Boden is one of Sweden’s selected municipalities joining forces to tackle the climate crisis. In the Climate Neutral Cities 2030 initiative, a joint effort is being made with Viable Cities and six authorities to drive the climate transition.
In Viable Cities’ Climate Neutral Cities 2030 initiative, Boden is joining forces with other cities with very high climate ambitions, both in Sweden, the EU and globally. The mission is to be climate neutral by 2030. To get there, all actors in society need to work in a common direction, and create a portfolio of initiatives and activities that pull in the same direction.
Boden has high ambitions in terms of climate work and social transition, from a variety of actors. Several of these have joined the partnership for Climate Neutral Cities 2030 with the common vision of Climate Neutral Boden 2030. There is a habit of working together on a broad front. Therefore, it is also natural that the local transition team for Climate Neutral Cities 2030 is jointly represented by the Municipality of Boden, Bodens Energi, Stegra, the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, Boden Business Park, Bodens Utveckling AB, RISE, Bodens näringsfastigheter and Bodenbo.
– Boden is at the heart of an extremely settlement-intensive region and is an important part of the green transition of society. With the pace of social development taking place here, we also have a responsibility to ensure that it happens in a sustainable way. As one of the pioneer cities of Viable Cities, we in Boden have the opportunity to further accelerate the transition through strengthened and innovative forms of collaboration and with the Climate Contract as a central tool,” says Claes Nordmark, municipal councilor.
The local coordinator is Elin Lindahl, environmental strategist at the municipality of Boden’s public works department.
– Many of us want to contribute to the transition and an important aspect of the Viable Cities approach is that the entire municipality is included, i.e. politicians, businesses, civil servants, citizens and others. This fits well with the municipality of Boden’s vision for the societal transition that is taking place. The Climate Neutral Cities 2030 initiative offers us an important platform with a strong network of actors in our local transition work,” says Elin Lindahl.
The work of Viable Cities takes place in close interaction with the EU’s Cities Mission mobilization. The program is supported by a joint initiative of the Swedish Energy Agency, Vinnova and Formas and is coordinated by KTH.
Boden, as a newcomer, will sign a letter of intent in preparation for the upcoming work on the 2030 Climate Contract. In the contract, cities and authorities concretize their commitments to accelerate the climate transition.
– It is very encouraging that so many municipalities in Sweden want to take the lead in the transition to meet the societal challenges posed by global warming. 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,” said Olga Kordas, Program Manager Viable Cities.
As a participant in Climate Neutral Cities 2030, the municipality of Boden receives 2.7 million in funding from the Swedish Energy Agency, and an additional 240 TSEK from Region Norrbotten, for extra power and to be able to speed up the local process forward, as well as access to support and expert help for the transition journey.
Photo: KOMM, Municipality of Boden
The picture shows the broad representation in the partnership of the Boden Local Transition Team in Viable Cities.
