Menu
Close menu

Articles and blog posts on climate adaption

Article / Security of supply

Swedish food supply shifts from just in time to just in case

Sweden's food supply system has been designed for efficiency, not crisis management. However, climate change, pandemics and geopolitical unrest have exposed the fragility of the system. It is not only a question of what we will eat if the worst happens, but also of whether we are prepared to deal w…
Article / Social innovation

Human-centred innovation challenges "business as usual"

Can innovation contribute to a better life for people while also creating a sustainable society? Innovation expert Dennis Pamlin explains why we need to abandon the 'fossil-free typewriter tactic' and innovate with people at the heart of it. Seniortorget in Umeå is a prime example of this approach …
Article / Corrosion

Cecilia is researching how surface treatment processes can improve product sustainability

All surfaces in our surroundings are affected by how they are used and the environments they are exposed to. Cecilia’s work with surface treatments extends the lifespan of many products and processes, reducing resource consumption - and thereby contributing to a more sustainable world.
Article

Swedish industrial companies could halve their energy consumption – new technology leads the way

Sweden is now stepping up to compete with the rest of Europe in the use of industrial heat pumps. A new initiative aims to help companies reduce electricity consumption while lowering their climate footprint – with the potential to save terawatt-hours annually.
Blog post / Water

Everyday life flows on – but for how much longer?

How long can everyday life keep flowing — with morning coffee and water from the tap — before something changes? The Drop it project explores how we can save water without sacrificing too much of our daily comfort, by combining smart technology with changes in behaviour. In a changing climate, we n…
Blog post / Textiles

Is chemical recycling the key to a circular textile value chain?

That was the central question when RISE gathered researchers and industry partners for a webinar on 25 September 2025. The focus was chemical recycling, a technology that can move the textile industry closer to circularity and reduce dependence on virgin raw materials.
Article

Heat waves create unhealthy indoor climate – Swedish houses need climate adaptation

Climate change is making heatwaves more frequent and intense, even in cold countries like those in the Nordic region. This creates new challenges for our buildings, which are designed to retain heat rather than release it. RISE is addressing this pressing issue from several angles.
Article / Circular transition

From words to action – how municipalities and cities can finance climate transition

Climate transition requires more than visions – it requires action. Across Sweden, several municipalities and cities are leading the way with concrete measures that reduce emissions, strengthen resilience and create sustainable communities. The transition needs to happen on a large scale and at a r…
Article / Pulp and paper

New EU requirements create business opportunities for cellulose fibre recycling

Cellulose fibres in paper and board can be recycled over and over again, but in practice many fibres disappear from the system after a few cycles. There is now increasing pressure to optimise recycling. Companies that act in time can achieve both cost savings and competitive advantages.
Article / Hydrogen

‘This has been one of the most educational six months of my life’

Challenging work tasks, supporting colleagues and an opportunity to make a difference. This characterises Fabian Kroner and Felix Thorgren's time as thesis students at RISE in the spring of 2025. - ‘This has been one of the most educational six months of my life,’ says Felix.
Article / Concrete and cement

“Reuse must become the norm in the construction industry”

The construction sector has a lot to gain from reclaiming materials - especially load-bearing structures such as concrete frames, which often have a long lifespan after demolition. Despite the great climate potential, development is being slowed by unclear rules and uncertainty about quality. To sp…
Article / Biorefinery

Circular bioeconomy solves several societal challenges

These are three of the great societal challenges of our time: how do we reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, make ourselves more self-sufficient - and improve our long-term preparedness for major crises? The solution to all three is the circular bioeconomy.
Article / Power production

How can the energy transition gain the power to be realized?

Questions about long-term conditions, market development, and innovative solutions are central when RISE brings together stakeholders from across the energy sector to discuss the future energy system.
Article / Food

Fermentation get the job done - here's the process that enables the protein shift

Fermentation is more than just trendy kombucha and kimchi – the ancient preservation method is being used to develop alternative protein sources. But how does it work? And what are the challenges?
Article

Swedish shower innovation type-approved and ready for the market

Showers are one of the biggest energy guzzlers in the home. But now, the technology to change this has been given the green light. With type approval and the go-ahead from industry bodies for its heat-recovery floor drain, the start-up company Enduce is ready to enter the market.
Article / Biorefinery

First in the world with sustainable production of carbon black

The tyres on our cars and the ink in our office printers contain carbon black, a chemical manufactured with a significant climate impact. Researchers at RISE were the first in the world to develop a special method of producing black carbon powder that is more environmentally friendly.
Article / Innovation management

Innovation begins in the mine

How do you lead innovation in an organization undergoing a historic transformation? For LKAB, it’s not just about new technology – it’s also about developing an organization that can systematically identify opportunities, make wise decisions, and turn them into action. – We often say that everyt…
Article / Power production

What role will biomass have in future energy systems?

The use of biomass has become a controversial issue in the debate about future energy systems. Some regard it as essential for the green transition. However, others warn of the negative effects of using forest residues for energy purposes. So, what do two researchers specialising in energy systems …
Article / Water

New threats in the water sector require new strategies

Water is essential for human life, social development and economic growth. Despite this, access to clean water is often taken for granted - especially in countries like Sweden, where water supplies have long been stable, secure and affordable. But in an era of climate change, geopolitical turmoil, …
Article / Maritime

Shipping: New technology and optimal design reduce energy usage

Stena Line’s new concept vessel Stena Futuro can reduce energy usage by 20 percent or more, combining existing technologies such as wing sails and air lubrication. RISE independently assessed the saving potential of the wing sails and helped with a study to confirm that the vessel fulfills certain …
Article / Electromobility

Testing crucial for the future of electric aviation

Heart Aerospace is a company with a clear ambition: to revolutionise regional air travel with electric passenger aircrafts. During the development of the first prototype of the ES-30 hybrid-electric aircraft, SEEL played an important role in testing the electric motor.
Article / Food

A more sustainable value chain for Swedish berries?

The vast majority of wild berries in Sweden are left unpicked, and of those that are, most are picked by foreign workers linked to large wholesalers. After picking, a large proportion of the berries are sent out of the country for processing. The municipality of Bjurholm wanted to try a new approac…
Article / Water

Time is running out – the future of water requires action

On April 29, RISE organized a full-day conference on the theme 'Water – from Vital Resource to Climate Challenge.' The conference brought together stakeholders from across society to jointly discuss how we can address both current and future water challenges.
Blog post

From risk to resilience – municipalities in climate transition

48 Swedish municipalities are aiming for climate neutrality by 2030. But how do we pay for the transition – and how do we avoid the costs of not doing so? Circular economy and new financing models can show the way towards both climate goals and economic resilience.
Blog post / Food

Nutritional benefits and shortcomings of plant-based dairy analogues

Growing consumer demand for plant-based alternatives to dairy products has led to the launch of many innovative products on the market in recent years. Although plant-based alternatives are more climate-friendly than dairy products, they have both nutritional strengths and weaknesses compared to mi…
Article / Circular transition

From Strategy to Action: How Husqvarna Construction is Exploring the Potential of Remanufacturing

Giving used products a new life is not only a sustainable solution—it can also make strong business sense. Join Husqvarna Construction on its journey towards a more circular business model. “We see both environmental and economic benefits in reintroducing products to the market,” says Adam Björk…
Article / Circular transition

How municipalities can take the next step in the transition work

Adapting our cities to be better prepared for the future is perhaps one of the most challenging tasks we face. No one knows for sure how the future will unfold. It requires innovation from everyone involved, especially in cities and municipalities. But how should one proceed and where should one st…
Article / Urban development

An unprecedented initiative - Climate Neutral Cities 2030 is stepping up

Sweden's largest initiative for sustainable cities, Climate Neutral Cities 2030, is stepping up. 48 of Sweden's 290 municipalities are coming together to tackle the climate crisis. In just five years, the original nine cities in the initiative have now become 48. According to Lars Johansson, change…
Article / Biorefinery

"We have a shared responsibility to drive the transition to green chemicals"

The plastics in our children's toys, the synthetic fibres in our clothes and the ingredients in the salve we use to lubricate our hands. The common denominator? The products contain chemicals of fossil origin that need to be phased out. Green chemicals is the key.
Article

Reverse auctions - key to energy efficiency in Sweden?

If Sweden needs to generate more energy, improving efficiency is the cheapest, fastest and most environmentally friendly way. Perhaps a successful concept in Switzerland could encourage more Swedish companies to replace energy-hungry machinery and outdated lighting?
Article / Innovation management

Foresight strengthens Sweden's global competitiveness

Rapid change requires long-term and sustainable strategies. By combining foresight with strong innovation leadership, Sweden can meet future challenges and strengthen its global competitiveness.
Article / Concrete and cement

Indian cement industry transforms with Swedish innovations

India is the world's second largest producer of cement – which means high greenhouse gas emissions. In a bilateral collaboration, Swedish companies are now developing new solutions to help the Indian industry make the transition. The bridge between Swedish innovators and the Indian cement industry …
Article / Food

Creating new foods that consumers want

Innovative foods can make a difference to both the climate and health - but only if they are actually chosen and eaten. In a facility where new ingredients are processed into products such as sausages, mince and burgers, researchers are using advanced analytical methods and a taste-testing panel to…
Article

From debt to innovation: New perspectives offer solutions to climate change

Climate change has long been characterised by reactive thinking and blame. But meeting the challenges of the future requires a new perspective that puts human needs and innovation at the center. – Businesses and cities should see climate change not as a blame game, but as an opportunity to innovate…
Article / Maritime

The sustainable harbour paves the way for greener shipping

Proactivity from all parties is a must if 'The Sustainable Port' is to become a reality. This is the view of Mikael Lind, Senior Strategic Research Advisor at RISE with a special focus on maritime transport and logistics. He calls for increased cooperation and more innovative initiatives if the por…
Article / Innovation management

System innovation helps Malmö become climate neutral

Around 70 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions come from our cities. At the same time, 85 percent of Europe's population is expected to live in cities by 2050, and 93 percent in Sweden. These figures make it clear why drastically reducing emissions is a must. In Malmö, system innovation is be…
Article / Lifelong learning

'Expert learning' helps companies transform

It is easy to talk about the big structural changes in society. It is harder to act. A company's experts need to be up to date with the latest knowledge, to develop the innovations that will make their products leaders in new markets - and at the same time to disseminate that knowledge throughout t…
Article / Water

Sweden's biggest effort for the future of water

Unlimited access to water has long been taken for granted in Sweden. But is the water supply really infinite? Do we have a plan for future climate change? And how prepared are we for future crises, such as water shortages during extreme droughts or major floods? Water Wise Societies has been tasked…
Article / Energy and electrification

Energy system analysis identifies different pathways for energy system transformation

Our energy system needs to be transformed. We need to move away from fossil fuels towards more sustainable solutions. To reach the set targets, several different solutions will be required - and to find out which ones are most effective, an energy system analysis can be an important tool.
Article

Sustainable renovation meets new demands on buildings

Requirements to reduce the environmental impact of buildings are becoming increasingly stringent, including the EU's EPBD directive. One challenge will be to have a complete picture in order to implement the right measures at the right time.
Article / Circular transition

Reuse can make the construction sector more circular

The construction and property sector is in urgent need of a transition to circular business models, not least to meet future sustainability requirements. One of the challenges is to create a working system for the reuse of construction products. Those who find the right solutions have a lot to gain.
Article / Artificial intelligence

How energy-efficient AI can reduce climate impact

AI has great potential for sustainability, but its energy requirements cause emissions equivalent to Sweden's annual energy consumption. By developing energy-efficient AI, we can not only reduce the technology's footprint, but also create innovative solutions that support the climate transition.
Article / Security of supply

How crisis preparedness can strengthen critical societal functions

The coronavirus pandemic, the war in Ukraine and more extreme weather events have increased the focus on preparedness issues across Europe. But good preparedness requires careful planning and proactive work "Otherwise, there is a risk of incurring even greater costs when the crisis comes," says L…
Article / Batteries

How Sweden can become a leading battery nation

Batteries are essential for the transition to a fossil-free society. They are already used in millions of consumer products, but also for various industrial applications - and demand is expected to increase. Sweden is well placed to become a leading battery nation. "But to do so, we need a comm…
Blog post / Water

Water crisis on the horizon?

Clean water has been taken for granted in Sweden, but climate change requires new thinking. With Unity4Water, RISE and industry are developing solutions for reusing process water - a step towards a water-wise future.
Article / Social innovation

More sustainable cities through AI and digitalisation

Digitalisation and AI are major enablers of future spatial planning and sustainable growth. Our existing built environments, as well as the new ones that are emerging, need to transform in line with the roadmaps set out in the 2030 Agenda. But there are many challenges in the built environment sect…
Article / Biotechnology

Growing the food of the future in a unique environment

It's a downward spiral that needs to be broken: climate change is affecting the availability of food resources, while the world's population is growing. Our eating habits contribute to new greenhouse gas emissions that fuel climate change. Does the solution lie in alternative foods?
Article / Concrete and cement

Recycled concrete builds cities of the future

Producing concrete has become a major source of global CO2 emissions. Simultaneously, 70 percent of the world's population is expected to live in cities by 2050. The growing need for infrastructure and housing means that the use of concrete will increase sharply. Therefore, there is an urgent need …
Article / Maritime

Wind drives shipping forward

The maritime transport sector is expected to grow strongly in the coming years. There is an urgent need to reduce the industry's carbon footprint. Wind power, a technology with millennia-old roots, is experiencing a renaissance and could be the key to climate neutrality.
Article / Social innovation

Urban design – a tool for social sustainability

Society is grappling with many social challenges. Residential segregation, social isolation, threatened public spaces - complex problems that can be tackled in different ways simultaneously. RISE contributes knowledge and new ways of designing and evaluating public spaces where temporary and small-…
Article / Drug development

Green transition for the life sciences sector challenging but possible

The life sciences industry aims to improve human health. At the same time, the sector is responsible for a significant climate impact. And the transition faces particular challenges. "We in the research community can help to better understand what can be changed and provide relevant assessment met…
Article

Who will protect the buildings from extreme weather?

Many Swedish buildings were built in a different era. Today, extreme weather conditions are becoming more frequent. This puts new stresses on buildings that can be difficult to withstand. But who is responsible for preventing damage and protecting buildings? The answer is not simple. – For example…
Article / Digital infrastructure

AI services consume energy – how can the industry drive sustainability

Are AI and other advanced digital services environmental villains or climate heroes? On the one hand, they can help increase sustainability, but at the same time, the data centres that power them require large amounts of energy and water. – A lot is happening in the industry now, with investments …
Blog post / Circular transition

Are We Innovating Fast Enough for a Sustainable Future?

Every fourth year, Electronics Goes Green (EGG), shows the way in connecting industry leaders with the latest research and innovations in sustainable electronics, we from RISE were there...
Article / Artificial intelligence

How AI can help fight climate change

Around the world, people are struggling to cope with the effects of climate change. Can AI help us tackle one of the great issues of our time? "High-tech AI is unlikely to be the whole solution. But it can improve low-tech solutions and make them more efficient," says Olof Mogren, research lea…
Article / Energy and electrification

European cooperation key to greening energy and boosting competitiveness

What is the single most important factor in Europe's transition to a climate-neutral energy system? The answer: cooperation. – Innovation and development happen when people, companies and nations come together, share knowledge and help each other, says Henrik Svenningstorp, Manger Strategic Re…
Article / Plastics

“I believe we've reached a point where large-scale collaboration is essential”

By 2030, IKEA intends for all the plastic used in their products to be recycled or renewable. With the hope of developing new sustainable solutions through cross-border collaboration along the entire value chain, IKEA has entered into partnership with the National Center for Sustainable Plastics at…
Article / Casting

Casting new life into a classic artwork

The real estate company Wallenstam wanted to create a new, smaller version of the artwork "Två myror" (Two ants). RISE was commissioned to cast the ants and bring the classic sculpture to life through sustainable casting."We knew what we wanted to achieve but needed the best expertise," says Ulf Ek…
Article

Student Competition NEB Design Challenge resulting in creative designs

The New European Bauhaus (NEB) is an initiative by the EU Commission that aims to harness the potential in culture and the creative sectors of architecture, art, and design to ramp up climate action efforts. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has stated that “If the Europea…
Article / Concrete and cement

How the construction sector can increase the reuse of building components

Reusing heavy building components such as concrete frames will help the construction sector achieve net zero emissions by 2045 – while increasing the number of homes. Efforts are now underway to shape the market. 
Article

How energy sharing became possible for the futuristic Tamarinden neighbourhood

Can a city grow while reducing energy consumption and emissions? Örebro Municipality challenged existing legislation and launched a pioneering project to make it work. The Tamarinden neighbourhood is now attracting interest from property companies and government officials alike.
Article

Energy system model for efficient transition

Other countries have already taken this step, but not Sweden. Until now. RISE's new system dynamics model of the Swedish energy system provides authorities and electricity companies with an important tool for taking Sweden towards zero emissions by 2045.
Blog post / Textiles

Recycling and Traceability in Focus at this Year's Techtextil

Last week, it was time for Techtextil in Frankfurt, a major textile fair held every other year focusing on technical textiles. Material developers, fiber spinners, weavers, and machine manufacturers from various parts of the industry and the world were present to network and explore trends for the …
Blog post / Food

Nutritional LCA – what is it and what can it be used for?

There is an increasing interest in introducing nutrition and health aspects in the assessment of the environmental impact of foods. A suggested method to do it is called nutritional LCA. Through nutritional LCA, it is possible for actors in the food system to include a more holistic sustainabi…