From ideas to results. Environmental development in Västra Götaland.

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1 From ideas to results. Environmental development in Västra Götaland.

2 The three dimensions of sustainable development are mutually interdependent. Economic sustainability means securing strong long-term economic growth. Social sustainability means establishing essential human values such as participation, work, education and culture. Ecological sustainability is about respecting natural cycles and guaranteeing a healthy, positive living environment. Region Västra Götaland has been democratically elected by one and a half million residents in Västra Götaland to coordinate and promote local sustainable development initiatives. Sustainable development means working to create optimum living conditions for inhabitants, and to ensure that our children and grandchildren enjoy the same favourable conditions that we do financially, socially and ecologically. The Environmental Committee (Miljönämnden) is specifically responsible for ecological development. Västra Götaland has plenty to be proud of from an environmental standpoint. The region s strengths include research, innovation, environmental technology, environmentally committed businesses and municipal governments and enterprising citizens and politicians. Västra Götaland abounds with good ideas on how to reach environmental goals.

3 Moving towards sustainable development together. Successful collaboration in Västra Götaland Västra Götaland is one of Europe s leading regions in environmental expertise and far-sighted development of sustainable products and services. This is largely due to strong collaboration between key players through active networks and powerful projects. This creates a shared vision and helps maintain the region s spearhead position. Countless players contribute to Västra Götaland s environmental successes. You can read about some of them below. Industry Several of Västra Götaland s major companies have a clearly-defined environmental profile that they use in their marketing. These include Port of Göteborg, Stena, Schenker-BTL, Arctic Paper Munkedal and Kinnarps. Many small and mid-sized companies also have strong environmental profiles. Over 600 companies in Västra Götaland have ISO and/or EMAS certification. Many players in Västra Götaland are working to strengthen environmental performance in the industrial sector. These include Business Region Göteborg, Innovatum, Green Market Sweden, Näringsliv Fyrstad, West Sweden and Livsmedel i Väst, a network for the food industry. Every two years, Göteborg hosts Scandinavia s largest environmental technology fair and the environmental conference Ecology. There are also many highly qualified environmental consulting companies in Västra Götaland. One link between these small and mid-sized companies is the Centre for Environmental Company Development (CMF). Research Västra Götaland has several universities and colleges: Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg University, the University College of Trollhättan/Uddevalla (HTU), Borås University College, Skövde University Collegeand the Swedish University of Agricultural Science in Skara (SLU i Skara). These education institutes represent almost 40% of all Swedish environmental research. Chalmers is one of four prominent research universities in the worldwide partnership Alliance for Global Sustainability. Göteborg University runs the Graduate School Climate and Mobility (Forskarskolan klimat och mobilitet), and a high-profile area of the University College of Trollhättan/Uddevalla is sustainable processes for the manufacturing industry. Miljöbron (Environmental Bridge) establishes contacts between students and companies eager to work with environmental issues. The Centre for Environment and Sustainability, Göteborg University (GMV) is a collaborative organisation for researchers and institutions at Chalmers and Göteborg University. Västra Götaland has five national research institutes IFP SICOMP specialising in textiles, fibres, rubber, plastic and composites, the Industrial Research and Development Corporation (IVF), the Swedish Environmental Institute (IVL), the Institute of Food and Biotechnology (SIK) and the Swedish Testing and Research Institute (SP). All these institutes have strong environmental profiles and provide an important link between various sectors such as research and industry. Municipalities and other public actors Many municipalities in Västra Götaland are actively involved in the Agenda 21 programme and have clearly defined goals and action plans, both in their own business and in the public and industrial arenas. The Environmental Health Collaboration Västra Götaland (Miljösamverkan Västra Götaland) project is jointly run by Region Västra Götaland, the Västra Götaland County Administration, the four Associations of Local Authorities in Västra Götaland, and the municipal environmental offices. The project s aim is to streamline the local environmental health protection efforts by supporting supervisory activities under the Swedish Environmental Code and increasing information initiatives. Agenda 21-samverkan i Väst is a network in which municipal environmental coordinators and energy consultants support local environmental development initiatives. Flatåsskolan School in Göteborg is well known for its practical environmental work. The County Administration supervises the region s ambitious environmental goals. The Road Administration s Western Division (Vägverket Region Väst) runs an exceptional sustainability programme. Region Västra Götaland can further reduce the resource consumption and environmental impact of its own activities. We set a good example according to our internal environmental policy. We actively work to establish and develop innovations and stimulate environmentally friendly measures among the activities and staff of Västtrafik, the health care sector, etc. For instance, all our vehicles must be environmentally friendly. Our rural studies schools forestry is FSC labelled, and two of these schools have KRAV-certified organic restaurants. Voluntary organisations Västra Götaland s strong environmental involvement is also evident in the region s environmental organisations. Some examples: the Ekocentrum Foundation (Stiftelsen Ekocentrum) runs Europe s largest permanent environmental exhibition, the Handla Miljövänligt (Green Consumerism) programme of the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (Naturskyddsföreningen) is based in Göteborg, and Gröna Bilister (The Swedish Association of Green Motorists) is strong in western Sweden. The Swedish NGOSecretariat on Acid Rain (Internationella försurningssekretariatet) and ChemSec, the International Chemical Secretariat (Internationella kemikaliesekretariatet) are both run by voluntary organisations and located in Göteborg. The network Agenda 21 i Väst initiates collaborations and projects for ecologically sustainable development.

4 Region Västra Götaland makes thing happen VGR SOM KATALYSATOR Besides its environmental legislation, Sweden has various documents and strategies for environmental management at international, national, regional and local levels. Some are binding, while others are recommendations. Region Västra Götaland coordinates Västra Götaland s development efforts. The Environmental Committee supports voluntary and supportive environmental initiatives, creates meeting places for collaboration and conducts dynamic processes in ecologically sustainable development. Project grants and other funding, international environmental collaboration, environmental information and support for Region Västra Götaland s internal environmental processes are important methods in our work. Our environmental strategy has been adopted by the Regional Council. We focus on the areas of energy, transport, food and water, but also support other key development projects. The Environmental Committee prioritises projects that are innovative and span different areas not exclusively the environment and projects that generate self-sustaining structures. Projects must be regionally based and contribute to development and the dissemination of environmental knowledge. They may not be clean-up measures or legally prescribed measures. SOME SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS: Design med Omtanke (Considerate Design) Design med Omtanke, initiated by the Environmental Committee, has developed a method for creating functional, attractive public environments with long-life products. The materials and products must correspond to ethical and ecological principles, and the environments must be highly accessible. The environments are fitted out in collaboration with environmentally minded small and mid-sized companies. Grön Kemi (Green Chemistry) Grön Kemi has contributed to promoting and developing health- and environment-friendly alternatives to products including lubricants, car tyres, petrol for two-stroke engines, botttom coatings for boats, paints, car maintenance chemicals and marine chemical products. The interaction between far-sighted manufacturers and environmentally conscious users has been used to promote development. WWF Naturväktarna (Naturewatchers) The World Wildlife Fund s Naturewatchers programme receives funding from the Environmental Committee, with the aim of using Västra Götaland as a springboard to develop new educational material on sustainable development, primarily for upper secondary school students, future decision-makers and consumers. The project is developing an education programme regarding food, traffic and energy that offers teachers educationally constructive methods for making their teaching engaging and inspiring. Project participants include the Swedish Consumer Agency (Konsumentverket), the Energy Agency of West Sweden (Energiråd Väst) and Region Västra Götaland s rural studies schools. Biogas Väst (Biogas West) Biogas Väst is a unique concept for the production, distribution and use of renewable biogas for powering vehicles. The concept is based on an interaction between biogas and natural gas. Around twenty actors from municipalities, industry and organisations participate in and finance the project. They represent the whole biogas chain from vehicle manufacturers, distributors and natural gas companies to raw material producers and users. Food and environment LIVSMEDEL OCH MILJÖ Västra Götaland is one of Sweden s largest agricultural counties and the country s leading fishing region. The overall objective of our action plan for food and environment is for Region Västra Götaland to actively promote sustainable food processes that respect environmental, economic and social aspects at all stages, from production to waste. We aim to increase the proportion of organic and locally produced food on local markets and increase awareness of the food chain s environmental and health impact. We support projects that stimulate competitiveness, strengthen local production and develop knowledge and expertise among key individuals and consumers. Major projects include Näreko, for promoting organic food in schools and in our hospitals etc, and a project for the development of organic products suited for the catering industry and KRAV-certified organic fish.

5 Energy and environment Västra Götaland s greenhouse emissions are largely determined by the way we use and produce our energy. Region Västra Götaland s long-term goal is a sustainable energy system based on renewable energy. To further this aim, we support initiatives that increase energy-efficiency, for instance in homes and industry, increased use of solar energy, biofuels and wind power, greater use of waste heat, increased production of combined heat and electricity and less use of electric heating. Keynotes for our efforts are technological and system development, new behaviour patterns and interaction. As one of Sweden s largest employers, we aim to set a good example. This includes constantly rationalising energy use in our own activities. In addition, Region Västra Götaland only buys eco-labelled Green Electricity. Strong projects in this area include Soluppgång Väst (Sunrise Western Sweden), SamVäte i Väst (the HyFuture Vision) and Pelletsprojektet (the Pellet Project). Water and environment VATTEN OCH MILJÖ Västra Götaland has a long coastline and many lakes and waterways. High-quality water is essential to industries such as fishing and tourism, and for public recreation. Region Västra Götaland promotes long-term sustainability based on water as a resource. This means suppporting initiatives in industries dependent on high-quality water for their development and survival. Priority areas for measures include water-derived products and the development of general tourism, boat tourism and nature tourism close to water. Region Västra Götaland collaborates with its international contacts to combat acidifying emissions. Strong projects supported by the Environmental Committee include Forum Skagerrak and NOLIMP, which deals with the implementation of the EU Water Directive. Transport and environment TRANSPORTER OCH MILJÖ Transport plays a key role in our society. Human transport and goods transport are constantly increasing, not just in Västra Götaland. This is generating growing environmental and health problems including exhaust fumes, noise and climatic changes. The overall aim of Region Västra Götaland s action plan for transport and the environment is to restructure the transport system, making it more efficient, less energy-consuming and based to a greater extent on renewable fuels. We prioritise initiatives that promote navigation and rail travel, changes in travel habits, and the use and development of new technologies and alterative fuels. Strong projects include Västtrafik och Samhällsnyttan (Västtrafik and Societal Benefit), Biogas Väst (Biogas West), Resvanor till arbetsplatser i Mölndal (Commuter Travel to Workplaces in Mölndal) and the European Mobility Week.

6 Help promote development A prerequisite for environmental success is having the courage to think along completely new lines and venture into new territory. Västra Götaland s innovative spirit is not limited to large actors there is enormous potential here for trying out and developing all good ideas. We want to ensure that all good ideas and initiatives have the chance to grow and produce results. Individuals or organisations and other actors in the County can apply to Region Västra Götaland for funding to put their ideas into practice here in Västra Götaland. If you have an idea and would like to apply for a development grant, you can gain inspiration from previous projects and read the Environmental Committee s guidelines and application instructions at You can also contact the Environmental Secretariat (Miljösekretariatet) for further information.

7 Welcome to the Evironmental Secretariat INFORM REKLAMBYRÅ PHOTOGRAFY: LISA BRUNNSTRÖM AND JOHNER BILDBYRÅ AUTUMN 2004 The Environmental Committee supervises Region Västra Götaland s environmental development efforts. The Environmental Secretariat prepares political measures and implements various initiatives. We look forward to hearing about any ideas you might have! Region Västra Götaland Region Västra Götaland is one of two politically elected regions in Sweden. The Region was established in 1999 to strengthen democracy, improve Västra Götaland s competitiveness and rationalise resource consumption. Region Västra Götaland has two primary focus areas: health care and regional development. The Region has three committees dealing with regional development, each with its own secretariat. The Regional Development Secretariat (Regionutvecklingssekretariatet) operates at three Regional Offices: in Göteborg, Vänersborg and Mariestad. The Cultural Secretariat (Kultursekretariatet) and the Environmental Secretariat operate at the Regional Offices of Uddevalla and Borås, respectively.