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CITY OF GOTHENBURG –CIRCULAR ECONOMY AT A STRATEGIC LEVEL

Gothenburg had already developed strong climate and sustainability programs, including a circular strategy (2021–2030). The next step was to create an Industrial Urban Symbiosis (IUS) strategy with clear goals, KPIs, governance and an action plan – anchored across municipal companies, administrations, and with input from external stakeholders.

APPROACH

Together with a core team representing city companies and departments, we facilitated five workshops supported by knowledge-building around IUS. A wider stakeholder workshop brought in industry, academia, research, and regional actors such as the Chamber of Commerce and Business Region Gothenburg. Input was collected via surveys and SWOT analysis, then synthesized into a comprehensive strategy proposal.

RESULT

The work delivered a clear IUS strategy with goals, KPIs, organizational model, and action plan. The results were shared broadly through a recorded presentation and report, leading to stronger knowledge of circular economy within key actors in the city. The strategy has since created momentum toward a broader mandate to implement and scale Industrial Urban Symbiosis in Gothenburg from 2025 onwards.