As is the case in many large cities, pollution to the air is one of the major environmental issues in Stockholm.

Recent air quality data, gathered from monitoring sites within and outside of the inner city, is used to indicate and assess trends. Stockholm also measures the precipitation of various substances and particles, and runs environmental monitoring systems for the entire region.

Roadway traffic is a major contributor of pollution to the air, even though the vehicles have gotten cleaner over the last ten year period.

An air quality report is presented on the website below, updated on the hour.

www.slb.nu

Since the mid-1990s, the City has been working to increase the proportion of clean vehicles in the market and the use of renewable fuels in vehicles. This occurs in close cooperation with manufacturers and retailers of renewable fuels and clean vehicles and with stakeholders who have large fleets of vehicles.

Overall, the approximately 70,000 clean vehicles in Stockholm County at year-end 2008 had the annual potential to reduce emissions by more than 140,000 tonnes of CO2e if they were 100 per cent driven on renewable fuel. All petrol sold in Stockholm contains 5 per cent ethanol. In 2008 low-blend fuels comprised half of the county’s use of renewable fuels.

Ethanol cars reduce CO2e emissions by at least 65 per cent when they are driven using only ethanol instead of petrol. Ethanol is produced using sugarcane, Swedish trees and Swedish wheat.

Biogas vehicles reduce CO2e emissions by 85 per cent. In Stockholm, biogas is mainly produced from wastewater sludge, but there are also plans to produce biogas from agricultural by-products and food waste. In cooperation with biogas producers and distributors, the City is working to increase the market share for biogas.

Since 2008, the City has been particularly involved in the establishment of infrastructure for electric cars and testing of plug-in hybrids that can be both charged and driven on various fuels.

The City of Stockholm has undertaken several ambitious initiatives and driven developments to reduce climate impact. The City’s long-term goal is to continue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the same rate as in the past. This will allow Stockholm to become fossil fuel-free by 2050.

On the way to this unique goal, the City has implemented two action programmes against greenhouse gases. The target for the first programme (1995-2000) was to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from electricity, heating and transports to 1990 levels, i.e. 5.4 tonnes of carbon-dioxide equivalents (CO2e) per Stockholmer and year. The target was surpassed; by the end of 2000, emissions were approximately 4.5 tonnes CO2e per resident and year.

The target for the second action programme (2000-2005) was also achieved; emissions declined to four tonnes CO2e per Stockholmer and year. Taking into account the city’s population increase during this period, annual emissions per resident declined from 5.4 tonnes CO2e to 4 tonnes CO2e, a decrease of slightly more than 25 per cent.

As part of the journey toward a fossil fuel-free Stockholm in 2050, an ambitious new emissions target was established in the City budget for 2009. Emissions are to be reduced to 3 tonnes CO2e per resident by 2015, which will entail a 44 per cent reduction from 1990 levels.

A success factor for Stockholm’s climate efforts is the City’s systematic establishment process in advance of political decisions. Emissions are mapped out and emission targets proposed based on analyses of which actions are cost-effective and can be carried out in the coming years.

Following strategic efforts involving analyses and inventories, the City’s climate efforts have been aimed at energy-efficiency enhancements in social housing units built during the 1960s, the expansion of cycle paths, and an increase in the number of clean vehicles, including private cars and buses. The action that has been most significant is the increased proportion of biofuel in district heating production, combined with the expansion of the district heating network.

The City of Stockholm has carried out several communications projects pertaining to the climate. The goal is to increase awareness of what people and companies can do themselves to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and total energy consumption.

From 2008-2010, several campaigns will inform those who live and work in Stockholm about what the City does to reduce emissions, the City’s goal of being fossil fuel-free by 2050, and alternatives for reducing their own emissions. The campaign themes are housing, the workplace, travel and shopping.

To deal with congestion and traffic disturbances, a congestion tax was implemented in Stockholm in 2007. Since then, traffic to and from the city centre has declined by an average of approximately 20 per cent, and queuing times in and around the city centre have decreased by 30 to 50 per cent.

Before the congestion tax was introduced, many people opposed it. Accordingly, a trial of the congestion tax was carried out in 2006. The trial resulted in an increase in popular support for the tax because the number of cars in the city centre decreased and because the system worked well. The outcome was that the majority of Stockholmers now have a positive view of the congestion tax.

You can find more information about the congestion taxes in Stockholm at the Swedish Transport Agency.

An increased market share for district heating and changes in district heating production have been the greatest contributors to greenhouse gas emission reductions in Stockholm. The city is supplied by four major production plants. In addition to heat, electricity and district cooling are produced.

Today, district heating is produced by Fortum Värme, and comprises nearly 80 per cent renewable fuel or energy from waste or residual heat. The district heating system covers nearly 80 per cent of Stockholm’s total heating needs. The district heating network is being continuously expanded to further increase the proportion of district heating in the city.

The conversion from oil heating to district heating has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 593,000 tonnes since 1990. The use of district heating with advanced pollution control and optimised processes has reduced small, old oil boilers. This has not only reduced CO2 emissions, but has also led to reductions in emissions of substances that are hazardous to health. Sulphur dioxide emissions have decreased by 95 per cent since the beginning of the 1960s.

The larger plants produce both electricity and heat, known as co-generation. One of the combined power and heating plants is the Högdalen plant, where the city’s waste is used for energy production. Heat in wastewater is also used for the production of district heating.

The Health Protection Department is divided into three units.

• Indoor Environment

The unit mainly handles residential complaints ranging from noise nuisances to problems caused by dampness or bad ventilation and similar indoor environment issues. 

• Public Health

The unit works to safeguard public health at public premises, both through inspections at public hygiene facilities as well as working with issues related to allergies, radon and smoking. 

• Clean Air, Ground and Water
  

The unit conducts inspections on and issues permits for residential waste disposal and sewers, home heating oil tanks, heat pumps, refrigerants in cold storage rooms, pest control, manure storage facilities as well as checks the City’s bathing water.  

Food Control

The Food Control Department monitors the approx. 5,500 establishments that serve and handle food in Stockholm - all the City's restaurants, fast food stands and food stores. The Department also inspects over 120 butchers and producers of cold meat.

The Department's inspectors provide advice and information when food premises are being built. Outdoor food sales are licensed for festivals and other events. The inspectors also investigate cases of food poisoning.

The Department's animal welfare inspectors are responsible for checking up on facilities where animals are kept. They also investigate reports of cruelty to animals.

Contact

Environment and Health Administration
Visiting address: The Tekniska nämndhuset building, Fleminggatan 4
P.O. Box 8136
SE-104 20 Stockholm, Sweden
Phone: +46 8 508 28 800
Fax: +46 8 508 28 808
E-mail: registrator@miljo.stockholm.se

Public transport

Several steps have been taken to make Stockholm’s transportation system more environmentally friendly and to increase the proportion of pedestrians, cyclists and users of public transport.

Stockholm Public Transport (SL) is responsible for the county’s public transport. Every day, more than 700 000 people travel with SL. During the most intensive period of the morning rush hour, 78 per cent of journeys to the city centre take place with public transport.

Nearly 75 per cent of SL’s traffic runs on renewable energy, the railbound traffic runs on 100 per cent renewable energy. SL has about 400 ethanol buses, the world’s largest fleet of ethanol buses, and approximately 100 biogas buses. SL is constantly testing new technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. From 2003 to 2005, fuel cell buses were tested, and in 2009, electricity/ethanol hybridbuses will be tested. Through an increased investment in biogas buses, 50 per cent of the buses in Stockholm County will be fossil fuel-free by 2011. The goal is for all public transport in Stockholm County to be fossil fuel-free by 2025.

SL is actively working to increase the number of Stockholmers using public transport, through such strategies as providing environmental information and increasing the frequency of services. SL is also attempting to encourage the region’s companies to increase the number of business journeys made using public transport.

To read more please visit the website of Stockholm Transport, SL.

Stockholm Water Co produce and deliver drinking water of high quality to about one million people in Stockholm, Huddinge and nine neighbouring municipalities.

Stockholm Water also manage and treat wastewater from Stockholm, Huddinge and six neighbouring municipalities.

E-mail: stockholmvatten@stockholmvatten.se
Phone: +46 8522 120 00
Fax: +46 8522 120 02

Stockholm Vatten AB
106 36 Stockholm
Sweden 

The French consulting company BIPE has carried out a thorough analysis of water services in the European capitals: Amsterdam, Athens, Berlin, London, Madrid, Rome, Paris and Stockholm. The report is called "Analysis of Drinking Water and Wastewater Services in eight European Capitals: The Sustainable Development Perspective" (April 2006).

Instead of using traditional performance indicators for finance and technique, the consultant developed a new system of parameters and themes within four main areas: Financial, environmental, social and ethical aspects, all related to sustainable development. 

Stockholm Water Company earned scores well above average on all issues. The consultant stated that the water services in Stockholm are the best of the measured cities, and that we post a very high performance on the sustainable development front.

Download the report (pdf)

The City runs a network for companies engaged in climate issues, the Stockholm Climate Pact. Companies from various industries inspire others by presenting specific decisions and actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The companies commit to work for the same goals as the City, for instance a 10 per cent reduction of energy usage between 2008 and 2010. The Climate Pact started in September 2007 and now have nearly 100 companies had signed it.

Download Stockholm Climate Pact annual report 2009 in english (pdf) 

The Stockholm Water Prize is an annual, global award for outstanding water related activities. The prize was initiated by the City of Stockholm in cooperation with interational and Swedish companies. It is handled by the International Water Institute (SIWI), which is a policy institute that contributes to international efforts to find solutions to the world’s escalating water crisis.

Read more about SIWI and the Stockholm Waterprize at www.siwi.org 

Hammarby Sjöstad

Hammarby Sjöstad is a new district in Stockholm where the City has imposed tough environmental requirements on buildings, technical installations and the traffic environment, from day one.

Stockholm Water Company, Fortum and the Stockholm Waste Management Administration have jointly developed a common eco-cycle model designed to ensure organic recycling throughout Hammarby Sjöstad – known as "The Hammarby Model". This model is the thread that binds together the entire environmental programme and demonstrates how the various technical supply systems are integrated.

Read more at Hammarby Sjöstads web page: www.hammarbysjostad.se/

Stockholm Royal Seaport

Stockholm Royal Seaport and Västra Liljeholmen are new city districts with environmental profiles that entail both greenhouse gas emission reductions and an adaptation to the anticipated climate changes

In the northeastern part of the city, adjacent to Frihamnen docks and the nearby residential areas and natural spaces, a major urban development project is planned. In all, around 10,000 homes are to be built and 30,000 workspaces created.

More about Stockholm Royal Seaport

More about Urban development

Waste management is regulated at both national and municipal levels. At national level, the most important regulations are the Environmental Code, the Waste Act and the ordinances on producer responsibility. These are complemented by several other ordinances and laws, which regulate specific types of waste, transport, waste treatment, and other relevant areas. At a municipal level, local waste management is regulated by the local bylaws on waste collection and disposal for Stockholm municipality, and waste collection fees.

Waste management in Stockholm is financed by a waste collection fee. The fee is outlined in the waste tariff, which is passed by Stockholm City Council. The waste collection fee paid by the owner of each building covers collection and treatment of domestic waste and administration and information regarding waste management in the city. Payment of this fee also allows households to take bulky waste, electrical and electronic waste and hazardous waste to the various collection systems: recycling centres and permanent and mobile hazardous waste collection points.

For more information please contact our customer service department by email to kundservice-avfall@tk.stockholm.se or by phone to +46 (0)8-508-465 40.

Waste management in Stockholm (pdf)