Secretary General of the Association, Sebastian Navab, former Prime Minister (s) Goran Persson's communications strategist, is currently ceo of the pr-agency Nav. He says:
"Today, companies and organisations working with sustainable goods and services, both environmentally and socially, belong to various industry associations, which do not necessarily have the sustainability issue at the top of the agenda. At the same time, there is increasing demands for more and more to be sustainable and more and more companies to make sustainable ones.
Therefore, we form an association for all actors working with sustainability in areas such as energy, real estate and recycling. We are also open to other actors who support our cause, whether they come from the business, public or non-profit sector.
Green cities have identified 16 industry verticals with potential members and aim to bring together all actors working with sustainable products and services linked to community development.
Green cities should not only drive sustainability issues but also help their members do better business.
"Green cities should act as a watchdog for our members in relation to government policy. But we will also be a meeting place and business platform for partners and to be able to increase the members' business, through, for example, fairs and business networks. In this way, we create better conditions for increased sustainability in our urban environments.
If we are to achieve our climate goals, business must become more active. We do this by getting more people to produce more sustainably. That's the main objective. The membership fee is set after turnover, and costs from SEK 5,000 per year. The goal is to have 100 members before Almedalen Week.
"There has been a lot of interest. Even before we get started, we have 30 members. In addition to members, Green Cities also has partners. They are today, among others, Svenska Mässan, Husqvarna and United Spaces.
Why are Green Cities needed?– Many of the organizations that exist today are based on stuprösformatwith exactly the same kind of members. We are a modern organization based on a horizontal structure where our members organize themselves around an issue rather than based on the type of product they produce. Today there are plenty of networks and organizations in the field of sustainability instituted by the political or public. It is good to discuss future issues but, the founders felt the need for a trade association that proactively drives the issues that have the potential to improve the potential for the profitability of the producers. More hockey, that's all.
Why are we called Green Cities?– If we are to achieve the UN's goals and the national climate goals, our urban environments must be more sustainable.
Do you not exclude the countryside by that name?– Even in the countryside there are small, urban environments. They also make an impression on the environment. People shouldn't have to move from the cities to the green, but need to get the green to move into our urban environments where many people live.
Green cities have both a board and an advisory board with well-known participants. The board includes Leif Zetterberg, Center Party artist and former State Secretary in the Alliance Government, as well as representatives from Vattenfall and Envac. The Advisory Board is led by Roger Tiefensee, Center Party group leader 2006-2011.
Green Cities Issues
- Sustainable procurement
- Innovation development
- Export subsidies
- Capital supply
- Environmental rules
