Uppsala – Award Winning Climate City

Reduced Climate Impact

Reduced Climate Impact 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 12 per cent per year between 2020 and 2100. If emission levels are too high in any given year, this must be compensated for through larger emission reductions in the following years.
• Net emissions must be zero by 2030. This means that greenhouse gas removals must equal or exceed the remaining emissions. Greenhouse gas removals must take place within the municipality’s geographical boundaries and do not replace emission reductions.
• The objective covers greenhouse gas emissions generated within Uppsala’s geographical area from transportation, energy, agriculture, and industrial processes.

Climate-Transitioned Municipal Organisation

Climate-Transitioned Municipal Organisation means that:

• Uppsala Municipality shall transform its operations to align with the Paris Agreement and national and European climate targets. This includes substantially reducing emissions from municipal operations by 2040. The municipality shall also develop prerequisites for greenhouse gas sequestration.
• The objective covers emissions arising directly and indirectly from the operations of municipal boards and companies – so called organisational emissions within Scope 1, 2 and 3.

Climate-Smart Consumption

Climate-Smart Consumption means that:

• Uppsala Municipality shall enable and promote the transition towards more climate-smart consumption among inhabitants, companies and organisations operating in Uppsala.
• Emissions from goods and services consumed in Uppsala shall be reduced by approximately 90 percent by 2050, compared with 2010.
• The objective covers emissions from goods and services consumed in Uppsala, regardless of whether the emissions occur locally or elsewhere in the world­ – so called consumption-based emissions attributable to Uppsala’s residents and organisations.

Read more about Uppsala's overall goals and objectives in the Environmental Programme

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

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 sixth programme period is running 2024–2027. The network consists of about 50 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).
• During the fifth period (2022–2025) the greatest reduction can be seen in Scope 1 and 2 emissions, which decreased by 22 percent. Scope 3 emissions remained unchanged over the entire period. This resulted in an overall reduction of eight percent.

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.