The figures for 2011 are now compiled and show the per capita carbon dioxide is now 2.7 tons of carbon dioxide compared to the 1993 levels. Their goal is to reduce it to 55% by 2015 and by 100% by 2030.
I asked one of the responsible civil servants in Växjö administration how they achieved this. Her answer was that they first decided to measure all their emissions on a yearly basis and then set targets to reduce them. The targets comprised from energy to transportation. That included measuring all the use of fossil fuels at all petrol stations, the energy consumed by the local district heating unites and controlling the amount of electricity the city bought from in and outside suppliers.
The share of renewable energy use in Växjö is currently 60%.
The use of both gasoline and diesel decreased substantially between 2010 and 2011. The town is also considering mixing in a higher percentage of biodiesel in diesel, which also has major effects in reducing emissions, says Julia Ahlrot, responsible for the strategic environment in the municipality.
The municipality has set up a carbon fund to which every segment of government contributes to pending on their levels of pollution. The higher emitter, pays higher fees. The money in the fund is used to offset against flights used by civil servants and to implement green actions.
Växjö are well aware that Växjö’s carbon footprint is bigger than the statistic figures showing.
- We also collect statistics of other greenhouse gases, and we are trying us to make an estimate of the emissions from our consumption, even if it is difficult, says Henrik Johansson, environmental controller at Växjö.
Now you can see the results of our long-term strategic environmental work. Växjö has persistently worked to reduce fossil carbon dioxide emissions since the mid 90′s, and now we see the results of successful work, says delighted Anna Tenje (Conservative party) and Tony Lundstedt (Socialdemocratic party).
Municipality of Växjö in the 2000s won several international environmental awards and has been seen by the BBC and other international media as “Europe’s greenest city” for its climate and the successful work on climate change. Växjö is an eco-municipality with political unity and ambitious goals and have sign up for the European Mayors Agreement on high ambitions climate change goals.
Växjö Municipality has just over 84,000 inhabitants.
For more information contact:
Julia Ahlrot, tel. +46(0)470415 71
Henrik Johansson, tel. +46(0)470-413 30