European Green Leaf Award - Växjö 2018

Located in Kronoberg County in southern Sweden, Växjö is home to around 65 500 residents, with the greater municipality reaching a population of 86 000. Recognised as a pioneer in environmental action within Sweden, Växjö was the first city in the country to utilise biomass for district heating and among the earliest to engage with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Over two decades ago, Växjö committed to becoming fossil fuel-free, demonstrating its leadership in climate action. Now, it holds the distinction of being the first Swedish city to win the European Green Leaf title.

Växjö boasts an extensive network of protected natural areas and green spaces. The city has developed strategies to preserve these spaces while enhancing accessibility for residents through the creation of cycle paths and walkways. Additionally, Växjö promotes urban agriculture to ensure its inhabitants have access to fresh, local and organic produce, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable living.

Citizen engagement plays a key role in Växjö’s sustainable transport planning. The city has introduced numerous initiatives to improve mobility, with a strong focus on encouraging cycling and walking by developing new cycle paths and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. Public transportation has also seen significant enhancements, with the number of buses increasing by 40% and shifting to a biogas-fueled fleet, further reducing the city’s carbon footprint.

These improvements in transport not only contribute to sustainability goals but also enhance air quality and the acoustic environment. Traffic has historically been a primary source of both air and noise pollution in Växjö. To address this, the city implemented an ‘Action Plan against Traffic Noise’ for 2015-2020, which introduced measures such as the use of silent asphalt and incorporating noise-reduction requirements in public tenders. These efforts reflect Växjö’s holistic approach to creating a cleaner, quieter and more liveable urban environment.

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For more information on Växjö’s environmental initiatives and achievements, you can explore Växjö’s application and Växjö’s presentation, which highlight the city’s strategies and innovative approaches to sustainability. The EGLA Technical Assessment Report Award Cycle 2018 offers a comprehensive evaluation of Växjö’s performance across key environmental criteria. To learn more about the city’s progress and outcomes during its European Green Leaf year, the Final Report - Växjö 2018 provides detailed insights into its continued commitment to sustainability.