But how can we follow this advice when our houses have been designed for a different purpose?

It is clear that heatwaves and their impact on the indoor climate of our buildings are becoming an increasingly serious problem. Swedes like to have large south-facing windows that let in plenty of sunlight, particularly in winter when it is so dark. However, during the summer, this can become problematic. 

"The design of a building is very important," says Jutta Schade, a senior researcher and project manager for Sustainable construction at RISE.

"This creates a conflict because there are requirements for buildings to have a certain amount of daylight. These aspects clash," says Peter Ylmén, Doctor of Technology and RISE expert specialising in energy simulation and sustainability issues related to buildings.

Proven effective: sun protection and ventilation.

Fortunately, there are relatively simple solutions for dealing with excessively high indoor temperatures. Sunshades in the form of awnings, for example, can block up to 90 per cent of the sun's rays before they have a chance to heat up the window glass and, consequently, the room. There are also solutions involving semi-transparent fabrics that let in daylight but block most of the heat radiation.

"We can solve a lot of problems by ventilating at night, when temperatures are usually lower. However, this requires you to be able to open your windows, which isn't always possible depending on where you live. In cities, smog and noise pollution can make us reluctant to sleep with the windows open. The effect is also reduced if you can only open windows on one side of the room, as is often the case in flats. Ideally, you want to create a draught," says Peter Ylmén.

Iordan Palma is a doctoral student at RISE and Malmö University, where he is researching settlement patterns within the population. His work involves studying literature on how overcrowding and high levels of airborne particles can affect cognitive function and academic performance. He has found that the poor ventilation conditions mentioned by Peter Ylmén are prevalent in areas with a low socioeconomic status.

"Tall buildings, which are particularly common in vulnerable areas, often have little sun protection and poor ventilation. This could suggest that excessive indoor temperatures are a more significant issue there. The combination of poor ventilation and a population consisting of many children and elderly people, who are at risk during heatwaves, means that the problem is likely to be particularly serious in these areas," says Iordan Palma.

Climate adaptations to reduce indoor temperatures.

Unlike in countries with a generally warmer climate, ventilation in Swedish buildings is usually designed to combat odours and moisture, rather than to manage heat.

"This needs to be taken into account during conversions, renovations and new builds. Many people choose to address the issue by installing cooling units, but this is not an environmentally friendly solution. Not only does this increase energy consumption, but it also results in extra equipment that needs to be controlled and maintained," says Peter Ylmén.

Phase change materials, which can store and release heat by switching between solid and liquid form, are another possible solution that is more energy efficient. When the indoor temperature rises above a certain level, the phase-change material — such as paraffin wax — melts, absorbing a lot of energy without itself becoming warmer. When the temperature drops, the material solidifies again, releasing the stored heat. Phase change materials can be incorporated into walls, ceilings or floors.

"However, it is quite expensive, and as far as I know, it has not had a significant impact. People are working on the issue, but I wouldn't say there's an innovative solution that's better than sunshades or ventilation," says Peter Ylmén.

Simulates how thermal energy moves in buildings.

RISE is at the forefront of building physics research, investigating how heat, air and moisture move in and through buildings and their materials. It also has a test bed for ventilation solutions and extensive expertise in urban planning, property development and architecture. Collaborating with the construction industry ensures that the ideas and solutions developed through research can be implemented in practice.

"At Building Physics, where Jutta and I work, we don't design buildings. However, we do help with energy and temperature simulations, and we can evaluate these by taking measurements on site. We provide support for the development of housing and buildings at all levels, from policy to individual properties," says Peter Ylmén.

The message from researchers is clear: sun protection, ventilation, and awareness of the risks associated with excessively warm living and working environments are a good place to start when it comes to addressing the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves.

The public sector has a key role to play

Municipalities and municipal companies have great potential to drive the transition by demanding circular solutions in procurement, developing reuse strategies, and implementing governance models that promote long-term value preservation. However, there are challenges here as well.

- Circular value chains require a greater degree of planning and the involvement of more actors throughout the chain, but they also offer many opportunities to create a local economy that is environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable. For a municipality, it can be crucial to receive support during the initial phase—to learn from previous experiences and to get help in creating a system tailored to the municipality’s resource flows and operations,” says Carolina Andrén Eriksson, and continues:

- Through experience from both businesses and municipalities, we can draw the best lessons from each sector to create solutions that meet the municipality’s needs while complying with applicable laws and regulations.”

A clear example of a city that is accelerating this work is Malmö. 

- Here at RISE, we support them with our expertise in climate change, including through partnerships. One example is a project where we focus on private consumption. Together, we are working on prioritising measures based on Malmö's ambitious goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2030. Together with the city's transition team, we are analysing what measures and changes that need to be made. It's simply a matter of working on what has the greatest impact, says Ulrika Vejbrink, Innovation and Process Manager at RISE..  

She explains that the transition team in Malmö is showing great commitment and involvement in the work, which is particularly important for success.  

- When we work together, it also becomes clearer to them what measures are needed and how they can successfully implement them. 

Data and statistics as a basis

Ulrika Vejbrink explains that there is a difference in how municipalities can act in different areas of climate change.  

- If we look at sustainable construction and mobility, these are areas over which the city has some control and can make more direct efforts compared to, for example, private consumption. But consumption is an important part of climate work, as greenhouse gas emissions from household consumption are around 5.5 tonnes per person per year, depending on what you include. In order to achieve the Paris Agreement targets, global emissions should be reduced to 1 tonne per person per year by 2050*, says Ulrika Vejbrink.  

In its work with the City of Malmö, the team uses various data sources and the Consumption Compass tool to obtain the best possible basis for decision-making and to identify which target groups should be prioritised in the work. The Consumption Compass is an interactive tool that enables municipalities and authorities to analyse, compare and reduce emissions at the local level. It shows emission levels at different geographical levels, from counties down to specific postcodes.

- Together with the team in the city, we are working on workshops and analyses where we look at Malmö's potential to create maximum benefit in the transition,’ explains Ulrika Vejbrink.  

Carolina Andrén Eriksson and Ulrika Vejbrink see the challenges facing municipalities and cities, but also the opportunities this creates.

- Climate investments in cities or municipalities can add value by spanning the entire sustainability area, but also society in general. For example, if a city or municipality invests in smart infrastructure solutions to manage heavy rainfall and at the same time contributes to strengthening the positive impression of the city centre, then they have thought ahead, they both say, concluding:

- These are the kinds of things we also support municipalities and cities with. At RISE, we have expertise in the entire field of sustainability, for example circular transition, industrial transition, innovation management, business model development and a wide range of technology and technical innovation.  

*Consumption-based greenhouse gas emissions per area - Sweden's environmental objectives 

>> How your business can receive support in climate transition through RISE expertise: 

Climate transition in urban environments

Conflicting objectives or synergies?

The water sector today balances three overarching objectives:

1. Welfare and prosperity - providing accessible, reliable and cost-effective water supply to all.
2. Sustainability and equity - ensuring that resources are used efficiently, distributed equitably and not depleted.
3. Preparedness and climate adaptation - building resilience to crises such as extreme weather, sabotage and ultimately war.

These objectives are sometimes compatible, but often they clash. For example, investing in resilience and redundancy can conflict with short-term cost efficiency.

– We humans tend to have a so-called negative bias, where we see conflicting goals rather than synergies. But the synergies exist, said Robert Gladh, project manager at RISE, who also spoke at the conference.

He highlighted green-blue solutions in urban environments as an example of how several goals can be achieved simultaneously. Trees, ponds and other nature-like systems not only manage stormwater and protect against flooding - they also create recreational environments and increase biodiversity. Identifying and highlighting these synergies requires a holistic approach - something that foresight work actively trains and supports.

Digitalization: a double-edged sword

Digitalization is one of the most transformative forces of our time. In the water and wastewater sector, it offers great opportunities for streamlining, monitoring and optimizing systems.

– Digital solutions provide better decision support and increase the capacity of organizations, but at the same time new vulnerabilities arise. Increased automation can lead to fewer people being physically present on sites, reducing our ability to detect anomalies manually. The risk of cyber-attacks is also increasing, which means that security issues need to be addressed more seriously, said Johan Granberg.

A new threat landscape requires new thinking

Today, water supply is no longer only threatened by climate change, but also by threats such as rumors, information influence and targeted sabotage.

– As a municipality, we have always had to deal with real events affecting drinking water. What is new is that we now also have to deal with false alarms and rumors. A clear example is the cryptosporidium parasite outbreak in Östersund in 2010 - and the false rumor of a new outbreak in early 2025, said Robert Gladh.

In these contexts, the link between water and sanitation systems and total defense becomes clear.

– Infrastructure attacks are often about undermining societal will rather than providing military effect. This underlines the need for both technical robustness and social resilience, said Johan Granberg.

Foresight in practice - the road to future proofing

To meet this complex reality, RISE offers tools and processes for strategic foresight in the water and wastewater sector. Through scenario planning, system analysis and long-term collaboration, RISE helps municipalities, authorities and water and wastewater organizations to identify robust ways forward.

>> Read more about our offer: Future-proof your water and wastewater operations with foresight and strengthen your preparedness for future challenges

Water is crucial for life, societal development, and welfare – but in our part of the world, it is often taken for granted. With climate change and increased global uncertainty, secure water supply is no longer a given.

How do we ensure water availability in a time marked by climate crisis, drought, and heavy rainfall? This was the central question when RISE gathered experts, decision-makers, and innovators at the Forum Samhällsbyggnad 2025 in Malmö.

The moderator for the day was Magnus Arnell, a researcher at RISE and program manager for the innovation program Water Wise Societies. He set the tone for the conference:

- We have historically been spoiled with water in Sweden. We have had plenty of high-quality water. But we see increasing challenges related to water, both now and in the future.

But how can we prepare for the future when there is so much uncertainty? Johan Granberg, an analyst at RISE and a doctoral student at the Swedish Defence University, and Robert Gladh, a project manager in water supply at RISE, opened the conference by discussing uncertainties and choices for the future of water.

- The future is uncertain and constantly changing. Through structured methods, we can prepare for different scenarios and thereby reduce surprises when changes occur. But understanding alone is not enough. It must also lead to action, even if it feels uncomfortable and uncertain. Because it doesn't become less uncertain just because you wait, said Johan Granberg.

One shared water

Climate change is rapidly changing the rules of the game. We see more downpours, floods, and rising sea levels – while periods of drought and water scarcity become more common. Drinking water is also threatened by new, often unknown pollutants that require new technology, increased knowledge, and cross-sector collaboration.

The challenges require a holistic approach – a system change where municipalities, authorities, researchers, companies, and citizens collaborate around common goals, share data, and promote an innovation-driven culture.

Susann Milenkovski, environmental strategist at Region Skåne, together with Shane Carnohan, researcher at RISE, and Marie Karlberg, project manager in industrial transition at RISE, presented challenges and solutions related to water supply in Skåne. How water, as a shared and cross-border resource, requires shared responsibility and cooperation between municipalities to be managed sustainably.

- We need to zoom out and plan society from a watershed perspective. It is only when we collectively take primary responsibility for our shared natural resources that we can manage goal conflicts and give nature's resources the same priority as growth and development. With common tools, increased knowledge, and cooperation in inter-municipal management, we can take joint responsibility for our water supply and plan sustainably in a real way, said Susann Milenkovski.

Continuing on the theme 'One Water – One Resource,' Anna Maria Sundin, project manager at RISE, and Stina Bertilsson Vuksan, environmental strategist in Helsingborg city, highlighted the fact that Sweden faces significant investment needs in the water and sewage sector while requiring a transition to circular, resource-efficient solutions. It is not just about securing drinking water and wastewater treatment but also about recovering nutrients, energy, and water in treatment plants – something that demands innovation, collaboration, new business models, and legislation.

- Water and sewage are an integrated part of society, and overall, this service works well – we deliver water to households, businesses, and industry. At the same time, we face climate challenges, with increased risks of both downpours and drought. This means we must work more actively to create water-resilient communities, use water more wisely, and take advantage of the resources that water actually contains, said Anna Maria Sundin

Reduced water usage through behavior change

Åsa Håkansson, technical manager at Sydvatten, and Sandra Nordström, communication strategist at the same organization, shared their work to create sustainable solutions for future water usage. Together with Josefin Klingberg, project manager in water supply at RISE, they discussed the complex factors affecting water resources in the region and the long-term efforts to reduce water usage.

- To reduce water usage, we need to work with both technology and behavior changes, not either or. And when it comes to influencing people's behavior, communication plays a central role. If we can get people to understand the value of water and that water is a natural resource that should be sufficient for many and for much, then perhaps we can achieve a behavior change that reduces water usage in society by using water in a more sustainable way, said Sandra Nordström.

How do we climate-proof our societies for the future?

The final session focused on climate-proofed cities and communities as downpours, floods, and fires become more common with climate change. On stage were Stina Stenquist, research coordinator with a focus on climate adaptation at RISE, Karvel Andersen, technical specialist at Stockholmshem, Per Törnqvist, Head of Group Ratings at Danske Bank, Niklas Thidevall, lawyer and policy researcher at RISE, and Tommy Danielsson, senior planning strategist at Kristianstad Municipality.

Downpours and floods are already a recurring problem, both internationally and nationally, with significant economic consequences. But the question posed is: who should bear these costs and how can we prevent damage?

- The distribution of responsibility and cooperation between public and private actors is central, and therefore we work broadly with all actors in this chain. Together with property owners, municipalities, insurance companies, banks, and other actors, we develop systems and solutions to protect our communities from the growing climate-related risks and to ensure that our buildings withstand future weather challenges, said Stina Stenquist.

An urgent problem that requires multiple solutions.

Maciej Zakrzewski, Head of Infrastructure at RISE, summarized a packed day filled with many interesting perspectives:

- There are many thoughts. There are many ideas. It is clear that there is not ONE solution. We need to work with policy, technical solutions, communication, and behavior changes. It's not about either or – we need to work with everything to have an effect.

He continued to emphasize the importance of swift action and RISE's central role in the transition:

- What strikes me is a sense of urgency. Because it is urgent. Developing the solutions is just the beginning. We must maintain a high pace, dare to scale up, and ensure that the solutions reach their destination. And here, RISE plays an incredibly important role as a change engine that contributes to structural transformation. We assist with research, expertise, and the actual opportunities to go from idea to action.

With the insight into the need for speed and collaboration, he finally highlighted the importance of a bold and innovative approach to meet future demands:

- Daring to think anew is no longer optional. It is an absolute necessity. Innovation is not just a tool for growth but a survival strategy.

- When we talk to international colleagues, they are surprised by our work. The scope of this initiative is unprecedented in the world. But much work remains, and now we will focus on scaling up and implementing concrete measures in the cities, and a lot will happen during the year, says Lars Johansson.

Tough goals drive action

A central part of the Climate Neutral Cities 2030 initiative is that the stakeholders together contribute to the faster scaling up of solutions, working methods, and learning, both within Sweden and internationally. The initiative is carried out in collaboration with the EU's mission for climate-neutral cities, the EU Cities Mission. A central part of the work is the Climate Contract 2030, which is a process where the cities, together with six authorities, accelerate the transition.

- To participate in the initiative, your city must have the ambition to become climate neutral by 2030. It is a tough goal, but tough goals are needed for the transition to happen. Each city must also develop a climate roadmap, which outlines what they will do to reach the goal, including which emission reductions are significant and should be prioritized. This also includes the city looking at the financing of the transition, says Lovisa Vildö, Innovation and Process Leader at RISE, who also works at the Viable Cities program office.

An example of how a city is working is Lund. Here, the city has identified that transportation and agriculture are the largest sources of emissions, and therefore they will work with targeted measures such as sustainable travel to and from schools, as well as the reuse of building materials, energy efficiency of street lighting, and super cycle paths that are bike lanes through the entire city center. In collaboration with the neighboring municipality of Lomma and SLU Alnarp, Lund is also exploring strategies for increased carbon sequestration in both the municipality's own and privately-owned agricultural land.
RISE contributes in Lund with expertise on the efficient use of energy and power at the neighborhood level, for example by looking at how energy communities can function in the local energy system. Additionally, RISE also supports the mobility area, including parking issues and by creating its own green travel plan.

At first glance, it may seem like isolated measures, but all parts work towards the larger goal within the city, says Lars Johansson.

- Within Climate Neutral Cities 2030, we also support cities in governance innovation. This means leadership, management, and organization where the entire city transitions, including both the municipality and all other actors operating there. Otherwise, there is a risk of only carrying out isolated projects that may not lead to any significant results in the end, he says and continues:

- For example, it involves establishing transition teams and transition arenas to strengthen the capacity to work more horizontally and with network governance to meet the complex challenge that the climate transition entails. In this change work, RISE contributes with capacity in change management (how to create mandates and orchestrate change with, for example, boundary-spanning and interstitial leadership).

Different conditions require different solutions

An important part of Climate Neutral Cities 2030 is the wide range of municipalities with partners involved. All have different conditions for succeeding with the transition and how it should be done. The lessons learned are shared between the cities.

- A good example is Ulricehamn, which aims to create a sustainable everyday life for its residents and develop the business sector while working on the climate transition. Ulricehamn has a large proportion of subcontractors to the industry in West Sweden, such as larger companies that demand increased sustainability efforts from their suppliers. Through local climate agreements, municipalities can both support and mobilize companies in the transition. Our work strengthens the municipality's business sector in the long term, which is positive, says Lars Johansson.

RISE's broad expertise – a strength in Viable Cities

RISE is part of the Viable Cities board and staffs part of the program office. Additionally, RISE participates in about ten local transition teams. The latter are working groups that drive the transition work forward at the local level in the various cities.

- The transition teams are composed based on the needs of the specific municipality and region. At RISE, we have thousands of experts in various fields, ranging from energy and materials to mobility, sustainable construction, and water issues, among others. They become a very good resource in this context, as experts and system actors who help to keep the whole together and see the significance for the entire initiative in each city," explains Lovisa Vildö and continues:

- One of the advantages of us at RISE is precisely the ability to look up and find synergies and see the big picture, so we work more efficiently and smarter together with the cities. The lessons and knowledge developed within Viable Cities are spread across Sweden and even Europe and the rest of the world.

- It is a fantastic export opportunity for Sweden to spread the experiences and lessons learned within Climate Neutral Cities 2030 to other countries and their cities. The context, with the network and knowledge that exists here, is an enabler for a transition and development that contributes to Swedish expertise being in demand and contributing to a good life for everyone within the planet's boundaries. By scaling up the initiative in Sweden, and we believe that all 290 municipalities can and want to participate, we contribute to a faster transition from the local to the global," concludes Lars Johansson and Lovisa Vildö.

* A boundary crosser is a person who has understanding and knowledge of different contexts such as academia, the public sector, and business, with the ability to cross real or imagined boundaries

>> More about Viable Cities 

>> Please contact maja.manner@ri.se for more information on how RISE kan support your city or municipality in the transition work.