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The climate municipality
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by Elin Dalaryd
The future climate change may have severe
consequences for Kristianstad, especially through flooding.
Major parts of the municipality lie very low but the constant
threat of floods has made the municipality well prepared
for an increased flood frequency in the future. Also, the
municipality is leading when it comes to mitigating climate
change.
 Kristianstad
is situated in a flood-prone, low-lying wetland area and
it is partly protected by levees. Sweden's lowest point
is situated near the city centre, 2.41 meters below sea
level. Precipitation in Sweden is expected to increase by
10-20% in the future and extended rain periods will occur
more frequently. However, Kristianstad's position has resulted
in a well developed work when it comes to flood protection.
The municipality is mapping risks, making forecasts and
taking measures to reduce the risk of floods. Strengthening
the city protection is extensive and costly, the project
is estimated to cost 20 million. New levees and pumping
stations are being constructed and old ones are being reconstructed.
Kristianstad also wants to be a forerunner
when it comes to mitigating climate change. A climate strategy
was adopted in 2005 and in 1999 the executive committee
of the municipality declare its will to become a Fossil
Fuel Free Municipality.
The measure that has resulted in the largest CO2-reduction
is district heating. New areas are continuously added to
the system and the proportion of bio fuel in the combined
heat and power plant is now 98%. Outside district heating
areas the municipality has converted 43 boilers in public
buildings from oil to pellets. At the municipal biogas plant
organic waste from households is co-digested with waste
from the food industry and manure. One part of the biogas
is upgraded to vehicle fuel and all 22 buses in the city
run on biogas. The measures taken in the municipality since
1990 has up to 2007 reduced the yearly release of CO2
by 134 000 tonnes, compared to a situation where no measures
had been taken.
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