The first European charging corridor for e-trucks is a reality
This is set to transform the logistics sector on the continent by fast-tracking freight along one of the busiest roads in Germany
Swedish cities share experience and best practices in the economic, social and environmental sustainability fields
The Scandinavian countries are famous for their innovative programmes and schemes as well as for their green policies. One exemplary initiative is Sharing Cities. It aims to make Sweden a pioneer in the development of a new platform for cities to share best practices in fields such as economic, social and environmental sustainability. Over the last 4 years, this national initiative by itself has earned investments of nearly €12 million. The funds come from the Swedish Innovation Agency, The Energy Agency and the Swedish Research Council for Environmental, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning.
The cities that are taking part are Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö and Umeå. The initiative develops a sharing and cooperation system on local, national and international level. To this end, participation is needed by the business, private and public stakeholders as well as academia.
The four pillars on which this initiative is based are collaborating, experimenting, investigating and learning.
Collaborating – need for cooperation in terms of ICT, people, space, services and goods and mobility.
Experimenting – through the established test-beds, the initiative will test and develop digital solutions for sharing economies and services. For example, in Stockholm, there is the ElectricCITY citizens` initiative, in Hammarby Sjoestad. It aims to reduce the local carbon footprint in line with climate change goals. There are a few sub-initiatives to raise people`s knowledge and awareness on energy and how to use it, what sources to use, the increase in e-cars use, etc.
Another interesting initiative comes from Gothenburg where Klaedoteket has developed a business to counter the so-called fast-fashion industry. It is a place where you can go and rent clothing or accessories that you may need for an evening cocktail, for example. Instead of buying a dress you will never wear again, you can rent it from this place.
Investigating – this pillar aims at looking into activities that will further deepen the sharing economies concept of the initiative through digitalization software and platforms. It also investigates international examples that can serve as a model development for future projects under this initiative in terms of business models, social behaviour and communities.
Learning – the results from the test-beds and their projects as well as from the investigations conducted are shared with all stakeholders that may have a developed interest in it. This is done through public events, media outlets and reports.
Under this initiative, every city organizes seminars and conferences to share experience, advantages and disadvantages of the used models and methods and how to further develop the idea behind this initiative. Sweden leads the way into the future of sustainable urban development and more open economies that are multilevel and can serve as an example of good governance.
This is set to transform the logistics sector on the continent by fast-tracking freight along one of the busiest roads in Germany
This move will open green and social public projects to wider investments
Citing concerns about humaneness, the legislation aims to discourage the proliferation of the so-called designer pet breeds
Plzeňský Prazdroj’s new brewery warehouse launched an automated rail system capable of storing more beer and loading it onto trucks much more efficiently
Some autonomous shuttles in France are now doing their rounds without a human supervisor inside
Europe is striving to cut the costs of operating wind turbines on water
The tree-planting method is borrowed from a Japanese scientific idea developed in the 1970s
The food people eat during the day can have an enormous impact on their habits at home
Plzeňský Prazdroj’s new brewery warehouse launched an automated rail system capable of storing more beer and loading it onto trucks much more efficiently
The food people eat during the day can have an enormous impact on their habits at home
2020 and 2021 were zero years for these types of events, but the break has not diminished its reputation
Citing concerns about humaneness, the legislation aims to discourage the proliferation of the so-called designer pet breeds
The new itineraries are part of the DiscoverEU programme, which lets 18-year-olds travel by train between important European sites
The European Commission has published its first progress report charting the achievements of the socio-cultural movement that combines beauty, inclusion and sustainability
The 2023 edition of the creative initiative promises to be bigger, bolder and more inclusive
Veni Markovski’s take on dealing with disinformation in the European Union's poorest country – Bulgaria
A conversation with the mayor of Utrecht on the occasion of her mission to COP27
A conversation with the President of the European Committee of the Regions, about energy, climate change and the underrated importance of cohesion policy