Malmö’s bold road to climate neutrality: A model for systemic change

Malmö, a Swedish city renowned for its ambition and innovation, is racing towards climate neutrality with unwavering commitment. The city’s success stems from a systemic approach that embraces collaboration with various stakeholders, shaping innovative policies and fostering holistic thinking to drive sustainability forward. This article explores the key elements behind Malmö’s sustainability journey based on an interview with Henrik Engblad from the City of Malmö.

At the heart of the city transformation lies Climate Transition Malmö, a process structured around seven key areas: heating, electricity supply, circular economy, climate-neutral construction, climate-smart consumption, mobility, and net-zero organisation. Each transition area has its own roadmap that shows the direction and help to mobilise more actors from businesses, civil society, communities and citizens in the shift through concrete measures. The process is led by a process management team, along with associated support functions, and a commissioning group made up of the city’s directors.

With the support of the accompanying NetZeroCities consortium, Malmö is turning these ambitions into tangible actions, proving that systemic transformation is possible when bold ideas meet concrete strategies.

“Our participation in the Pilot Cities Programme means a lot to us,” says Henrik Engblad, NetZeroCities programme coordinator from the City of Malmö.

“It has provided the momentum we need to accelerate our transition and to collaborate with other leading cities across Europe. This programme doesn’t just help us implement solutions—it integrates climate action into the very fabric of our city’s governance and planning.”

Systemic transformation in action

The seven transition areas define Malmö’s roadmap to climate neutrality, each addressing critical emissions sources and leveraging partnerships to drive meaningful change. The Pilot Cities Programme acts as a catalyst, mobilising resources, fostering stakeholder engagement and tackling three key barriers—technical, financial, or regulatory:

1. Decarbonising energy: cutting emissions at the source

Malmö’s heating system, powered largely by the municipal waste company Sysav’s waste-to-energy plant, is the city’s single largest stationary emission source, responsible for approximately 34% of total emissions. A major challenge? Fossil-based plastics in the waste stream.

“We’re investigating plastic separation to reduce fossil content in incineration,” Engblad explains. “But even then, emissions remain. That’s why Sysav piloting a Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) facility, expected to capture 90% of the CO₂ generated at the plant.” With a CCS pilot facility already in place, Malmö is testing solutions that could revolutionise urban energy systems.

2. Rethinking mobility: beyond cars and congestion

While energy systems are crucial, Malmö recognises that transforming mobility is equally important to the just transition. The city has made significant investments in electrification, cycling infrastructure, and public transport, but car ownership remains high. Road traffic still accounts for 38% of emissions, and while electric vehicle adoption is increasing, thus, the transition is not happening quickly enough.

To tackle this, the city is rolling out:

• Super bicycle lanes – comfortable, fast cycling routes that make biking a true alternative to driving.
• Mobility hubs – integrating micro-mobility options like e-scooters and shared bikes with public transport and workplaces.
• Pedestrianisation projects – transforming streets into car-free spaces to promote active, sustainable mobility.
• Malmö is undergoing significant growth, driving the need for a more modern and sustainable public transportation system. The city is actively enhancing its bus and train services with electrified, extra-long buses featuring routes specifically designed for their operation, and increased train frequency.

“We’re not just investing in infrastructure; we’re trying to change how people perceive mobility and move through the city,” says Engblad.

3. Circular economy & climate-neutral construction

Many industries in Malmö still rely on fossil fuels, and certain emissions (like nitrous oxide from sewage treatment) have no easy fix. The city is working with research institutes like the Stockholm Environment Institute to explore alternative materials, sustainable waste management and circular construction models.

The current focus of the circular economy roadmap is to establish a resource hub in Malmö, a new arena for companies, organisations and entrepreneurs who want to drive the transition to a more circular Malmö. The Resource Hub will facilitate collaboration around the local resource flows that exist in Malmö – waste resources from one company can become a valuable resource for another. The Resource Hub in Malmö has been launched and work has begun with stakeholders in Malmö, primarily in the textile, plastics and food sectors.

Collaboration as the key to success

One of Malmö’s innovative approaches is the Climate Contract Malmö, a local initiative aimed at bringing together stakeholders in the city to collectively achieve climate goals. It is strongly oriented towards collaboration between businesses, research institutes, and community organisations.

”Climate Contract Malmö brings together stakeholders who wish to accelerate the pace of Malmö’s climate efforts. We can’t transition alone,” says Engblad. “We need everyone—companies, universities, civil society—to be part of our transition. That’s why we meet regularly, host events and work closely with key stakeholders to align our goals.”

The Pilot Cities Programme has strengthened these efforts, supporting cross-sector cooperation contributing to the efforts towards a just and equitable transition where climate action benefits all citizens, acknowledging that this is an ongoing process still in its early stages.

Malmö’s commitment to sustainability is further demonstrated through its monthly Climate Talks webinar series, a key initiative aimed at fostering dialogue and knowledge sharing on climate issues.

As Engblad explains, “We have a new episode every month, and it’s a way to discuss and display the city’s climate transition efforts as well as broader sustainability topics.”

The sessions are conducted in collaboration with city employees and external organisations, companies and municipalities from across Sweden.

Henrik notes, “It’s not just about Malmö; it’s also about involving other municipalities in Sweden and learning from each other.”

Originally aimed at Malmö city staff, Climate Talks has expanded its reach to include the general public.

The webinars feature a range of topics, such as how companies can leverage innovation to reduce their own and others’ carbon footprints, CCS and the city’s investments in the technology and sustainable waste sorting.

“The goal is to help engage people and act as a knowledge hub in climate issues,” Henrik explains.

Recent sessions have also included discussions on how Malmö can achieve its climate goals, with Henrik adding,

“It’s about showing what we’re doing, but also providing a space for others to share ideas and solutions.”

This initiative serves as both a tool for engaging stakeholders and a knowledge-sharing platform for advancing the city’s ambitious climate goals.

From planning to action: the road ahead

Malmö’s roadmaps are living documents, revised annually based on new research and results as well as stakeholder feedback. As part of the Pilot Cities Programme, the city has already developed first versions for all transition areas, with roadmaps for heating, mobility, circular economy and electricity supply already in their second iteration.

Beyond 2026, Malmö aims to scale its activities through the Enabling City Transformation Programme, expanding efforts in consumption-based emissions reduction by tackling scope 3 emissions both for the organisation and for citizens, place-based climate strategies and further development of stakeholder mobilisation.

“Our journey doesn’t end with this Pilot,” Engblad emphasises. “We strive to making Malmö a model for climate neutrality in Europe.”

Malmö’s climate work stands out not only for its ambition but for its holistic, systemic approach. With a focus on governance, community engagement and continuous learning, the city is proving that the path to net zero is not just about technology—it’s about people, policies, and partnerships.