The Uppsala Climate Protocol – A local climate agreement between the private and public sectors

In 2010, the City of Uppsala invited local actors operating in different sectors of society and in different industries to jointly take on the climate challenge. Today, the Uppsala Climate Protocol has grown to become an effective instrument in the work of achieving Uppsala's long-term climate goals. The network has about forty members, consisting of companies, public agencies, universities and associations.

The Uppsala Climate Protocol was inspired by the UN's work on its climate convention and today acts as a local Paris Agreement. The ambition for the Uppsala Climate Protocol is to take the lead in climate work and to be a model for other cities.

Results

The Climate Protocol has since its start continuously reduced joint emissions of greenhouse gases. During the last programme period (2018-2021) the target was to reduce emissions by 10-14 percent annually, to be in alignment with the goals of the Paris Agreement. The results showed a reduction in emissions of 26 percent when comparing the year 2017 to 2020.

Operations

The Climate Protocol's organisation and structure comprise several different working groups that work with organisation, guidance, process management and coordination.

The practical work of the Climate Protocol is concretised in different focus groups that are formed on the basis of the interests and needs of the members. Currently, there are four focus groups in different areas: selection of building materials, energy, reduction of plastics and sustainable freight transport. The network's focus groups play an important role in collaboration, inspiration and the exchange of knowledge and experience.

Environmental and management representatives from each member meet twice a year for discussions and decision making at Round Table meetings. Climate managers from each member meet four times a year for coordination, development and practical work. The City of Uppsala provides process management to guide and support cooperation in the Climate Protocol. There is also a Coordination Group, consisting of eight members, who support the process management.

Projects

Members of the Climate Protocol have initiated several joint projects, which have resulted in innovative solutions for reducing emissions. An example is the "Spjutspetsar Mobility Management" (Cutting-Edge Mobility Management) project, in which the participating organisations worked together to encourage more people to choose to travel by public transport, bicycle or walking, instead of by car. The final results showed a reduction in emissions by 350 tonnes.

Another example is the project "Klimateffektiv plastupphandling" (Climate-efficient plastic procurement), in which the participating organisations worked together to minimise the use of plastic, to increase the recycling of plastic packaging and to increase the demand for recycled and renewable products. The focus was on changing the procurement criteria in order to encourage suppliers to increase their range of recycled and renewable plastics.

One last example is the project "KlimatGott" (Climate Tasty), which aimed to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases from food that is served at large restaurants in Uppsala. By climate labelling menus and presenting the climate impact of different items on the menu, the project made it easier for consumers to make active choices.

The Uppsala Climate Protocol began its fifth period during 2021.

Would you like to know more about the Uppsala Climate Protocol? Please contact us at: klimatprotokoll@uppsala.se