Eco‐cool in Stockholm – the first European green capital

The need for urban sustainable development has never been greater and to promote and reward such efforts the EU has created the European Green Capital Award. Stockholm is the first city to claim the title and will thereby be European Green Capital of 2010.

Love and respect for nature are key elements of the Swedish soul and a vital part of modern society. Outdoor life, the right of common access known as “allemansrätten,” clean drinking water and international work for the global environment are three clear, concrete examples of how the Swedes express their relationship to the environment. Swedes take pride in their enjoyment of outdoor life. The population of 9 million inhabitants – this translates into 22 inhabitants per square kilometer – has plenty of room in which to do just that. Parks, urban nature and water are obvious characteristics of Stockholm.

It is said that water and park areas make up two thirds of the Swedish capital city. For instance, Lake Mälaren virtually starts at the steps of City Hall. The amazing Baltic Sea and the archipelago, with its 30,000 islands, begin just in front of the Royal Palace. Did you know that Stockholm’s water is so clean that you can fish for salmon in it, swim in it and even drink it? Water is celebrated every August during international World Water Week and at the awards ceremony for the Stockholm Water Prize. Stockholm is a perfect place to explore urban nature and enjoy a vibrant city at the same time. Why not go totally eco while you are here. Rent a bike or a canoe, visit the first National Urban Park and stay and eat at ecological places. More ideas on activities:
http://beta.stockholmtown.com/en/To‐Do/Activities/

The first National City Park
Stockholm is home to an unbroken area of royal park land, which has been designated the world's first National City Park, known as the Ecopark. Its area, 6,671 acres, extends from Skeppsholmen to the west to the island of Fjäderholmarna to the east and as far as Sörentorp to the north. Three royal parks, Djurgården (North and South), Haga and Ulriksdal unite along the shores of Brunnsviken bay. The islands of Skeppsholmen, Kastellholmen, Beckholmen and Fjäderholmarna are also included in the Ecopark area. However, the park has more to offer than just rural areas; here you will find historic buildings and some lovely cafés along the way, among them the copper tents in Haga parken and Rosendals gardens café on Södra Djurgården. See separate feature on the National City Park


Stay in Eco‐style
A strong involvement in a sustainable society is one of the cornerstones of the Scandic Hotel chain. Theirs were the first hotels to use an environmentally-friendly system for shampoo and soap; they installed economical, low-flush toilets and low-energy light bulbs. Their most recent goal is to reduce carbon dioxide by 100 percent by 2025. All of their Swedish hotels have been selected for the Swan Eco Label, and their breakfast menu bear the KRAV label, which denotes that is has met specific organic standards. They were recently presented with “The Sustainability Award” at the European Hotel Design Fair SLEEP in London. The chain’s flagship hotel is Scandic Hotel Anglais in Stockholm.

The Swan, the official Nordic ecolabel, was introduced by the Nordic Council of Ministers. Below is a
list of the Swan Hotels and youth hostels in Stockholm County. More info in English at
www.svanen.nu .

Eco‐cool and eco‐food in Stockholm
The fashion industry has become very interested in sustainability. Several places in Stockholm sell trendy eco-clothes and eco-products, known as “fair trade.” The restaurant Babajan only has organic raw material as a base for their food, and many of the leading chefs in Stockholm take pride in the fact that they only cook with locally grown raw ingredients. Among them is Pontus Frithiof, who is now at work in his new restaurant Pontus! And the restaurant Operakällaren is the first restaurant that has been awarded with the ecological brand Svanen for their work.


Winter activities
The months of November through March are considered off-season to most people. However, if you would like to spend a lot of time outdoors, don’t miss the winter season in Stockholm. Try skating, skiing or just “being.” Inexperienced skaters will enjoy the ice skating rinks in Kungsträdgården and the groomed lakes at Hellasgården or Norrviken, for example. Experienced skaters may want to test their skills on smaller lakes, on Lake Mälaren and even in the archipelago. The ice can be thin at times, so we suggest that you join a skating tour. Stockholm has some 10 to 15 ski tracks for cross-country skiing.

The closest is located at Hellasgården, which offers trails with electric lighting, a groomed skating rink, winter swimming and a sauna. There are seven ski slopes in the Stockholm area. Hammarbybacken, the slope that is closest to Stockholm, is the perfect ski destination for a break from the hustle and bustle of city life. Daily information on the ices: www.isplanket.se

Summer activities
Stockholm is the perfect destination for a city break, as well as for hiking or experiencing a great adventure from a bicycle or kayak or in the hills surrounding Stockholm. The popular, 621-mile long Sörmlandsleden hiking trail takes you through pine forests and bogs and along flat rocks and rivers. The Upplandsleden Trail (186 miles) goes along the beaches of lush Lake Mälaren to Sigtuna, Sweden’s oldest town, while the Roslagsleden trail (75 miles) passes ancient monuments and beautiful lakes all the way to Norrtälje. Another alternative for a city break is the unique Tyresta National Park, with its eight different trails, which vary in length from 1.5 to 8 kilometres. One trail can even accommodate baby carriages.

Parts of the trails are also popular with mountain bikers. The Ecopark, Nynäsleden and Mälardalsleden trails are three great choices for longer sightseeing tours on bicycles. In the Stockholm area you will also find peaceful streams, bewitching lakes and the magnificent archipelago, with its thousands of islands suitable for paddling. Families and novice paddlers will enjoy the silent waters of Långholmskanalen. Choices abound, from wild nature along the lovely Ältaån stream (5.5 sea miles) to difficult sea paddling along the 32-sea mile long Långviksskär tour, starting from Dalarö.

Swedish eco nature‐related phenomena
Carl von Linné (Carl Linnaeus)
An interest in nature has been passed from one Swedish generation to the next from time immemorial. Beginning in the18th century, people became more aware of nature in their everyday lives. The Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus, who lived and worked in Uppsala, not far from Stockholm, contributed to this growing interest. Known as the King of Flowers, he spent his life categorizing plants and animals into families and traveled throughout the known world to talk about his work. His system, the binary nomenclature, is still used all over the world, as well as in Sweden, of course. Visit Uppsala, Linnaeus’s home and his gardens.

Adult education
Adult education is very popular in Sweden, and the range of courses offered is wide and varied. Swedes love to enrol in language, cooking and pottery classes. Making new friends is an added bonus. Traces of the Swedish adult education atmosphere can still be found in Stockholm: Arthur Hazelius created Skansen, the world’s first open-air museum, and the Nordic Museum on Djurgården to showcase Swedish and Nordic culture. Even today, they are beloved “living museums” for Stockholmers and visitors alike. Three other individuals, Ernst Thiel, Prince Eugene and Countess Wilhelmina von Hallwyl, spent their lives collecting beautiful art and fine objects. Their homes are now museums where one can catch a glimpse of their lives and admire their collections. Don’t miss these important Stockholm attractions – Thielska Gallery, Waldemarsudde and Hallwylska Palatset. KA Almgrens Silk Weaving, Northern Europe’s last silk textile factory and a fully preserved industrial site, is just one of the city’s many other unusual museums. Music is another vital part of the adult education tradition.

Sweden is one of the world’s largest music exporters; perhaps this is because at least half a million Swedes sing in a choir . Experience the joys of singing during a sing-a-long (Allsång) at Skansen. Read more about Stockholm – the first Green Capital of Europe
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/europeangreencapital/green_cities_submenu/awardwinner_2010.html
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We hope you will enjoy your stay in Stockholm!
Johanna Nilsson, Sylvie Kjellin, Birgitta Palmér and Ann‐charlotte Jönsson,
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