Articles and blog posts on climate adaption

Do you sell or supply fuels for transport or for heating buildings? If so, you are affected by the EU's new emissions trading system. Christer Nilsson, audit manager at RISE, will tell you everything you need to know about ETS 2.

Catastrophic fires, those with exceptional costs or many casualties are increasing. What can be done about this? Researcher Johan Sjöström explains why fires in southern Europe are becoming increasingly severe and how common birch trees can help to reduce similar risks in Sweden.

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 with it.

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 in action.

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.

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.

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 need to protect our most vital resource – water.

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.

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.

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 rapid pace. But how should the transition be financed and how should we solve the major challenge of increased consumption?

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.

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.

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 speed up the transition, RISE has established a center with the goal of making reuse a natural part of the construction process.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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 everything starts in the mine, says Markus Odevall, Innovation Strategist at LKAB.

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 analysis have to say on the matter?

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, growing investment debt and digital vulnerabilities, the water sector faces new and complex challenges.

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 requirements for stability and maneuverability in scenarios such as sudden wind shifts or quick course changes.

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.

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 approach. Is it possible to combine the experience of short, local value chains with the economies of scale of long value chains for berries?

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.

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.

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 milk-based alternatives.

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, Sustainability Director at Husqvarna Construction.

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 start? An innovation partnership with RISE is a good start to succeed in the urban societal transition.

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 leader and transition strategist at RISE and part of the Viable Cities program office, the ambition is for all Swedish municipalities to become climate neutral, and it is not an impossibility. The initiative is driven by Viable Cities, which is one of Sweden's national strategic innovation programs.

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.

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?

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.

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 are experts from RISE.

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 pave the way for success at consumer level.

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, says Dennis Pamlin, innovation expert at RISE.

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 port is to maintain and strengthen its position as a transport hub.

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 being used to meet the challenge.

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 the organisation. Structured work on expert learning creates opportunities to bring research and learning closer together.

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 with securing Sweden's access to sustainable water, with RISE at the helm.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Lars Thell Marklund of RISE.

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 common arena for sharing information and costs. Once this is in place, the entrepreneurs will come," says Dina Dedic at RISE.

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.

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 sector that we need to address to fully benefit from the technology.

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?

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 to find sustainable alternatives to traditional concrete. The industry understands the importance of this. According to RISE's concrete and materials experts, a new standard for recycled concrete could be introduced as early as 2025.

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.

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-scale solutions can have rapid effects.

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 methods and tools. This will help focus efforts where they are needed and where they will be most effective," says Björn Gregertsen at RISE.

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, in the event of a major flood, property owners sometimes feel that it is the municipality that has failed to take responsibility. However, it is the property owner who should be protecting themselves against the climate risks in question, says Stina Stenquist from RISE.

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 in everything from energy efficiency to heat recovery," says Tor Björn Minde of RISE.

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...

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 leader at the Centre for Applied AI at RISE.Here's how it could work.

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 Research and Business Development at RISE. 

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 RISE.

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, Senior Advisor at Wallenstam.

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 European Green Deal has a soul, then it is the New European Bauhaus, which has led to an explosion of creativity across our Union.”

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. 

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.

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.

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 future. Of course, RISE was there to do the same. 

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 sustainability perspective of foods.

Another step is being taken towards a net-zero emissions future. High-value new construction products made from recycled wood and industrial wood waste residues are being developed. Alternative circular processes are being studied for both new building materials and composite building elements in a newly launched research project.

More forest raw materials will be needed in the future. Increased resource efficiency with regard to the use of raw materials is therefore necessary. There are two ways to go for construction with cross-laminated timber (CLT), to produce CLT panels by maximising the efficiency of current processes or to adapt the structure of the CLT panel to the final use of the building in which it is installed.

In Skara, the world's tallest wooden wind turbine tower is currently being erected. Modvion is building the unique wooden structure that reaches a height of 105 metres. Why do you want to replace the commonly used steel with wood?

It may be time for Swedish industry to become more aware of its water consumption. The risk of water scarcity is only part of the problem. "The EU's Green Deal imposes stricter requirements, and old permits may be re-evaluated. Many would benefit from a better overview before we get there," says Marie Karlberg of RISE. 

What will the future of construction look like? How can the currently linear value chain for housing construction become circular? Can industrially produced wooden houses be the answer and contribute to a shift towards a more circular construction sector with increased reuse?

limate change, biodiversity requirements and ecosystem conservation raise questions about the future. What types of wood will we have access to in the future? RISE has examined the potential of our third most common tree species, birch, and our third coniferous species, contorta pine, as structural timber.

How can housing in crisis areas, where infrastructure and buildings are lacking, be created with more sustainable solutions than the tents and reinforced tents often used today? Can concepts of blocks of wooden cabins be developed based on prefabricated small blocks with wooden frames?

Can spent yeast from beer brewing be used to replace fossil-based raw material in adhesives? This is being investigated in the Reflows project, which uses waste yeast from breweries to produce adhesives adapted for wood and paper applications in a circular way.

In the field of wood technology at RISE, many individual activities are ongoing, but they are also parts of a whole to support the development of a circular wood value chain. By creating a circular wood value chain, we utilize raw materials in the best possible way, which is a prerequisite for the continued development of the wood sector.

By improving the measurement and characterization of aerosols — tiny particles suspended in the air — using large-scale research facilities like MAX IV, air quality and public health can be improved.

By the end of the century, it is estimated that we will share the Earth's finite resources with 11 billion people. This means that current approaches to sustainability and reduced consumption are not enough. "We need to measure success in new ways. From manufacturing and selling as many products as possible to examining how organisations can give people the best possible conditions to live meaningful lives," says Dennis Pamlin, innovation expert at RISE. 

With its autonomous and electric-powered robot, Ekobot enables reduced use of chemicals while data collection provides new opportunities for the farmer. By collaborating with RISE early in its entrepreneurial journey, Ekobot has been able to develop and test its innovative solutions, representing a significant step towards a more sustainable and profitable agricultural production.

Would a collection of typewriter manufacturers focused on reducing their own emissions have invented the computer? Are we about to get the equivalent of the world's lowest-emission typewriters, when what we need is something completely different?

Light pollution causes problems for both humans and animals. But how can the amount of light pollution be measured reliably? And how can we reduce the negative effects of outdoor lighting, while making the light good enough for humans?

Eat less meat and fill your plate with more seafood. It's good for the climate - most of the time, anyway. But for business owners and consumers to make more sustainable choices, better knowledge of raw materials and production methods is needed at all levels."Starting to ask questions can be a virtuous circle of increased knowledge. Don't be afraid to ask your suppliers," says Friederike Ziegler, a researcher at RISE.

The Swedish Fish Industry Association needed more meat on its bones to explain the state of knowledge and answer burning questions. They found the answer in independent expertise. - All industries benefit from moving from opinion-based to fact-based discussions, says chairman Krishan Kent. 

The climate is changing at an alarming rate, with devastating consequences worldwide. For Venice in Italy, the situation has long been precarious. A too significant rise in sea levels could erase the city from the map.

European households are rapidly phasing out fossil fuel heating, and one of the key pieces of the puzzle is heat pump technology. In Sweden, the technology is already being used in record numbers of homes. Heat pumps are also a way to create more flexibility in electricity use – something that an electrified society will need.

Have you ever felt uncomfortable when someone refers to you as a 'resource'? Perhaps you've associated it with a feeling of being replaceable or manipulable? Imagine that we could change that negative perception and instead see resources as something powerful and positive.

The Swedish reduction mandate that obliges fuel suppliers to blend in biofuels to lower emission has been the hightest in the EU. In 2024 the mandate was drastically reduced to 6%. However, in August 2024, the government announced that the reduction obligation will be raised again in 2025, but to 10%. Here we explain what the mandate entails.

In a previous blog post, we posed the question, "Does generative AI run on thin air?" and discussed the associated challenges and strategies for mitigating energy use. We even put this question to ChatGPT, and it couldn't provide a clear answer.

Can we see into the future? Perhaps not in the literal sense. But we can actually plan and prepare for tomorrow on a scientific basis. 

Up to a third of all the world’s food is discarded. Often completely unnecessarily. Although households are responsible for most food waste, there is much that can be done upstream to reduce post-consumer food waste.   “It’s a major problem that no one can solve alone,” says Maria Nehme O'Neill at RISE. 

Cooling buildings requires a lot of energy and is expected to increase with climate change. By using certain materials and colors, part of the cooling can take place passively and inexpensive, even in full sunlight.

Have you tried asking ChatGPT how much energy it uses to train itself? It answers “As an AI language model, I don't have direct information about the specific energy use involved in training me."

Among the materials we need most for the sustainable transition are those that are rare or difficult to extract. And while our need for them increases, so does everyone else’s. The EU’s need for rare earth elements is projected to increase sixfold, by as early as 2030. The need for lithium will double over the same period – to twelvefold. If we cannot obtain the necessary materials – how will the electrification of transport and industry be possible? 

Let’s take a peek into the future of how much energy data centers in Sweden will use by 2030? The report "Energy Use in Data Centers and Digital System", written by us at RISE data center ICE, was recently released for the Swedish Energy Agency. Here we figure out how much energy that will be used 2025 and 2030!

By 2050, Europe will become the world’s first carbon-neutral continent. A concrete roadmap began to take shape in 2019, when the European Green Deal was reached. The EU has now proposed a large number of updated and new policies under the Green Deal. Here’s how your business will be affected.

He has developed copper-based hunting bullets that work just as well or better than those containing lead. Staffan Leth, hunter and passionate sport shooter, has the best possible proof of this. RISE’s test facility has delivered impartial evidence of the bullet’s behaviour.

Energy gases such as hydrogen, biogas and biomethane, and methods for storing and using carbon dioxide play an important role in the climate and energy transition. Different areas of use have different requirements on the quality and composition of the gases, which requires chemical analyses and quality-assured measurements.