Double up on sustainability in Stockholm

80 percent of Europe’s population lives in cities. The European Commission has declared Stockholm“European Green Capital 2010”, making it the first city to receive this honor. The aim is to promote improved urban environments and to create a better life for citizens using Stockholm as a role model.

The honor goes to cities that are environmentally driven and that show results when it comes to meeting green standards. The nominated cities across Europe were judged in several areas: climate change, public, transport, green spaces, air quality, noise, waste, water, wastewater, sustainable land use, biodiversity and environmental management. Some of the key reasons for choosing Stockholm were:

• the city has a coherent administrative system guaranteeing that environmental considerations are incorporated into budgets, operational planning, reporting and  monitoring.
• the city has cut its carbon emissions by 25 percent per inhabitant since 1990.
• the city has set a goal of freeing itself from the use of fossil fuel by 2050.

The conference “Building Sustainability, Stockholm” (19-20 October) is held in regard of Stockholm being the “European Green Capital 2010”. The overall aim of the “Building Sustainability, Stockholm” conference is to discuss how cities can achieve long-term urban development and how Stockholm’s experiences and initiatives concerning sustainable development can help. The conference is aimed primarily at politicians, officials, investors, developers and consultants involved in sustainable building.

The second conference “European Green Capital Conference 2010” (20-22 October) aims to offering an exchange of know-how on sustainability for ambitious cities aiming higher in regard of sustainable development. The conference will be presenting examples of how Stockholm and other European cities are working with the same main challenge: meeting the demands of growing cities; while maintaining sustainable economic development while decreasing the negative impact on the environment. The conference is relevant for decision makers – politicians and officers – from ambitious cities in Europe and the rest of the world.

Alongside the conference a wide range of study tours to various urban projects in Stockholm will be offered for all delegates. The winners of the “European Green Capital” 2012 and 2013 will be appointed by the European Commission.

The challenges of creating sustainable cities call for intelligent solutions and most importantly a European (and Global) cooperation. Stockholm and the EU Commision look forward to seeing ambitious partners from various cities in Europe and the rest of the world.  

Registration for “Building Sustainability, Stockholm” (19-20 October, 2010)

Registration for “European Green Capital Conference, 2010” (20-22 October, 2010)