Sustainability is our focus

Skellefteå is facing a major societal transformation with the goal of approx. 90,000 inhabitants in 2030. The city, the cultural district and nature together form a diversity of environments. With changing seasons and varying climates, unique experiences are created here. There is a strong industrial tradition that is gradually developing into new sustainable industries, and there is also a Sami cultural-historical landscape.

Skellefteå is the growing place of the green transition. We think sustainably - in wood research and wooden house construction, in the production of renewable energy, in the mining industry for sustainable extraction and recycling of metals, in creative industries and in the IT sector.

Skellefteå 2030

Skellefteå - a far-sighted and equal growth municipality, attractive to live and work in with the goal of having 80,000 inhabitants by 2030. That is the municipality's vision. For Skellefteå to meet the challenges of the future, we must grow. Skellefteå 2030 is the joint development work where we have developed a strategy for how we will become more, and how we will be an attractive place to live and work. Below you will find a selection of everything that happens within the municipality. If we gather the strength of all residents, entrepreneurs, associations and other stakeholders to together lift Skellefteå, we can reach the goal of being 80,000 inhabitants by 2030.

Visit Skellefteå members in GSTC

Since 2022, Visit Skellefteå is a member of the international network for sustainable tourism; Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). The members are public and private organizations all over the world who work together for sustainable tourism from all aspects, environmentally, socially and economically.

GSTC establishes and manages, on behalf of the United Nations, global standards and criteria for sustainable tourism. Through the GSTC, a common international standard for sustainability has been obtained, where the criteria are organized into four parts: sustainable management, socio-economic effects for the local community, preservation of cultural heritage and environmental impact.

Responsible Tourism Program

Responsible Tourism Program is our joint sustainability effort for sustainable nature and cultural experiences in Västerbotten. Responsible Tourism Program is based on analyzes according to GSTC's criteria and aims to help visitors and residents make sustainable and informed choices.

About 20 companies in Skellefteå have already been analyzed according to GSTC and in 2017 Skellefteå was reviewed as a destination. Skellefteå Tourist Center is also a Responsible Tourism Program with its commitment to sustainable experience and local craftsmanship.

GSTC analyzes according to Responsible Tourism Program provide a good basis for communicating Västerbotten and Skellefteå as sustainable destinations.

Sustainability analyzed destination

In 2016, Skellefteå was reviewed as a destination according to the Global Sustainable Tourism Council's (GSTC) criteria. GSTC is a global standard for sustainable tourism based on the UN's global goals.

The analysis is a guide for our sustainability work going forward. We also conduct a sustainability audit of our members according to GTSC's criteria in order to strengthen the destination and support our members in their sustainability work. After full analysis, they receive the Västbotten Experience label – the seal for sustainable nature and cultural experiences in Västerbotten.

Visit Skellefteås sustainability strategy

Strategy for Sustainable Tourism in Västerbotten 2022–2026

The strategy for the tourism industry in Västerbotten provides a foundation for the stakeholders operating here. It outlines the framework for collaboration between public, private, and non-profit actors and formulates a shared, overarching direction.

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Explore our Sustainable Skellefteå

"The world can see that the future is in Skellefteå"

These words were uttered by the then Prime Minister when he visited Skellefteå the 18th October 2021. In Skellefteå, one of the biggest social transformations in modern times is currently taking place. This transformation takes place with a focus on sustainability. The hospitality industry is an important part of the destination's sustainability work and has an important role to show and offer experiences for visitors, investors and for immigrants. Sustainability and development go hand in hand.

Sustainable excursions

Sustainable accommodations

SECOND HAND STORES

A CLIMATE-FRIENDLY HOUSE

Sara Kulturhus is a climate-smart and carbon-neutral wooden building that is good for both the environment and the people who will live in it. The 20-storey building is largely produced locally from the forest tract. Solar cells and efficient energy use further contribute to minimizing the house's climate footprint.

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