In Boden’s ongoing societal transformation, sustainability issues are central and crucial success factors. With the #detsmartagröna slogan as a green thread, Boden is on an exciting growth journey. To put extra focus on sustainability issues in Boden, a sustainability week is organized on 22-28 May.
Boden municipality, Bodens Energi and Boden Business Park are jointly organizing a sustainability week on 22-28 May. With a wide range of activities, it will increase engagement, knowledge and insights into sustainability and the society of the future. The aim is also to build and strengthen relationships between the green industrial initiatives and local forces in Boden and the rest of the region. Sites and facilities working on sustainability are opened and displayed to the public and companies, associations, private individuals and public administrations are invited to inspiring dialogues, lectures and activities.
The week started on May 22 with a lecture by Johan Kuylenstierna, Director General of Formas, followed by a panel discussion with Thomas Fägerman, CEO of Boden Business Park and Ida-Linn Näzelius, VP of Environment and Society H2 Green Steel. The topic was Climate Change in a Geopolitical Perspective – From Doomsday to Driving Force for Positive Societal Development.
The panel with moderator Anna Jonsson, Bodens Energi. In the foreground, an artwork symbolizing global warming and our consumption resulting in microplastics in the air and oceans. The artist is Pilar de Burgos.
“We need to bring the issue back to what it is really about. It’s not a climate crisis but social models that are at stake. Embedding climate and energy in our development issues. What kind of society do we want, asks Kuylenstierna.
He points to both challenges and opportunities in the current climate. Structures, leadership, strategic investments, policies, laws and regulations, value chains, profitability, competitiveness, research and innovation were highlighted as significant factors.
“I have been pessimistic. But I am much more positive now than five or six years ago. Today there are more positive forces, cities and regions that go out and really push this. I see it as an agenda of opportunity,” he says.
In the ensuing panel discussion, Thomas Fägerman added, among other things, that it is when those who lead the way start making demands that change begins to happen. His hope is that more people will be prepared to share the risk, document and provide quick feedback on the work that the Boden-Luleå region is doing in a situation that is unique to Sweden.
Ida-Linn Näzelius mentioned how H2 Green Steel has worked to not least clarify the possibility to meet and discuss and work proactively on all levels in what she describes as a huge teamwork.
Great program
In the coming week, there will be a rich programme of events involving companies, organizations, associations and public administrations. Examples include biodiversity in our gardens and open days in the greenhouse, where human sustainability also flourishes. A cycling challenge, multi-purpose forestry, family activities, a pop-up recycle center, a sustainable gaming event, a toy swap day, sustainable fashion, sustainable tourism development and much more will mark the week in a variety of venues.
“The Sustainability Week creates faith in the future with a variety of fun activities and events where everyone can feel involved in the green social transition that is taking place”, says Sara Olsson, Project Manager for the Sustainability Week in Boden.
Main photo: Mats Engfors, Fotographic
