Sweden-US Green Transition Initiative

We are excited to introduce the esteemed speakers for our upcoming panel discussion at the Green Transition Summit: Urban Development – Cities Leading the Way to Carbon Neutrality. This panel will explore the implementation of climate action plans and the mission-oriented approach, featuring initiatives driving climate neutrality from both the U.S. and Sweden. Moderated by Leila Yim Surratt, Director of Strategic Partnerships at World Resources Institute, the panel will bring together leading excperts, including: Charlotte G Brynielsson, Sustainability Director at Viable Cities Maribeth DeLorenzo, Ph.D., AICP, LEED AP, Deputy Director at the Urban Sustainability Administration, DOEE, Government of the District of Columbia Richard Dooley, Director of Climate Policy at Arlington County Government Join us to gain insights into fostering a just transition, climate city contracts, the role of system demonstrators and pilots in driving change, and how city stakeholders can leverage purchasing power through aggregated procurement to support the transformation to climate-neutral, smart cities. This panel promises valuable perspectives on investments and partnerships needed to scale these efforts. 🌍 🏙️ Are you interested in attending?  ✉️ Reach out to Stina Berglund, Stina.Berglund@gti-sweden.se #PioneerthePossible #GreenTransition #ClimateNeutralCities

We are thrilled to present Ani Dasgupta, the first keynote speaker at this year's Green Transition Summit. Ani is the President and CEO of the World Resources Institute, where he works to advance the institute’s global vision to improve the lives of all people and ensure that nature can thrive. He is a widely recognized leader in all areas of sustainable cities, urban design and poverty alleviation. He took the helm at WRI after seven years as Global Director of WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, which is dedicated to shaping a future where cities work better for all people. Under his leadership, the Cities program grew to 400 staff members working in 150 cities, with a reach to more than 400 cities in total. He has established large, multi-stakeholder partnerships with city, national and corporate leaders around the world. Ani has helped create and lead innovative initiatives, including the New Urban Mobility alliance (NUMO) and the Coalition for Urban Transitions, as well as a new line of work around urban air quality. He also brought an increased focus on people and equity to the program. We look forward to Ani’s remarks at GTS!

The challenging climate of Scandinavia, with its cold and dark winters, is proving to be an unexpected advantage for the solar industry. ☀ ⚡ The region is becoming a testing ground for innovation as it transitions towards subsidy-free solar energy. Companies are developing valuable skills that can be applied globally. Scandinavian solar pioneers are drawing inspiration from the U.S., where strong commercial success has contributed to creating a robust solar industry. #GreenTransition #SolarEnergy #Innovation

A US delegation from the City of Annapolis, MD, and the State of Maryland has been visiting Sweden 🇸🇪 to examine alternative transportation methods, and climate-neutral design, including electric ferries, with a focus on their economic potential and contribution to climate goals. 🌎 The delegation has visited both Stockholm and Gothenburg including site visits and discussions with manufacturers, transportation experts, urban planners, as well as research and government leaders, providing opportunities to learn about sustainable infrastructure, resilient solutions, and environmental management programs. The Study Tour was financed entirely through private sponsorship and planned through the Anne Arundel Resilience Authority, with support from Embassy of Sweden in USA and Sweden-US Green Transition, in collaboration with partners in Sweden. Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC), Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County, Maryland Department of Commerce, Smart City Sweden, Business Region Göteborg AB, Stockholm Business Region, Stockholms stad, CITY OF GOTHENBURG 📷1: visit to Candela 2: visit Vasakronan and Skanska 3: visit to SEI — Stockholm Environment Institute 4: visit to Envac 5: visit to Gothenburg City Hall 6: visit to Lindholmen Science Park, Future Mobility, Västtrafik, Styrsöbolaget, Cstrider 7: visit to Volvo Penta #greentransition #pioneerthepossible #climategoals

Sweden has ambitious climate targets, strong climate legislation, and a carbon tax since the early 90s. Listen to Eva Hunnius Ohlin from the Embassy of Sweden in USA talking about how the Swedish industry has created roadmaps to decarbonize their industry. Photo Credit: Lieselotte van der Meijs/imagebank.sweden.se Anders Klapp/imagebank.sweden.se #greentransition #pioneerthepossible

Happy October! GTI is looking forward to hosting the 2024 Green Transition Summit this month. To celebrate the nearing conference, we will be posting introductions of our distinguished keynote speakers. First up is Billy Grayson, the Chief Initiatives Officer at the Urban Land Institute. In this role he oversees ULI’s Housing, Infrastructure, Sustainability, and Real Estate Economics and Capital Markets programs, as well as ULI’s Advisory Services Program.  Prior to serving as CIO, Billy served as the Executive Director of the ULI Randall Lewis Center for Sustainability in Real Estate where he managed a team leading programs on climate risk and resilience, health and social equity, and decarbonization and climate mitigation. ULI works with members, community leaders, coalition partners, and other key stakeholders to build awareness around sustainability issues in the built environment, and to provide our members with the tools and resources they need to cost-effectively drive sustainability into their projects and operations. At the GTS, Billy will discuss resilient and carbon neutral cities.

With Sweden and the US both ranked at the top of the Global Innovation Index 2024, there’s great potential for collaboration on innovation to accelerate the green transition. 🇸🇪🇺🇸 #GlobalInnovationIndex #Collaboration #Innovation #GreenTransition

Swedish university startup eyeing the US market? 🚀 Don’t miss the opportunity to join the next SIREUS Research Forum webinar and explore pathways for innovation and growth across borders.

As we enter the fall season, this month's newsletter focuses on the crucial theme of sustainable cities, exploring the pivotal discussions shaping our urban future. We begin with a look at the recent U.S. Presidential Debate, where climate change received little attention despite its growing significance. We then delve into the U.S. green transition and compare it with Sweden's rapid adoption of electric vehicles. Discover how groundbreaking developments in sustainable architecture are setting new benchmarks, with Swedish best practices influencing U.S. building projects. Finally, learn about a fully electric construction project in North Carolina that's setting new standards in eco-friendly infrastructure. urbs | Urban Systems Swegon Group Husqvarna Construction Atlas Copco Volvo Construction Equipment Kempower Mike Woolsey

Reflections from Climate Week. Key Takeaways: ◽ UN's "Pact for the Future" renews commitment to sustainability, peace, innovation, and multilateralism with 56 actions for a better future.  https://lnkd.in/eMh5yemB ◽ The "State of Cities Climate Finance" report emphasizes the urgent need for increased urban climate finance to support the green transition, aiming for a fivefold increase to meet 1.5°C goals. https://lnkd.in/g8xvB6hZ ◽ Need to demonstrate and scale fast to accelerate utilization of existing and new solutions During the WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities Prize for Cities Awards Celebration, we learned about the importance of cases, sharing insights and learning around solutions with examples from cities worldwide. Swedish company ClimateView partnered with ICLEI USA to provide a next-gen platform supporting 500 subnational governments in achieving their climate goals. Learn more.https://https://lnkd.in/dCCUCEN4 In The Nest Climate Campus, thought-provoking events was arranged by Ingka Group, driving an "Action Speaks" arena, including Mastercard and consumer organizations, discussing how to drive change and change of behaviors. https://lnkd.in/dGXdZMzF   At The Nest Climate Campus, solutions around food, transport, and energy were exhibited. One solution found was Minesto showing how energy can be harnessed from tidal water. The event "Climate Connect—Industry at the Forefront of Climate Action," hosted by the Consulate General of Sweden in New York with support from Business Sweden, SACCNY, Swedish Energy Agency, and Sweden-US Green Transition Initiative, featured speakers including Anthony J. Fiore (NYSERDA), Benjamin Dousa (Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade), Erik Ullenhag (Consul General of Sweden), and Kristen Edgreen Kaufman (NYC Mayor's Office of International Affairs). During the week, the The Swedish Energy Agency International International arranged an accelerator program event with SACCNY, "Building for the Future - Advancing Climate Innovation in NYC's Built Environment". Business Sweden led a pre-COP delegation to New York during Climate Week and will lead Sweden's official pavilion and non-negotiating delegation at COP. Learn more about the delegation here: https://lnkd.in/dU7eqqkb GTI and Viable Cities look forward to continuing dialogues about city transformation to climate neutrality. Let's continue to Pioneer The Possible. [Photo credit: Agaton Ström] #PioneerthePossible #ClimateWeekNYC