Smart plants in the service of climate

Purpose and goal:

The project aimed to develop the concept of climate forest, tree and plant cultivation with the aim of creating positive environmental effects. In addition to climate benefits, synergistic effects such as increase water absorption, removing soil and water pollutions and promoting biological diversity have been achieved. Knowledge about climate adaptation has increased through communication efforts.

Development of a business model for local climate compensation with climate forest is ongoing. There has been interest from many local actors. Expected results and effects:

The project has shown that climate forests can be planted in urban areas and used to absorb pollution in addition to other climate adaptation. Calculations show that phytoremediation contributes to significantly lower emissions of greenhouse gases and is cheaper compared to conventional excavation of contaminated masses. Samples of plant biomass show a clear uptake of pollutants such as heavy metals, PCBs, PAHs and chlorinated pesticides. Workshops with companies identified the needs to invest in local climate compensation.

Approach and implementation:

Three parties carried out the project, Järfälla Municipality, Clean Nature and Barkarby Science. The municipality of Järfälla was the project manager and provided a contaminated area where Clean Nature established a climate forest. Barkarby Science disseminated information about the project and explored what is important for companies to want to invest in local carbon offsetting through climate forests.

There has been a great deal of interest and the response has been positive, which has contributed to the continued growth of the climate forest.