Stockholm : Developing a citizen engagement laboratory for a local climate goal and the sharing economy

Abstract

The uniqueness of the Stockholm test-bed is based on its close collaboration with a citizen initiative called Hammarby Sjostad 2.0 around the mission to create a climate-neutral city district by 2027. The founder of Hammarby Sjostad 2.0 is ElectriCITY, a (civic society NGO and) membership association which operates a number of energy initiatives in the area since 2012, primarily by targeting the need for knowledge-sharing between housing association boards. Over 30 housing associations are currently engaged in projects relating to optimized energy systems; joint procurement; a shared solar-cell park; and real estate hub for sharing data and preparations to form positive energy districts are ongoing. Since its start in 2017, Sharing City Stockholm has fuelled Hammarby Sjostad 2.0 as a ‘citizen engagement lab’ by more directly involving households in reaching the climate goal. A workshop series ‘Klimatspanarna’ has been launched, with topics of interest to families with small children; and various projects are ongoing to promote sharing among neighbours, as an alternative to consumption, by experimenting with neighbourhood platforms and working with focus groups in selected residential blocks.