The Swedish approach

Sweden was an early starter in terms of sustainable thinking. As early as the 1960s, Sweden recognised that the rapid depletion of natural resources had to be confronted. It took a leading role in organising the first UN conference on the environment – held in Stockholm in 1972.

During the oil crisis of the 70s and 80s a tremendous effort was made to find new sources of energy, create new ways to insulate buildings and develop energy saving systems.

Sweden is today one of the few industrialised countries to have reduced carbon emissions combined with economic growth. Between 1990 and 2006, emissions declined almost nine percent. Over the same period, the economy grew 44 percent. This shows that it is possible to combine economic growth with an improved environment.

An important reason for the decreased carbon emissions is that oil is no longer used for heating purposes to the same extent and has largely been replaced by district heating based on biofuels. Compared with 1980, the decline is significant. That year, Sweden released 80,000 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. In 2006, the figure was slightly more than 51,500 tons.

SymbioCity
During its EU mandate period of 2007-2010, development and use of environmental technology is a priority area for the Swedish government. A major challenge is to achieve sustainable road and air transport by developing new, more environmentally friendly technologies. Research, development and demonstration of new vehicle technologies are thus an important part of the government’s initiatives in the development of environmental technologies. A key proportion of government initiatives for measures with regard to climate involve the development and use of good environmental technology.

To gather all knowledge and experience to the Swedish approach to sustainability, the concept and trademark “SymbioCity” was launched in 2008. Several hundred Swedish consultants, contractors and system suppliers are organised in different networks dedicated to spreading the vision of sustainable urbanism and making the distance to implementation as short as possible.

SymbioCity means urban technology resource efficiency – across and between different urban systems or fields of action. At the same time it emphasises renewable resources and resource management that minimise waste and optimise recovery and reuse. It encourages the development of new and better system solutions as well as the most efficient use of natural resources. The SymbioCity concept uses best-practice methods for the realisation of truly efficient and democratic work processes. In the SymbioCity view, social and economic factors are as important as the ecological and technical – the recognised final goal being health, comfort, safety and maximum quality of life for all citizens, in harmony with nature.

Getting more for less
During last year SymbioCity was presented at more than 30 international exhibitions, seminars and delegation visits around the world. It has been very well received and Tangshan in China, Toronto in Canada, Pune in India and Narbonne in France are just some of the cities that already have adopted the concept, or used it as a source of inspiration. One key to success for the SymbioCity concept is to offer a model which may be adapted to different development levels of cities and towns as well as different planning situations. Another key to success is to deliver value – getting more for less. The main focus is finding ways to increase system and work process efficiencies. For administrative and practical reasons, the functions of the city are often separated from each other. Household waste is collected for deposit in landfills. Sewage water is treated in water treatment plants. Runoff water is led into a river or lake, etc. In other words, individual problems are addressed with one urban technology solution or another – in isolation. These systems are often effective individually but there is a lot more to gain once we see the invisible links and better exploit the synergies between the systems. The result is not only saved tax money but also increased quality of life. With a holistic view of problems and solutions, all involved parties can see the big picture.

Initiatives in environmental technology
Major measures adopted by the Swedish government include:

• The Swedish government has allocated SEK4bn for climate and energy solutions, including the development of second-generation biofuels. The commercialisation and dissemination of new energy technologies is also an important part of this initiative.

• As regards international cooperation, the government is allocating funds for a special initiative for climate aid of about SEK4bn. This will contribute to sustainable development, transfer of environmental technology, and strengthen international cooperation on climate issues.

• The government in its Research and Innovation Bill for 2008 proposed that support for research and innovation increase by a total of SE5bn for the period 2009–2012. Strategic research areas in technology are to be strengthened by SEK650m and within environmental and climate research by slightly more than SEK500m.

• A number of close-to-market research and development programmes, particularly those for production solutions involving more efficient use of resources, renewable materials, transport, logistics, information and communications technologies, as well as developing the “Green Car” contribute to the development of new environmental technologies. A large part of the Swedish Energy Agency’s R&D budget of SEK800m promotes the development of environmental technology in the energy area.

• Investments in energy efficiency during the period 2008-2010 of SEK310m concern inter alia procurement of technology and market introduction of energy efficient technologies, requirements for energy certificates for buildings, climate guidance for consumers and companies, as well as the development of climate labelling for products and services.

• The appropriation for solar energy will be increased, in order to stimulate the adoption of solar heating in residential buildings. For the years 2007-2010, SEK36m will be allocated for this purpose.

Further information: www.symbiocity.org