Växjö the greenest city in Europe

Résumé du document

In this paper we will talk about Växjö in terms of global warming and the effects of environmental responsibilities and the "green image" of companies. On the lower levels it is even better if there is cooperation between companies and municipalities, and when a municipality is involved in helping companies reduce CO2 emissions, for example by giving them some tax discounts or some money awards it could be a "win-win-situation" for both parties: the companies and the municipality. Companies and politicians from around the world are now flocking to learn from Växjö's experience.

Extraits

[...] In March 2000, the Lisbon European Council formulated the goal for the EU to become most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion” by the year 2010. Environment was not mentioned. It was added at the Stockholm European Summit (Spring 2001) as an extra consideration. The revised Lisbon strategy is based on three pillars: economic, social and environment. So far the environment has not become a supporting pillar of Lisbon. A reason for this is that environment and economy are seen as conflicting. [...]

[...] Related & Supporting Industries 4. Factor Conditions (inputs used as factors of production, such as labour, land, natural resources) Problematization and research problem Tax discount Image (for other companies and for customers) Reputation 1. More information from the companies view, why is it important for companies settling down in a green city The problematization and research problem are the fact if companies might follow the green image and settling down at Växjö as well as if the green image of Växjö is attractive for entrepreneurs to run their company in this municipality. [...]

[...] Even if Växjö already has come far, there is more to do. The goal is that the emissions per capita shall be reduced by until year 2010 and by until the year 2025, compared to 1993. The result is mainly due to the big share of biomass used for heating. In the heating sector, nearly comes from renewable energy sources. Most of the emissions come from transportation, but here is also seen a decrease of the emissions lately. This reduction is a result of a bigger share of environmental vehicles and more biofuel blended in petrol and diesel.”[1] “Moreover the municipality of Växjö implemented “ecoBUDGET” which is an environmental management system to steer and follow up the environmental targets and environmental work in the municipality. [...]

[...] However, for changes over time, only anomalies . are used, most commonly based on the area-weighted global average of the sea surface temperature anomaly and land surface air temperature anomaly." (Intergovernmental panel on climate change). There is a lot of effect because of global warming if we don't take care of this problem right now, for example: the rise of sea levels, major temperature-pattern changes, it will endanger countless animals and plant species, so the ecosystem, more hurricanes, more heat waves Position of Växjö European Union recently bestowed its inaugural award for sustainable development on this tiny city - an award many equate with the distinction of being the "greenest city in Europe." The key to their sustainable success? [...]

[...] And when a municipality is involved in helping companies to reduce CO2 emissions, for example by giving them some tax discounts or some money awards it could be a “win-win-situation” for both parties, the companies and the municipality. Companies and politicians from around the world are now flocking to learn from Växjö's experience. majority of visitors are from Japan and China,” says Johansson. “They come to see how we work with bioenergy at a local level, how we work with climate change at a local level and how we cooperate with companies and the university.” Around one delegation a week comes to the city, and the municipality has had to employ someone specifically to handle the visits. [...]