.

Since August 2011, the Stockholm Environment Division offers other City administrations and companies to test drive electric cars. Over 80% of the test drives have resulted in a decision, by the operation or business trying it out, to purchase an electric car.

The City of Stockholm coordinates the national procurement of electric vehicles, with the aim to facilitate the market introduction and market expansion in Sweden.

Ethanol and biogas

Ethanol cars reduce CO2e emissions by at least 65% when they are driven with ethanol instead of petrol. Ethanol is produced from sugarcanes, Swedish trees and Swedish wheat.

Biogas vehicles reduce CO2e emissions by 85%. In Stockholm, biogas is mainly produced from wastewater sludge, but there are also plans to produce biogas from agricultural by-products and food waste. In cooperation with biogas producers and distributors, the City has set out to increase the market share of biogas.

Since 2008, the City has been particularly involved in the establishment of infrastructure for electric cars and testing of chargable plug-in hybrids, wich can driven on a number of different fuels.

The congestion tax is charged for certain vehicles driven in to, and out of the inner city of Stockholm, between 6:30 am and 6:30 pm Monday to Friday. The tax is intended to improve traffic flow, contribute to improvements in the urban environment and raise money for investment in the transport network in the Stockholm area.

The Stockholm congestion tax was implemented on a permanent basis on 1 August 2007. The decision was made by the Swedish Parliament, and the tax amount is decided by the Swedish Government. The design and operation of the technical system, as well as information on methods of payment, discounts, hours of operation etc, is administrated by the Swedish Transport Agency (see below link). 

The Traffic Administration monitors the impacts

The Stockholm City Traffic Administration, in co-operation with the Swedish Transport Administration, is responsible for the evaluation of the impacts of the congestion tax on traffic, public transport, traffic safety, business and the environment. A summary of the results so far is available in English below.

Contact:

Daniel Firth, Traffic Administration
daniel.firth@​tk.stockholm.se

More information

You can find more information about the congestion taxes in Stockholm at the Swedish Transport Agency.

Analysis of traffic in Stockholm - with particular focus on the effects of the congestion tax, 2005–2008 (pdf) 

About the trial implementation of a congestion tax in Stockholm (aka The Stockholm trials)

An increased market share for district heating and changes in district heating production have been the greatest contributors to greenhouse gas emission reductions in Stockholm. The city is supplied by four major production plants producing heat, electricity and district cooling.

District heating is produced by Fortum Värme, and comprises of nearly 80 per cent renewable fuel or energy from waste or residual heat. The district heating system covers nearly 80 per cent of Stockholm’s total heating needs. The district heating network is being continuously expanded to further increase the proportion of district heating in the city.

Decline in greenhouse gases

The conversion from oil heating to district heating has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 593,000 tonnes since 1990. The use of district heating with advanced pollution control and optimised processes has reduced the amount of old oil boilers. This has not only reduced CO2 emissions, but also led to reductions in emissions of substances that are health hazardous. Sulphur dioxide emissions have decreased by 95 per cent since the beginning of the 1960s.

Turning waste into energy

The larger plants produce both electricity and heat, known as co-generation. One of the combined power and heating plants is the Högdalen plant, where the city’s waste is turned into energy. Heat in wastewater is also used for the production of district heating.

The Health Protection Department is divided into three units.

1. Residential Environment

• Indoor environment issues (e.g. noise, odours)
  
• Inspection of real estate owners
  
• Administration of compost registrations and recycling sites
  
• Noise levels at public events

2. Public Environment

• Inspection of schools, pre-schools and geriatric care facilities
  
• Administration of registrations for sun tanning and hygiene facilities
  
• Inspection of swimming and paddling pools
  
• Indoor environment issues (e.g. ventilation, mould etc.)

3. Near Environment

• Issues permits for geothermal heating
  
• Administration of reports for refrigeration substances and radon
  
• Inspection of yacht clubs and personal care products
  
• Handling of pet permits, and pet diseases  
  

Contact

Environment and Health Administration
Visiting address: The Tekniska nämndhuset building, Fleminggatan 4
P.O. Box 8136
SE-104 20 Stockholm, Sweden
Phone: +46 8 508 28 800
Fax: +46 8 508 28 808
E-mail: miljoforvaltningen@stockholm.se

The Food Control Department monitors the approx. 5,500 establishments which serve and handle food in Stockholm; restaurants, fast food places and grocery stores. The Department also inspects more than 120 butchers and producers of cold meat.

The Department's inspectors offer advice and information when premises selling or serving food are built. Outdoor food sales are licensed for festivals and other events. The inspectors also investigate cases of food poisoning.

The Department's animal welfare inspectors are responsible for carrying out regular controls of facilities that keep animals. They also investigate reports of cruelty to animals.

Contact

Environment and Health Administration
Visiting address: The Tekniska nämndhuset building, Fleminggatan 4
P.O. Box 8136
SE-104 20 Stockholm, Sweden
Phone: +46 8 508 28 800
Fax: +46 8 508 28 808
E-mail: miljoforvaltningen@stockholm.se

Public transport

Several steps have been taken to make Stockholm’s transportation system more environmentally friendly, and to increase the proportion of pedestrians, cyclists and users of public transport.

The Stockholm Public Transport company (SL) is responsible for the county’s public transportation. Every day, more than 700 000 people travel with SL. During the busiet morning peak hour, 78% of journeys to the city centre take place via public transport.

The world's largest fleet of ethanol buses

Nearly 75% of SL’s traffic runs on renewable energy, and the railbound traffic runs on 100% renewable energy. SL uses about 400 ethanol buses, making it the world’s largest fleet of ethanol buses, and approximately 100 biogas buses.

SL is continuously developing new technology in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. From 2003 to 2005, fuel cell buses were tested, and electricity/ethanol hybridbuses in 2009. With the help of an increased investment in biogas buses, 50 per cent of the buses in Stockholm County will be fossil fuel-free by 2011. The goal is for all public transport in Stockholm County to be fossil fuel-free by 2025.

SL is actively working to increase the number of Stockholmers using public transport by providing information on environmental issues and increasing the frequency of services. SL is also attempting to encourage the region’s companies to increase the number of business journeys by public transport.

To read more please visit the website of Stockholm Transport, SL.

Stockholm Vatten produces and delivers drinking water of high quality to about one million people in Stockholm, Huddinge and nine neighbouring municipalities.

Stockholm Vatten also manages and treats wastewater from Stockholm, Huddinge and six neighbouring municipalities.

E-mail: stockholmvatten@stockholmvatten.se
Phone: +46 8522 120 00
Fax: +46 8522 120 02

Stockholm Vatten AB
106 36 Stockholm
Sweden 

The French consulting company BIPE has carried out a thorough analysis of water services in the European capitals: Amsterdam, Athens, Berlin, London, Madrid, Rome, Paris and Stockholm. The report is called "Analysis of Drinking Water and Wastewater Services in eight European Capitals: The Sustainable Development Perspective" (April 2006).

Instead of using traditional performance indicators for finance and technique, BIPE has developed a new system of parameters and themes within four main areas: Financial, environmental, social and ethical aspects, all related to sustainable development. 

Stockholm Water Company earned scores well above average on all aspects. The consultant stated that water services in Stockholm are the best of the measured cities, and that our performance is excellent when it comes to sustainable development.

Download the report (pdf)

The City runs a network for companies engaged in climate issues -  "The Stockholm Climate Pact". Companies from various industries inspire others by presenting specific decisions and actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The companies commit to work for the same goals as the City, e.g. a 10% reduction in energy usage between 2008 and 2010. The Climate Pact was founded in September 2007. Today nearly 100 companies are participating.

Download Stockholm Climate Pact annual report 2009 in english (pdf) 

The Stockholm Water Prize is an annual, global award for outstanding water related efforts. The prize was initiated by the City of Stockholm in cooperation with Swedish and international companies. It is run by the International Water Institute (SIWI) - a policy institute that contributes to international efforts in finding solutions to the world’s escalating water crisis.

Read more about SIWI and the Stockholm Waterprize at www.siwi.org 

The City of Stockholm runs the "Water Programme" which covers the time period 2006 – 2015, in accordance with the EU Water Framework Directive. The Water Programme specifies objectives and measures in order to reach a good quality surface water status for all the city’s lakes and watercourses. The programme also aims at developing the recreational aspects of the waters. The two major aquatic environmental problems in Stockholm are eutrophication and hazardous substances.

Download the The Stockholm Water Programme (pdf) 

In Stockholm the nearest park or avenue is never far away. The 30,000 trees lining the streets contribute towards the feeling of a green city.

The urban trees make a big difference to the city's environment and accessibility. Trees cleanse the air, elevate air humidity, provide shade and lower the temperature, making the city a more pleasant place. At the same time, care must be taken to position trees so as not to impair accessibility.

Lime trees, elms and oaks are the most common tree species. They are resilient and can withstand the environmental and ambient strains and stresses. The choice of trees for a particular place depends on its characteristics - whether it is a busy street or a quieter neighbourhood. Some trees must be avoided for the sake of people with allergy.

Handbook on planting beds

The City of Stockholm's handbook on planting beds deal with the conditions for urban trees in Stockholm. One of the specific objectives is to describe a technique for improving the growing conditions for trees. Soil skeleton structures make room for water, air and organic materials beneath the ground surface around the tree roots.

The handbook describes the principles of different operations, standard designs and methods for planting new trees and plant bed renovation for trees in Stockholm.

Planting beds in the city of Stockholm (2009.02.23)
La plantation d’arbres dans le milieu urbain de Stockholm (2010.05.31)
Planzgruben in der Stadt Stockholm (2009.02.23)

Hammarby Sjöstad

Hammarby Sjöstad is a new district in Stockholm where the City has set the bar high in terms of environmental requirements on buildings, technical installations and traffic environment.

Stockholm Water Company, Fortum and the Stockholm Waste Management Administration have jointly developed a common eco-cycle model, designed to ensure organic recycling throughout Hammarby Sjöstad. The model is known as "The Hammarby Model", and demonstrates how the various technical supply chains are integrated.

Read more at the Hammarby Sjöstads web page: www.hammarbysjostad.se/

Stockholm Royal Seaport

Stockholm Royal Seaport and Västra Liljeholmen are new city districts with environmental profiles, which entail both greenhouse gas emission reductions and an adaptation to anticipated climate changes

In the northeastern part of the city, adjacent to Frihamnen docks and the nearby residential areas and parks, the ciy is planning to create a major urban development project. Around 10,000 homes will be built and more than 30,000 workspaces created.

More about Stockholm Royal Seaport

More about Urban development

Waste management is regulated on both national and municipal levels. On the national level, the most important regulations are the Environmental Code, the Waste Act and the ordinances on producer responsibility. These are complemented by several other ordinances and laws, which regulate specific types of waste, transport, waste management, and other relevant areas.

On a municipal level, local waste management is regulated by the local bylaws on waste collection and disposal for Stockholm municipality, and waste collection fees.

Collection fees

Waste management in Stockholm is financed by a waste collection fee. The fee is outlined in the waste tariff passed by Stockholm City Council. The waste collection fee, paid by the owner of each building, covers collection and treatment of domestic waste and administration and information regarding waste management in the city.

This fee also allows households to drop off bulky, electrical and hazardous waste to the various collection and recycling points.

Waste management in Stockholm (pdf)