Gothenburg targets green companies
The green transition is in full swing. Gothenburg companies and organisations are paving the way. Yet we need to pick up the pace. New actors and partners are needed.
We chatted with Hans Larsson, our investment advisor for green transition. His task is to attract and facilitate investments that accelerate the decarbonization of industry in the Gothenburg region.
Gothenburg is considered a role model in Europe’s green transition. What would you say are our region’s strengths?
“An important strength is that industry, universities, research institutes and public actors are all on board. They also have a long tradition of working together. This is a great asset as we are talking about changing a whole system.”
“Western Sweden is a prominent industrial region. 120,000 people are employed in our manufacturing sector, which is more than anywhere else in country.”
“At the same time, we are a hub for Swedish R&D. We have excellent possibilities for testing, and many platforms fostering collaboration, including Gothenburg Green City Zone. This is important as the challenges are so expansive and complex.”
“In addition, we have big industries, global companies and policy makers who are progressive and very clear in communicating their ambitions. This drives progress and creates opportunities. It has ripple effects throughout our business-driven ecosystem.”
Can you give a few examples?
“Volvo Cars, for example, aims to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. It’s investing heavily. The new gigafactory and investments in its Torslanda production plant are all part of this transition.”
“Our large chemicals industry is another area where big efforts and investments are being made to decarbonize products and processes. This is important as their products, including plastics and renewable fuels, are part of many value chains.”
“The property and construction sector, which is a significant contributor to Sweden’s green gas emissions, is also making big efforts to reduce their carbon footprint. Many of the progressive companies, over 100 in total, are part of the city’s platform for climate-neutral construction. This is helping accelerate the transition.”
“The Port of Gothenburg wants to be the most sustainable port in the world. Among other things, it’s aiming to lower carbon dioxide emissions by 70% by 2030. It's investing heavily in fossil-free logistics chains and sustainable energies.”
“These are just a few examples. The green transition is happening across the board. Progress is being made. We just need to quicken the pace.”
What are some of the trends you are seeing and what technologies do you think will play a key in role in the green transition of our industry?
“Electrification is well underway, and this will play a key role in the path towards carbon neutrality. Battery technology will play an important role globally. We are seeing a new industry emerging here in West Sweden, connected largely to our mobility sector.”
“Green hydrogen technologies also hold a lot of potential in the energy transition, and Gothenburg has a lot of expertise in the area. More and more things are happening here.”
“Then of course, we need to keep increasing renewable energy production, particularly as demand for electricity in the future will increase significantly.”
“Industrial symbiosis is another exciting area. It’s a form of circular economy about bringing together different actors and finding innovative ways to make use of waste products, improve resource efficiency and ultimately reduce environmental impact.”
You are involved in West Sweden’s collaborative project, which aims to facilitate green investments and expansions. Can you tell us more about this?
“The project is financed by the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth and the county administration, Region Västra Götaland. It involves the region’s investment promotion agencies. It will see us place extra focus on attracting and facilitating green investments. We now have more resources and a county-wide collaboration to support investments that can help accelerate the green transition of our region’s industry.”
“We are already doing a lot in the area today, within mobility, the battery value chain, life science, ICT, logistics and urban development. The new project funding and collaboration allows us to ramp things up even more.”
“Among other things, we will be taking part in several international events and conferences, including Inter Battery in South Korea, the World Hydrogen Summit in the Netherlands, and Expo Real in Germany. We have a lot of good things happening in our region and a lot of opportunities for innovative companies who want to set up shop here. We want the world to know about it.”
Did you know...
- Industry accounts for over 40% of the total greenhouse emissions in Gothenburg's county, Västra Götaland.
- The City of Gothenburg aims to have near-zero emissions by 2030.
- Nearly 70 per cent of electricity in Sweden is from renewable sources.
- Gothenburg was recently selected as one of ten mentor cities in a smart city initiative run by the European Commission.
- Gothenburg has been selected as one of the EUs 100 climate-neutral cities in 2030 and named the world’s most sustainable destination seven times.
- Gothenburg strongly focuses on reducing emissions as well as adopting and promoting clean transport solutions. Gothenburg Green City Zone, is an initiative where companies, academia and public actors are collaborating and testing new innovative solutions to pave the way towards an emission-free transport system.
- 99% of public transport in the county runs on renewable energy and the city’s transport system will be entirely fossil free by 2030.
Want to be part of leading Gothenburg and Europe's green transition?
Get in touch with Hans Larsson (details below) or one of our investment advisors within mobility and battery, ICT, life science, logistics and urban development.
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