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.

Event during Sustainability week

Sustainable dining experiences

Sustainable excursions

Sustainable accommodations

SECOND HAND STORES

Explore Skellefteå city center by foot

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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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.
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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
Visit Skellefteås sustainability strategy

Skellefteå - A wooden town

Skellefteå is Europe's leading sustainable municipality and center for modern wooden construction. We adopted the wooden construction strategy in 2014, which is based on the goal of continuing to increase construction in wood, both as a visible and load-bearing material.

Sara Kulturhus, which was inaugurated in 2021, is one of Europe's tallest wooden buildings and has been praised for its architecture both nationally and internationally, which shows that we are a driving force in technical development, modern wooden construction and wood research.

The forest is one of our most important natural resources and increased use of wood in construction is a very important component in the effort to become carbon dioxide neutral.
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Global Destination Sustainability Index

Since 2021, Skellefteå has been included in the Global destination sustainability index (GDSI), an international sustainability ranking in which more than 70 destinations from all over the world participate. Based on the UN's global goals, the destination's strengths and weaknesses regarding sustainability are identified with the aim of helping the destination become more sustainable.
Read more about GDSI
Read more about GDSI

Together for Viable Cities

Skellefteå is part of Viable Cities, which together with other cities, municipalities, businesses, academia and civil society and authorities work to increase the pace of climate change. They work to create ecologically, economically and socially sustainable cities. Cities that work well for the people who live in them, that are good for citizens, businesses and the economy of society - and - that are good for the climate and our planet.
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The growth of the new industry

Skellefteå is the growing site for the new and sustainable industry of the future. Here are leading companies and innovations in sustainable construction, renewable energy, sustainable extraction and recycling of metals. The currents of the river, the power of the wind, the greenery of the forest and the interior of the mountain mean that nature is our main resource.
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Strength in Cleantech

Skellefteå is part of the North Sweden Cleantech project, which is a regional innovation and export platform for green technology, clean energy and sustainable solutions from Västerbotten and Örnsköldsvik.
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Skellefteå - A tap approved town

In Skellefteå, we choose tap water instead of bottled water. Tap marked is a national sustainability label introduced by Svenskt Vatten for businesses that choose tap water over bottled water. The tap labeling shows that you take a stand for a better environment and inspire others to also choose tap water.
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Northvolt

Northvolt is one of Europe's largest lithium-ion battery factories, and the goal is to build the world's greenest batteries with minimal carbon emissions. Access to renewable electricity, locally sourced metals, and battery recycling will make this possible and, in turn, contribute to the green transition.
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Västerbotten Experience

Västerbotten Experience (VX) is our joint sustainability effort for sustainable nature and cultural experiences in Västerbotten. Västerbotten Experience 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 Västerbotten Experience with its commitment to sustainable experience and local craftsmanship.

GSTC analyzes according to Västerbotten Experience provide a good basis for communicating Västerbotten and Skellefteå as sustainable destinations.
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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.
Read more about GSTC
Read more about GSTC