1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Göteborg (FUA)
Region
Europe
Native title of the NBS intervention
Stadens träd: Policy för park och gatuträd i Göteborg
Short description of the intervention
The City of Gothenburg's policy for park and street trees was updated in 2016 and has the overarching aim to maintain and develop the ecological, historical, social and economic values of the city's trees and tree environments. Trees are described as having ecological, historical, cultural and economic values. They can provide ecosystem services such as habitat and biodiversity, air quality improvement, flood prevention, heat mitigation, recreation and aesthetic values [Ref. 1].

The policy applies to all trees in the streets, squares, and parks within the municipality but not to natural environments such as forests at the city's edge. Further, the policy is mostly relevant for municipality employees whenever they make decisions that will affect trees or tree-covered areas, such as zoning/planning and construction projects. Other actors in the city, such as private real estate or construction companies, are not required to follow the policy but are encouraged to consider it. The policy formulates sub-goals and guidances regarding the preservation of existing trees (prioritising large and old ones), the planting of new trees, the maintenance of trees, protection during construction work and finally, the taking down of trees, including compensation measures. The policy's direct effects is an expected improved management of trees within the municipal organisation. This may have further indirect benefits in the form of increased ecosystem service provision when the policy affects other projects [Ref. 1, 2].
Website of the intervention
https://goteborg.se/wps/wcm/connect/9eedc976-3de5-49a4-a29e-5d77b7e60e50/staden…
Principal problems
Climate-Related Hazards
Urban flooding (stormwater)
Heat stress & Extreme temperatures
Environmental Degradation
Biodiversity loss
Air pollution
Health, Well-being and Social cohesion
Physical health harm (from pollution, wildfire, extreme temperature)
Mental health issues (stress, anxiety)
Inadequate access to recreational opportunities
Loss of sense of place and identity
Implementation area characterization
Climate
Temperate ( Humid subtropical, Hot-summer Mediterranean, Warm-summer Mediterranean, Warm-temperate with dry winter)
Ecosystem
Urban or built environment
Address

Göteborg
Sweden

Location
The NBS is a city-wide initiative, the GIS point marks the centre of the city
Area boundary (map-based)
Area description
Urban (main city)
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Other
Please specify “other type of area” before implementation of the NBS
The project is city wide, including different environments. The policy mainly refers to streets, plazas and green spaces, and does not include trees in i.e. natural forests [Ref. 2].
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
unknown
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
2016
End date of the intervention
ongoing
Present stage of the intervention
Ongoing
Objectives of the intervention
Goals of the intervention
The main goal of the policy is that the City of Gothenburg should
"Maintain and develop ecological, historical, social and economical values of the city's trees and tree environments". The sub-goals in the policy are:
"1. Existing trees: Consider all values of the trees during planning which affects existing trees.
2. Planting trees: When planting new trees, choose the right tree for the right location and give the tree the pre-conditions to develop normally.
3. Tree maintenance: Care for the trees so that they are given the pre-conditions to grow normally and develop many values.
4. Protection of trees: Protect the trees from damages when construction work happens nearby.
5: Removing trees: Consider the values of trees and tree environments if trees are planned to be taken down." [Ref. 2]
Furthermore, the policy should contribute to the general sustainability goals of the city's environmental programme and some national sustainability goals [Ref. 1-2].
The "values of trees" frequently referred to in the policy are described in one of the sections, divided into ecological, historical, cultural and economic values. The values are also summarised as ecosystem services [Ref. 2].
Key Priorities
Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration)
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Green space creation and/or management
Habitat and biodiversity conservation
Regeneration, land-use and urban development
Regulation of built environment
Promote natural styles of landscape design for urban development
Cultural heritage and cultural diversity
Protection of historic and cultural landscape/infrastructure
Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
Effective management
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What types of conservation goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
No information provided regarding the goals of the intervention.
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Means for conservation governance
Manage biological resources for conservation and sustainable use
Raise public awareness
Mental health and well-being objectives
The policy acknowledges research showing that trees contribute to reduced stress and increased wellbeing, and aims to preserve those values of the trees. [Ref. 1]
Mental health and well-being activities
Particularly valuable trees, such as large old ones, that people may have a relationship to are prioritised to preserve. [Ref. 1]
Implementation activities and NBS focus
Implementation activities
1. The municipal park and nature department was tasked by the political park and nature board to update the existing tree policy.
2. The policy was drafted by a working group consisting of municipal employees and experts within biology, architecture and landscape architecture.
3. The policy was approved in 2016 by three different political boards: park and nature, traffic, and construction.
4. Based on the policy, the municipality will develop a system for maintaining the city's trees in a sustainable, long term manner.
[Ref. 1]
Type of NBS project
Strategy, plan or policy development
Creation of city-wide or neighborhood green and blue infrastrcuture protection or enhancement strategies/plans
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Grey infrastructure featuring greens
Alley or street trees and other street vegetation
Other
Parks and urban forests
Pocket parks/neighbourhood green spaces
Other
Please specify "other urban green space connected to grey infrastructure"
Any tree in the city outside of forests or other natural areas.
Please specify "other parks or (semi)natural urban green area"
Any tree/area of trees in the city outside of forests or other larger natural areas.
Amenities offered by the NBS
Unknown
Design elements for well-being
None of the above
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Unknown
Scale
Spatial scale
Meso-scale: Regional, metropolitan and urban level
Beneficiaries
Demographics in implementation area
All urban areas in the municipality are affected, no information on specific demographics.
Socio-economic profile of the area
Mixed income
Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts
Unknown
Primary Beneficiaries
Local government/Municipality
Citizens or community groups
Young people and children
Specify primary beneficiaries
1. Local government/Municipality: Some of the ecosystem services benefit the municipality, who would have to deal with the effects of losing ESS, such as increased flood risk.
2. Citizens or community groups: Trees have social values such as increasing wellbeing and creating a more pleasant climate.
3. Young people and chilren: The policy highlights that for children, access to green spaces are particularly important and areas with trees are inviting for play.
[Ref. 1]
Marginalized groups
Children, young people or youth groups
Measures for inclusion of marginalised groups
In choosing tree species and locations, the creation of hospitable environments that are inviting to children should be considered [Ref. 1]
Other beneficiaries
Local wildlife (e.g., birds, pollinators)
Native plant vegetation
Natural habitats (e.g. wetland, forests, coastal areas)
Ecosystem services (e.g. improved air quality, water purification)
City infrastructure (e.g., reduced flooding, improved water quality)
Public health (e.g. increased physical activity opportunities, reduced stress)
Governance
Governance arrangements
Government-led
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
The policy is created by and applies to the City of Gothenburg and it operations. In the process of creating the policy, several different departments within the municipality cooperated. Knowledge was also gathered from national agencies, other municipalities, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and more. [Ref. 1]
Key actors - initiating organization
Local government/municipality
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
National government
Researchers/university
Participatory methods/forms of stakeholder involvement (all stakeholders)
Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
Uncommon actors ("Missing actors")
Unknown
Land owners
Public space owned by the city
Policy drivers
NBS intervention implemented in response to a Regional Directive/Strategy
Unknown
NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan
Yes
Please specify the national regulations/strategy/plan
Three of the Swedish national environmental goals, established by the Riksdag (parliament), influenced the creation of the policy: 1. Clean air, 2. A good built environment and 3. A rich plant and animal life. The policy also refers to a national guidance document for considerations when dealing with trees in public environments, published by the Swedish National Heritage Board (government agency) [Ref. 1-2].
If there is a relevant strategy or plan, please specify the theme/type of the plan
SDGs National Strategy
NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan
Yes
Please specify the "local regulation/strategy/plan"
The policy refers to, and contributes to the goals of, the city's environmental programme (Göteborgs Stads miljöprogram) and the "Green strategy for a dense and green city" (Grönstrategi för en tät och grön stad).
Relevant strategy or plan
City specific green space strategy or plan
Municipal / city level environmental plan or programme
Mandatory or voluntary intervention
Voluntary (spontaneous)
Enablers & Barriers
Type of enablers
Unknown
Governace and decison-making instruments
Strategic instruments (e.g. GI strategies, green space strategy or plans)
Arrangements for governance cooperation
Unknown
Barriers
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
Please specify total cost (EUR)
The cost of creating the policy is unknown. The policy does not refer to the funding of the efforts it prescribes to reach it goals.
Source(s) of funding
Public local authority budget
Type of fund(s) used
Earmarked public budget
Non-financial contribution
Yes
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services)
Type of non-financial contribution
Provision of expertise
Co-finance for NBS
Unknown
Entrepreneurship opportunities
Unknown
Business models
Business models
Green densification model
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Public actor (e.g. municipality)
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Green space and habitat
Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
Expected increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
Reduced biodiversity loss
Expected reduced biodiversity loss
Other
Please specify other environmental impact
Achieved increased consideration of ecologival values of trees in governance
Please specify other economic impact
Expected reduced medical costs due to health benefits from trees
Description of environmental benefits
1. Expected increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems; Expected reduced biodiversity loss: The implementation of the policy means that the preservation of trees will be considered in exploitation or and construction projects by the City of Gothenburg, promoting conservation of ecosystems [Ref. 1, 2]
2. Achieved increased consideration of ecological values of trees in governance: The policy means that the ecosystem services provided by trees will be considered in planning and governance by the City. This could have further indirect benefits, such as mitigation of floods and heatwaves, and improved air quality [Ref. 1].
Economic impacts
Reduce financial cost for urban management
Expected reduce financial cost for urban management
Description of economic benefits
Expected reduce financial cost for urban management: The tree policy states that the long term sustainability and management should be considered, giving trees the right conditions to grow healthily. An expected effect from this is a reduced cost for tree management. Additionally, the ecosystem services promoted by the policy may indirectly yield economic benefits such as positive health effects leading to reduced medidal costs, or increased water retention capacity leading to reduced stormwater management costs [Ref. 1].
Social and cultural impacts
Cultural heritage and sense of place
Protection of historic and cultural landscape / infrastructure
Expected protection of historic and cultural landscape / infrastructure
Education
Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
Achieved increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
Description of social and cultural benefits
1. Expected protection of historic and cultural landscape / infrastructure: The policy states that old trees are an important part of the city landscape's history, and should be protected.
2. Achieved increased awareness of NBS and their benefits: The policy informs the municipal organisations as well as other actors in the city who read the policy about the benefits of trees [Ref. 1].

Additionally, the policy may have indirect effects when implemented in other projects which lead to an increase in the number or ecosystem service provision of trees, such as improved recreational opportunities, improved mental health or physical health [Ref. 1].
Mental health benefits
Reduced stress
Restoration and relaxation
Increased feelings of happiness and contentment
Evidence for use of assessment
Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Use of GIS in mapping impacts
No evidence in public records
Cost-benefit analysis
Unknown
Transparency
Online disclosure of technical reports (e.g. project documents, reports, or data)
Justice
Community satisfaction
Mixed: Feedback and reports show a combination of positive and negative sentiments regarding satisfaction with the NBS project within the community.
Description of locals satisfaction with the project
There has been some criticism from citizens not regarding the policy itself, but the way the city is implementing, or not implementing it. A few news and debate articles show negative sentiments regarding the city's choice to take down trees in different locations. They refer to the tree policy, claiming that it is not being followed. This can be seen as an indirect criticism of the policy, as it is not percieved as doing what it should [Ref. 3-5]
Trade-offs & Negative impacts
Unknown
Emphasis of existing social inequalities or injustices
No information reported related to negative social justice-related impacts of the NBS project
Measures to prevent gentrification or displacement
No initiatives or policies were implemented
High-quality & Transformative NBS
Multiple impacts delivery (climate, biodiversity, just community)
No
Goal setting and impacts delivery
No, project goals were not set, and benefits were not delivered in all 3 key areas.
Long-term perspective
Yes
Cost-effective solutions
Unknown
Equitable impacts
C. Unknown
Transformative capacity
Ecological change (e.g. ecosystem functions and their distribution)
Technical change (e.g. built infrastructure of cities and their parts, roads, buildings and so on)
Magnitude of change
Incremental: shallow; that is, mostly maintaining business-as-usual approaches to adaptation
Application of lessons learned
The NBS contributed to global and national targets for human well-being, climate and biodiversity
Perception of Environmental Change
Unknown
References
1.
City of Gothenburg (2016). Stadens träd: Policy för park- och gatuträd i Göteborg. [Source link] [Archive];
2.
City of Gothenburg (n.d.). Så arbetar staden med trädfrågan. Accessed on August 22, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
3.
Ceder, C., Wennerbeck, M., Lindell, B., Johansson, L., Johansson, T., Casari, B., & Olsson, J. (2017). Göteborgs ökända trädskövling fortsätter. Göteborgs-Posten, [Source link] [Archive];
4.
Lundberg, L., Mannheimer, E., Runström, B., & Lindell, B. (2023). Debatt: Vi hade önskat konkreta svar om Göteborgs träd. Göteborgs-Posten, [Source link] [Archive];
5.
Kamne, U. (2018). Debatt: Göteborg behöver fler träd. ETC, [Source link] [Archive];