Each year, one European city is awarded the title of European Green Capital. The award goes to a city that has a consistent record of achieving high environmental standards; is committed to ongoing and ambitious goals for further environmental improvement and sustainable development; can act as a role model to inspire other cities and promote best practices among other European cities. For 2010, the award goes to Stockholm. So, what has Stockholm done to win this prize?

City development: The city is building two new eco-profile residential areas, using experience gained from eco-profiled Hammarby Waterfront. Located on former brownfields, one of the new areas – Stockholm Royal Seaport – aims at being fossile fuel free by 2030, while the entire city of Stockholm is aiming to achieve this by 2050. Stockholm Royal Seaport is to be a showcase for sustainable urban construction where innovative environmental technology and creative solutions are developed, tested and presented. This city district will be an example for other cities to follow, a world-class environmental urban district.

Biogas is produced in waste water plants, through digestion of organic waste sludge. In Hammarby eco-district, the waste water from a single household produces sufficient biogas forthe household’s gas cooker. Most biogas is, currently, used as fuel in eco-friendly cars and busses. Collection of food waste for biogas production is to increase from 4,500 tonnes to 18,000 tonnes between 2008 and 2012.

Green areas: 90% of the population live less than 300 metres from a green area. This allows for a better, local quality of life, recreation, water purification, noise reduction, and enhanced biodiversity and ecology. Stockholm has 24 official bathing beaches within the city’s boundaries, and several more are planned.

Congestion charge: A congestion charge was introduced in 2006 for cars travelling in and out of the inner city area during daytime hours. The emission reduction levels from congestion taxes was approximately 30,000 tonnes CO2 in the year 2006. Emission levels are down 10-14% and air quality has been improved by 2-10%. Traffic has been reduced by 20%.

Transportation: All inner city buses run on renewable fuels and all subways and commuter trains run on renewable electricity making them an even more environmentally sustainable means of transport. In Stockholm, the number of people cycling has increased by 75% over the past ten years. Stockholm has 760 km of cycle lanes, and more are being built.

Towards a fossil fuel free city: Stockholm has reduced CO2 emissions by 25%, compared to the 1990 levels. Stockholm has the ambitious target of becoming a fossil fuel free city by 2050. 69% of all households have access to district heating – and the share of renewable energy in district heating is nearly 70%.

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/europeangreencapital/green_cities.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEv12li9hyI&feature=player_embedded
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/europeangreencapital/green_cities_submenu/stockholm_2010_2011.html
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/europeangreencapital/docs/about/brochure/egc-brochure-stockholm_en.pdf

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