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Uppsala – Award Winning Climate City

Uppsala shows the way to a sustainable future.

Uppsala – A European Pilot City

Uppsala has been selected as a European Pilot City in the EU initiative NetZeroCities. Uppsala, together with Uppsala Vatten och Avfall, Uppsalahem and STUNS, have been granted 1,5 million euro to accelerate climate action within two projects: the implementation of a carbon budget and the activation of circular practices. The pilot city project will proceed from 2023 to 2025.

Read more about Uppsala's project Scale Up.

Read more about the Pilot Cities Programme and Net Zero Cities on their website.

Uppsala – An Award Winning Climate City

Uppsala was selected the World Climate City (2018) and Sweden’s Climate City (2020) by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) for its ambitious climate goals, overall ESG performance and strong leadership and efforts to share knowledge on best practices.

Uppsala was also declared Sweden’s Best Cycling City by the national cycling advocacy organization Cykelfrämjandet for four consecutive years between the years 2018–2021. Uppsala received this award because of its pervasive cycling paths, mandate that cycling paths have priority in snow removal, and its work to certify bicycle-friendly workplaces.

Uppsala Shows the Way to a Sustainable Future

There is a strong drive in Uppsala's work for climate action. Our vision is that "Uppsala shall lead the climate transition".

The long term climate goals

The plan for reaching our goals is outlined in the Environmental and Climate Programme. Below is a condensed version of Uppsala's goals and milestones from the programme.

Uppsala has three long term climate goals.

  • Toxin-free Environment 2050 and Sustainable Resource Flows
  • A Climate-Neutral Uppsala by 2030 for a Climate-Positive Uppsala by 2050 at the latest
  • A Climate-Adapted Uppsala

Click to read more about the long term climate goals

Toxin-free Environment 2050 and Sustainable Resource Flows

Reducing the use and exposure to hazardous chemicals is one of the greatest global and local environmental and health challenges of our time. The municipality drives progress by:

  • setting requirements linked to the objective when purchasing goods and services
  • contribute to substances hazardous to the environment and health are not used on the municipal land
  • informing those who live, work and spend time in Uppsala Municipality about the need to work together for a toxic-free environment.

A Climate-Neutral Uppsala by 2030 for a Climate-Positive Uppsala by 2050 at the latest

Climate-neutral Uppsala by 2030 means that:

  • Greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced at a pace consistent with the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to no more than 1.5°C. In Uppsala, this requires an average reduction of 10–14 per cent per year between 2020 and 2030.
  • Total greenhouse gas emissions in the municipal geographical area may not exceed 28 per cent of emissions in 20201 or 283 kilotonnes of CO2e in 2030.
  • Net emissions must be zero by 2030. This means that greenhouse gas removals (negative emissions) must equal or exceed the remaining emissions. However, negative emissions cannot replace necessary emission reductions but serve as tools for achieving climate neutrality and climate positivity.
  • The climate neutrality target includes emissions from electricity and heat consumption, transport, agriculture, industrial processes, and long-distance travel by Uppsala residents.

A Climate-Adapted Uppsala

A Climate-adapted Uppsala by 2040 means that:

  • Uppsala must be adapted to cope with 100-year rainfall events and 200-year floods in the Fyrisån River, without significant negative impacts on important societal functions and larger building clusters.
  • The municipality must be equipped to handle heatwaves without harmful consequences for life and health, particularly for vulnerable groups.
  • Risks from landslides, landslips, and erosion must be managed in vulnerable areas to prevent significant negative impacts on life, health, property, and nature.
  • The supply of drinking water must be secured with a multigenerational perspective.
  • Other climate-related risks, such as those related to drought and their effects on ecosystems, must be identified and addressed as far as possible.

In the chart below you can see that Uppsala's emissions of greenhouse gases have gone down since 1990. The chart also shows target levels according to the long-term targets.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Uppsala

In the chart below you can see that Uppsala's emissions of greenhouse gases have gone down since 1990. The chart also shows target levels according to the long-term targets.

A chart

Uppsala’s emissions have steadily decreased since 1990. The largest reductions have come from the sectors of heating and long-distance travel. The emissions from heating have continuously decreased as fossil fuels have been replaced by sustainable bio-based fuels. The remaining emissions from heating come from the combustion of waste, particularly from fossil fuel plastics found in the waste.

The emissions from long-distance travelling were greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and are estimated on a national level to have decreased by 80 per cent. Since the pandemic, emissions from travelling have increased as travelling, especially by aeroplane, returns to pre-pandemic patterns. However, the emissions from long-distance travelling are still below pre-pandemic levels.

To continue the decrease in emissions and fulfil our goal of a 10-14 per cent decrease in emissions yearly, Uppsala will implement and activate a climate budget. The purpose of the climate budget is to ensure that action is taken to decrease emissions in line with our goal. Decarbonisation of the transport sector, an increase in circular flows, especially for construction, and a phase-out and increased recycling of fossil plastics are key examples of activities needed to follow the emission decrease stated in our goal.

Ten Milestones for a Better Climate

In the Environmental and Climate Programme ten milestones are set for the Municipality’s climate action. The milestones shall act as a driving force for rapid development into a sustainable society and in the long run make it possible to reach Uppsala's long-term climate goals.

  1. Within Uppsala Municipality's geographical area, about 100 megawatts of solar energy will be installed by 2030. Uppsala Municipality will ensure that municipally owned properties have solar energy systems by 2027, where possible.
  2. Emissions from transport and machinery in Uppsala will be reduced by decreasing the need for transport and transitioning to fossil-free fuels. The municipality's vehicle fleet and procured transport services must be fossil fuel-free. The municipality's own and procured machinery will also be fossil fuel-free by 2027. By 2030, electric, hydrogen, and biogas-powered vehicles and machinery will constitute: At least 75% of the municipality's own and procured light vehicles. At least 50% of the municipality's own and procured heavy vehicles and machinery.
  3. Every year, Uppsala Municipality must reduce its direct energy consumption through energy efficiency measures in properties and businesses to ensure climate neutrality by 2030.
  4. Uppsala Municipality will reduce the presence of substances hazardous to the environment and human health in procured and purchased goods, services, and contracts.
  5. Food purchased and served by operations funded by Uppsala Municipality must be sustainable from a holistic perspective, with a primary focus on organic production, climate impact, local sourcing, animal welfare, and food waste reduction. By 2030, at least 75 per cent of the food must be organic, and its climate impact must not exceed 1.25 kilograms of CO₂e per kilogram of food purchased.
  6. By 2030, all new plastic-containing products purchased by Uppsala Municipality must be made exclusively from recycled or renewable plastic.
  7. Each year, Uppsala Municipality must reduce greenhouse gas emissions from completed building and construction projects to ensure climate-neutral building and construction by 2030.
  8. Uppsala Municipality will free up capacity in the electricity grid through power efficiency and flexible electricity use.
  9. By 2030, flood risks associated with torrential rain and high-water flows will be addressed in areas where they have the greatest impact on critical societal functions and larger building clusters.
  10. In larger urban areas of Uppsala Municipality, the average canopy coverage will reach 30 per cent by 2034. The increase will primarily target areas prone to heat islands and those with low canopy cover, especially where children, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups frequently spend time.

Read more about Uppsala's overall goals and milestones in the Environmental och Climate Programme.

Read more about Uppsala's approach towards sustainable development in our Policy for Sustainable Development.

Energy Programme 2050

The transition to a new energy system is a crucial part in reaching our climate goals. Therefore have Uppsala Municipality developed an energy program in 2018 to show how the municipality and other stakeholders together can achieve an environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable energy system.

The programme is based on Uppsala Municipality's targets for resource efficiency, health, environment and climate, countryside and city development, more jobs and environmentally friendly business development, civil preparedness, and the strengthening of ecosystems. The energy programme is a cornerstone in making Uppsala fossil fuel free and renewable by 2030 and climate positive by 2050 at the latest.

Read about Uppsala's energy transformation to 2050 in the Energy Programme.

Projects and Investments

Uppsala is growing rapidly. It is a challenge to grow and simultaneously reduce emissions and climate impact. However, building new areas also provides opportunities to create better conditions and solve sustainability challenges. We have listed some examples of our climate actions below.

Click to read about our projects

Uppsala Climate Protocol

Uppsala Climate Protocol is a local network initiated by the Municipality in which companies, associations, universities and public organizations work together and inspire each other and others to secure Uppsala's long-term energy and climate goals. The fifth programme period is running 2022-2025. The network consists of about 40 members.

In early 2010, Uppsala Municipality invited local actors from both the public and private sector to sign a "local Kyoto Protocol" which became Uppsala Climate Protocol. In the first programme period (2010-2012) 17 organizations signed the protocol. Today the protocol is an established and effective arena for climate action and cooperation in Uppsala, and the main gathering for developing ideas how to reach the city's long-term energy and climate goals. Each member sets energy and climate goals (in sectors buildings, transports, production and other) to reach a common goal for the programme period.

  • During the first period (2010-2012), the common goal was to decrease the members' greenhouse gas emissions by 3.7 %. The outcome was a decrease of about 4 %, while total turnover increased.
  • During the subsequent programme period (2012-2015), the goal was to reduce our collective emissions by about 4.5 %. The result was a decrease of fully 11 %.
  • For the third period, 2015-2018, the goal was to reduce emissions in total by 4,7 % in 2016-17. The results showed a twice as high reduction of 10 %.
  • During the fourth period (2018-2021), the networks emission decreased by 26 % compared to the goal of a decrease of 14% (a goal based on the carbon budget of the Paris Agreement).

For the current, and fifth, period the network’s goal is to continue a decrease in emission to stay within the carbon budget of the Paris Agreement with an average decrease of 14 % per year.

The continuously positive results in emission reductions from Uppsala Climate Protocol have showed that it is an effective collaboration for climate action.

Innovative New Neighbourhoods

Uppsala municipality wants to set a new standard for sustainable travel which will play an important part if the Municipality's long-term climate and environmental goals are to be reached.

Ulleråker

Several major areas in Uppsala are under development to meet the expected population growth. For the new residential area, Ulleråker, a mobility action plan has been developed. Ulleråker will thus act as a forerunner and set a standard for how systematic mobility work should be carried out within Uppsala.

The plan describes organization and working methods in the planning process to ensure systematic work with sustainable mobility throughout all the stages. It also explains how to monitor and evaluate goals and work processes. The plan will contribute to achieving Uppsala's ambitious goals, which, among other things, indicate that at least 80 % of the inhabitant's trips will come about by walking, cycling, or public transport.

Material choices in new buildings are made in regard to climate impact and the reduction of negative environmental effects. A life-cycle perspective characterizes both the construction of houses and the design of public spaces. The starting point is choosing robust material of high quality and long life span. This reduces future operating costs and renovation needs.

Rosendal

In another new area, Rosendal, parks and green spaces are designed to provide ecosystem services: features that benefit humans and preserve and improve living conditions and well-being for plants and animals as well. Air to breathe, food, pollination, and other values that provide quality of life and health.

The water in Rosendal is taken care of locally. This means that the water is delayed and cleaned in the area's natural waters, ponds, plants, rain beds, and temporary flood zones. Water is supplied to trees, plant beds and raised in open waterways to add natural beauty. The plan beds are enriched with bio-char, making them a carbon sink – a climate positive action.

Biking Before Driving

The Municipality of Uppsala has been focusing on cycling issues for several years. A few years ago, a major analysis was conducted with focus group interviews with politicians, students, bicycle companies, bicycle dealers, major employers, etc. Also, a wide-ranging survey of residents was conducted. The result clearly showed that two areas were prioritized, namely information and communication on traffic rules and the extension of Uppsala’s cycle infrastructure. In line with this, widespread efforts are ongoing, for example construction of more separate cycle paths/lanes and improvements in previously built cycling infrastructure.

Promotion and information on bicycling has made it easier to choose the bicycle as a first-hand transportation mode. This includes for example bicycling courses for both adults and children, traffic information, maps, safer bike paths to schools, and more.

Winter Cyclists

An obstacle for many inhabitants whom usually enjoys biking is the Swedish winter. Biking in northern Europe is not always easy and comfortable in the winter due to the snow, icy roads, and cold weather. There are however things one can do to make it safer and easier. To further encourage those who previously felt the need to use motorized transportation during the cold months the municipality started the project "Winter Cyclists". The project aims to both help individual bikers and making sure that biking lanes are safe and free from snow. Bike lanes are now the number one priority when removing snow and sanding. The bikers are also given equipment like studded tires and warm saddle covers to make it safer and more comfortable.

Uppsala Produces its Own Biogas

Since the end of the 1990s Uppsala has had its own production of biogas made from organic waste from households, restaurants, and industries. Through the years, the operation has grown from producing about 100 000 Nm3 biogas a year to today's production of about 6 700 000 Nm3 a year. It is one of the world's leading facilities for producing biogas from organic waste and sewage. Apart from being a great energy alternative biogas makes an effective use of our waste in a circular economy.

The biogas plays an important part in Uppsala's path to a fossil fuel free community. The gas is also a better alternative to conventional fuels regarding air quality and pollution. It is therefore mainly used to fuel public buses in the city area. But is also sold to private car owners and taxi companies.

More projects and climate initiatives

Below is a link to our Swedish webpage with more examples.

Read more about Uppsala's environmental and climate work.