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Oslo is about to start in 2019 as the environmental capital of Europe

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Oslo wants to reduce its emissions by 2030, 95 per cent. An ambitious goal, but as the “European Green Capital 2019” you have to set the bar high – to have such a title.

Countless shipping containers, a huge intersection, traffic, exhaust gases: So you could of Oslo describe the port area some time ago, quite aptly. Today it looks totally different there. The traffic is redirected through an underwater tunnel, the Oslo fjord tunnel. It sums electric or hybrid vehicles. And above ground, soon, a Museum and a library to draw attention to itself, whose opening is planned for 2020.

The new projects are characterized by particular ecological and cultural characteristics, explains Anita Lindahl Trosdahl, project Manager from Oslo as the “environmental capital of Europe”.

Her office is located on the water, just a stone’s throw of a huge Museum, which is nearing completion: the new national Museum.

But the Rest of the city grows in record time – especially new apartments. And here is roughly taken around sustainability. “We use our market to build from now on, without fossil energy,” said Trosdahl. “So the building will not be only during the life as sustainably as possible, but also in the construction of self.”

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Oslo’s new waterfront to the cultural and environmental centre of the city

Bees and local power plants

Further to the North, away from the waterfront, the volcano district is another Hotspot for environmentally conscious, sustainable Building. In the 1800s, most of the factories were here in Oslo. Today, even hives can be found here on the roofs of modernized buildings – how on the construction of the new hotel, Scandic Vulkan.

“This summer we had the 500,000 bees, which produces 271 pounds of honey,” said Monica Egeberg, managing Director of the hotel. The hotel chain sees the bee as a Symbol for environmental protection. “But also in terms of energy, we are almost self-sufficient,” says Egeberg.

The Hotel was built in 2011, as the Rest of the old factory area said to be a hip and bustling district was rebuilt with Bars, Restaurants, entertainment, offices and apartments.

Also Oslo’s biggest Food Court can be found here in an old industrial hall. With in the building: a built-in power station supplies with heat pump, geothermal energy usage, and solar cells, more than 80 percent of the total electricity demand for the neighborhood.

The power plant of the ancient volcano-industrial hall provides renewable energy for more than 80 percent of the entire complex

The Green Model

Such green projects helped Oslo, against 13 other cities as “European Green Capital 2019” to enforce. In 2008, the competition of the European Commission, was launched. The goal is sustainable solutions that other cities can mimic or of which you at least can inspire.

In Global terms, Oslo is with less than 700,000 inhabitants-a smaller city. That is to say: Alone Oslo’s efforts to reduce emissions will not halt climate change. But Trosdahl finds that Oslo is perfectly suitable, in order to develop ideas, the international – when other cities or countries participate – can make a real difference.

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Green cities for a better climate

“After all, we are large enough to be solutions to try out, which can also be used in larger cities,” she says. “For example, we are world class when it comes to the introduction of electric vehicles. Other cities could learn something.”

Almost half of all new cars sold is electric, there are trams, electric buses, and ferries, which are operated with electricity from water power. In the icy winters of a waste incineration plant heats many houses in the city.

By the end of next year, Oslo aims to cut emissions by 36 per cent compared to 1990. By 2030, 95 per cent. The city administration has established a climate budget may be the world’s first of this kind.

“We count CO2 emissions as well as the money,” says Raymond Johansen, the mayor of Oslo. “All parts of the city of Oslo to report the extent to which reducing emissions, with specific and relevant goals.”

The climate budget gives the Council an Overview of the measures in the entire capital, so it is always clear and transparent, of whether Oslo is on the right path to reach its climate goals.

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Oslo car is free?

The city government, consisting of the Johansen’s labour party, Ap, the Greens and the Socialist left party, which was elected in 2015, is pushing ahead with its green Agenda since then, tirelessly. But some have also.

Above all, the companies have resisted this, to make up the majority of city centre car-free. Such plans had to be scaled back. Cars are banned, therefore, for the time being, only a few major roads, and in other areas, more space for pedestrians and cyclists will be available.

E-car drivers get perks, and those who can’t afford a electric car, to be punished?

The reduction of road transport is of crucial importance, since it is the largest source of emissions in Oslo.

Toll fees have already led to a significant decline in traffic. But because the prices for entrance have risen in the city in comparison to the previous year, of 3,20 Euro 2016 to 5.60 Euro in 2019, for a private vehicle – say the critics, that the load limit for many of the citizens to be reached.

“The biggest challenge for us now is to reduce the number of private cars,” says Johansen. But he admits that this is a difficult task, since the city could not exercise too much economic pressure on the driver.

Fully electric vehicles are exempt from toll and contribute to increase the sale of vehicles without fossil fuel quickly. But especially favored the Wealthy. Many who can not afford their gasoline – or diesel-powered vehicles with electric cars to share, feel punished unjustly.

Nevertheless, the majority of citizens support the issuance of the city’s goals. A recent survey showed that three-quarters of them are of the opinion that it was important to do what is Necessary, in order to reduce the emissions by 2030, 95 per cent.

And slightly more than half said they supported the goals to make the city centre car-free, while 63 percent said the measures to achieve the climate goals, Oslo would make a better city.


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