Various networks for climate change work already exist, the two most influential are The Swedish Eco-Municipalities Sveriges Ekokommuner (SEKOM) and The Swedish Network of Municipalities on Climate Change Klimatkommunerna (KK), whose purpose is to increase municipal-level interest in and recognition of environmental- and climate change issues through the exchange of knowledge and experience. Currently, however, only about one third of Sweden's municipalities are members of, or participate in other ways in, these networks.
Sweden's municipalities engage in a whole range of approaches to dealing with climate change. Some municipalities see climate change issues permeate their overall work while others do no more than the law obliges them to. A large number of municipalities claim that they have environmental goals, specific climate work plans and programmes on climate change currently either 'in the pipeline' or coming up for decision.
The most active municipalities tend to be located near water. This is the only easily identifiable geographical pattern discernable from the data collected.
Among the most common concrete measures on climate change mentioned are eco-cars, district heating, establishing energy plans, courses in eco-driving among municipal employees and energy consultation for firms and private people.
Other measures mentioned include different types of KLIMP- and LIP-projects, where experienced KK consultants help smaller municipalities to become more involved with climate change issues and begin to plan their general work in a climate-conscious manner. Many are also talking about private corporate initiatives within the municipality, mostly in the sense of projects within the biogas- and ethanol manufacturing sector. Al Gore's film "An Inconvenient Truth" has, in addition, often been heralded as being part of a broader information campaign in this respect.
One further and very interesting observation in relation to the data collected is that membership of the KK or SEKOM networks does not in itself however guarantee that a municipality will be on the 'cutting edge' in respect of their approach to climate change work.
Another interesting finding here is the existence of a paradox when it comes to small municipalities and their climate change work. Some smaller municipalities claim that they are simply unable to play an active and concrete role in respect of climate change related issues because they are too small and thus lack the necessary resources. While others say that it is the very fact that they are small that gives them the opportunity to carry out such work as they are not hindered by an overbearing level of bureaucracy.
The survey has shown that a specific pattern is evident among suburban and commuting municipalities mostly in the Stockholm and Malmö areas. Such municipalities often display a lower level of engagement in respect of climate change issues than the average municipality. In-transit traffic, or through-traffic, an issue for which such municipalities claim not to have the resources to affect, is usually highlighted here as the major cause of their poor performance.
A further issue among the most inactive municipalities relates to the perceived 'lack of political will' to address climate change issues. In relation to the interviews conducted in the context of this project the need for clearer goals was often expressed. The national environmental quality objectives are criticized by some for being too abstract and not specifically applicable to their municipality. "Mest skrik och ganska lite," ("Lots of shouting and not much else") is one comment often received in relation to the national environmental goals.
The tendencies and trends identified here correspond to the notion that the explanatory factors are to be found in social processes at the local level. The importance of further study within the field is underscored by the fact that the effects caused by climate change place higher demands on society to adapt.
The big challenge is then to get municipalities to act now.
This survey differs from similar research previously undertaken since we have adopted a qualitative approach on an otherwise typically quantitatively researched topic. Prior research has also tended to focus on a smaller population than was the case here.
The results of the survey perhaps unsurprisingly did not provide an entirely positive picture of the level of activeness among the municipalities in their work on climate change but did clearly show the challenges they are confronted with. The purpose of the survey has not primarily been to focus on the causes behind the various municipal responses to climate change work though we have undoubtedly gained a general picture of the possible factors behind any explanation.
By Fredrik Ernborg, Johan Nilsson and Per Francke, all students of Human Geography at Stockholm University.