City of Växjö is a member of several networks at different levels, particularly international, who operates as "associations" for municipalities. These can run common issues, for example, in dialogue with the various EU bodies and the UN climate negotiations. Climate- and environmental issues are global, cooperation is important.
International networks
Växjö is a part of the Covenant of Mayors (CoM), a commitment by signatory towns and cities to go beyond the objectives of EU energy policy in terms of reduction in CO2 emissions through enhanced energy efficiency and cleaner energy production and use. The EU-project ENGAGE support the Covenant of Mayors. Växjö's sustainable energy action plan has been approved by the secretariat and the key results of the SEAP is available in the CoM web site
Energy Cities (Energie Cité)
Since 2002, Växjö is member of Energy Cities, the European Association of local authorities inventing their energy future. Founded in 1990, Energy Cities represents more than 1000 local authorities from 30 countries. Energy Cities is a Covenant of Mayors’ “supporting structure”. Next annual meeting is held in City of Växjö in April 2013.
Energy Cities web site
ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability
An international environmental organization with more than 1 000 member cities. ICLEI represents the world's municipalities at the UN negotiations on environmental issues. They have different thematic networks such as f ex networks of procurement staff.
Website
IDA International DME Association
Stakeholders around the DME, di-methyl ether, which f ex is an excellent fuel for diesel engines. City of Växjö deems DME as the most interesting vehicle fuel in the medium term, economic, environmental and energy.
REVES
A network that brings together local and regional authorities with the actors in the social economy. The aim is to create stable partnerships and the common policy for sustainable local development in the social field and to promote social integration.
UBC Union of the Baltic Cities
An association of the Baltic Sea for more than 100 member cities. UBC is developing concrete cooperation projects with other cities around the Baltic Sea, which will promote the development and integration in the Baltic region.
National and other network
Climate Municipalities
An association in Sweden for more than 22 municipalities and a county with more than 2 000 000 inhabitants who are actively working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Members: Växjö, Malmö, Lund, Luleå, Kristianstad, Götene, Helsingborg, Hässleholm, Falköping, Kristianstad, Lidköping, Luleå, Mölndal, Olofström, Stockholm, Säffle, Södertälje, Umeå, Uppsala, Åmål, Östersund, Linköping and Lycksele. In addition, the Stockholm County Council.
Climate Municipalities are to support the participants with
- To develop local climate policies
- Concrete projects in the transport, energy and housing sector
- To be a link to the international and national work being undertaken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- To show the national authorities on the obstacles and opportunities for local climate work.
Regional network, Environmental Resource Linnaeus
An association which operates in Småland, Öland, Blekinge and Halland. A platform for environment and sustainable development, projects ekomat.nu aims to increase the consumption of organic products in the public sector.
www.miljoresurslinne.se
Internal Environment Network in City of Växjö
In City of Växjö there is an environmental network with representatives from each board and municipality owned company.