A city in Sweden, often seen as a “crazy town” for its ambitious environmental goals, aiming to go completely fossil-free. The city, known for its wooden architecture, has been focused on sustainable living and green initiatives even before the rise of climate activist Greta Thunberg.
The Swedish city of Växjö, located in Småland, committed to green urban living nearly a decade before Greta Thunberg was born. In 1996, a seminar led by the city’s mayor resulted in Växjö becoming the first city in the world to pledge to go fossil-free. This commitment has since expanded to a goal of climate neutrality by 2030, fifteen years ahead of Sweden’s national target. Despite initial skepticism, the city has reduced per capita carbon emissions by over 70% since the 1990s, even as its population and GDP have grown significantly, making Växjö a global model for sustainability.
In Växjö, local buses and council vehicles operate on biofuel derived from household organic waste. Over 90% of the city’s energy is sourced from biomass, utilizing forestry by-products like sawdust and branches from the nearby forests, which also supply materials for companies like IKEA. The remaining CO2 emissions come primarily from personal car users, despite the city’s extensive network of electric car charging stations and biofuel options like ethanol.
Växjö has become a global leader in large-scale timber architecture, with a requirement that half of all new buildings be made of wood from local forests. The Central Station and City Hall, a seven-story structure, showcase this commitment with extensive use of timber for both structure and decor, creating a welcoming space dubbed the city’s “living room.” A wooden bridge connects the station to a museum quarter that includes the Swedish Glass Museum and the House of Emigrants, highlighting the region’s cultural and historical heritage.
The museum area in Växjö features several historical buildings, including a windmill painted in traditional Swedish Falu Red, symbolizing ancient green energy. Near Lake Trummen, one of the city’s two nearby lakes, a trail of modern sculptures offers a cultural walk with artworks selected by residents. The city’s love for glass art is evident along Sandgärdsgatan, a central street showcasing crystalline pieces, leading to the iconic double-spired cathedral.
Walking through Växjö, it’s easy to admire the modern amenities that make 21st-century Sweden so appealing. The award-winning Kvarteret Geologen residential complex, also known as Trummens Strand, features striking high-rise wooden apartment buildings by the lake. Sustainability expert Olivia Thim from Vöfab explains that Växjö once had Sweden’s tallest wooden building and continues to prioritize building in wood for various structures, including apartments, sports arenas, and schools, embracing a wood-first approach.
Architect Karin Hård Af Segerstad from Arkitektbolaget discusses Växjö’s use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) for structural frames, complemented by cedar facades and various woods for interiors, enhancing residents’ well-being. Växjö’s focus on wooden architecture has offered valuable lessons, with local universities conducting research on wooden high-rise buildings and tracking long-term performance through sensors. This expertise has drawn researchers globally, making Växjö a pioneer in sustainable timber construction. The city seamlessly blends innovative wood architecture with historic buildings, many repurposed into shops and restaurants that emphasize local, sustainable cuisine.
At the modern design hotel PM & Vänner in Växjö, the focus is on sustainability, with locally sourced, seasonal, and organic food, and eco-friendly practices like energy-saving dishwashers and turning food waste into biofuel. The hotel also participates in textile recycling. CEO Erik Tellgren of VEAB explains that wood and forest “waste” from around Växjö meets the city’s electricity needs while reducing carbon emissions. The ash from burned wood is even recycled as compost for the forest. Växjö’s energy journey has come full circle, returning to wood-based power after starting with it in the 1880s, leading the shift away from fossil fuels.
Växjö’s story is a testament to the power of sustainable innovation and the city’s unwavering commitment to green living. From pioneering fossil-free ambitions in the 1990s to becoming a global leader in timber architecture, Växjö has demonstrated how tradition and modernity can coexist. By leveraging local resources—like forestry by-products for energy and wood for construction—Växjö has not only reduced its carbon footprint but has also created a model of urban living that blends aesthetic appeal with ecological responsibility. As the city continues to inspire sustainable practices worldwide, it stands as a reminder that a return to natural materials, like wood, can drive forward-looking solutions for a fossil-free future.
