Green Sigtuna

An Eco-municipality and a Fairtrade City

As an Eco-municipality for over 16 years, Sigtuna ensures a high priority is given to environmental and conservation issues. In 2008 Sigtuna also joined The Swedish Energy Agency's program for a Sustainable Municipality, which works to systematically integrate the energy perspective into the daily work of the community which in turn reduces the environmental impact necessary for a sustainable society.

Since 2010, Sigtuna is also a Fair-trade City, like the cities Rome, London and Brussels for a fair and ethical consumption. This means that the municipality and a great number of shops and businesses operating here live up to the Fair-trade requirements for ethical procurement and supply of ethically labeled products.

Ten green minutes away

Across the municipality are valuable grazing lands, important aquatic environments, vast areas of forests, parks, and also plenty of 1000 year-old runic stones and historical cultural buildings. Many of these areas are protected in nature reserves. ‘No one should be longer than ten minutes walking distance away from a green area.’, is a stated motto in Sigtuna and one which the community works to protect.

Arlanda’s environmental efforts applauded as world-leading

Sigtuna is the proud home municipality of Sweden’s largest airport, Stockholm Arlanda Airport, which works in various fields to minimize the adverse environmental impact of its operations. Reduced carbon dioxide emissions is one of the areas the airport is most focused on – since 2004, net emissions of carbon dioxide have been cut by more than half. In 2010, the airport was the world´s first airport awarded the ACI prize. The ACI is Europe’s newly established environmental prize for outstanding achievement in environmental performance and innovative approaches to environmental management.

“Stockholm-Arlanda Airport is probably the hands-down winner in actively battling global warming." - quotation in The New York Times, April 24^th, 2009.

First climate neutral destination

Sigtuna is Sweden's fourth largest hotel destination in terms of hotel nights. Sigtuna’s hotel and conference facilities have’ in different ways’ been working with sustainability for a very long time. In 2010 they took a unique joint first step towards sustainable tourism and climate neutrality for the entire destination. Sigtuna is thus, the first destination in Sweden to move towards a net carbon dioxide emission that is equal to zero. Now Sigtuna has challenged Sweden´s three largest cities - Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö, to follow their lead.

Unique Water Park

In the heart of Märsta, you can find Scandinavia’s first biologically cleansed outdoor water park. There isn´t a drop of chlorine in any of the four well-visited pools. Through a naturally inspired system of ponds, plants, rocks and gravel, the water is filtered and sent back fresh and clean.

Ecological Award

The Ecologistic Award was initiated by DHL Global Forwarding and issued annually by the Arlanda Logistic Network.This award acknowledges and rewards a significant and innovative environmental logistics work, a collaboration between two or more parties in the Arlanda area. In 2010 the award was given to Stockholm Arlanda Airport’s taxi system. By giving precedence to cars that run on green fuel, Stockholm-Arlanda has reduced its carbon dioxide emissions by thousands of tones since the taxi system was introduced in March 2010.

 

Green integration at Skalmsta

At Skalmsta Gård, a farm situated close to Arlanda, hard work goes into creating and offering a way for people who have immigrated to Sweden to find a way to work and explore the countryside. Skalmsta Gård works as an incubator for new products, new experiences and new companies that come from rural areas. Skalmsta welcomes all who have new ideas and experiences within the rural area.  This is a place where those who are new to Sweden can test their ideas, find a market, build their own network and get involved with organizations that can help develop their ideas.

Hotels creates profitability and sustainable development through co-operation

Sigtuna hotels creates profitability and sustainable development through co-operation

This week the Tällberg Forum is held in Sigtuna. An active work of sustainability, naturally associated to high quality and worthwhile offers, is becoming a more important component to attract meetings and conferences here.

During the year 2010, Sigtuna became Sweden’s first climate neutral destination, as the hotels and conference centers got together in a joint project. After having calculated their climate emissions, they compensated these through projects that lowered the emissions that could not be avoided.

This unique co-operation continues and Sigtuna is still the only climate neutral destination in Sweden.

“We have challenged other destinations to do the same and we are hoping that we soon will get some followers”, says Camilla Zedendahl, CEO at Destination Sigtuna.

At the same time, as all business managers knows, profitability has to be focused on. “What we are seeing is that sustainability and profitability accompany each other. During 2010 Sigtuna expanded as a destination with more than ten percent and the hotel occupancy is very good.” continues Camilla Zedendahl.

“Environmentally conscious standards internally are obvious”, says Lotta Giesenfeld Boman, owner of the conference facilities Sigtunahöjden and Stora Brännbo Conference centers in Sigtuna town, “but we need to take a wider responsibility for questions regarding sustainability”.

Lotta and her colleague Björn Jonzon were chosen The Entrepreneurs of 2011, in Sigtuna, for their leading environmental work, among other things.

Charlie Edlund at Steningevik Conference center emphasizes how important the environmental work is for attracting customers, motivating employees, and not least to sense pride in contributing to a better world. Steningevik has recently invested in a geo thermal heating system, and has due to that reduced the climate emissions with 25 percent and reduced their running costs markedly.

To estimate ones climate emissions and how to compensate for these creates ideas on how to lower the negative effects on the environment. It also creates ideas on how to work on an even wider scale about sustainability. During the past year, a co-operation was initiated in Sigtuna, where companies, the municipality and the Stockholm Arlanda Airport –situated in the municipality, work together.

Sigtuna –Sweden’s fourth biggest hotel destination –is not only increasing in the number of overnight stays, but also more companies chose to establish themselves here. In the spring of 2012, Clarion will open a new hotel by the airport.

“Since we are establishing ourselves here, we would like to become an active partner in Sigtuna and together with others create possibilities for good developments”, says Johan Svensson, CEO for Clarion Hotel Arlanda. “To combine profitability and sustainability is not only possible but actually a prerequisite for every responsible company”, finishes Johan Svensson.

Facts about the Travel and Meeting industry in Sigtuna:

With more than 500.000 overnight stays per year, Sigtuna is Sweden's fourth largest hotel destination in terms of hotel nights.

The travel industry has a yearly turnover of about 2 billion SEK and employs about 1500 persons every year, excluding Stockholm Arlanda Airport. This is more than the turnover in many Swedish counties. The travel trade, including Stockholm Arlanda Airport, reaches approximately 24 billion SEK.

Participating hotels in the Sigtuna climate neutral destination project:                                                    

1909 Sigtuna Stads Hotell, 32 Rum & Kök, Arlanda Airport Conference, Arlanda Hotellby, Clarion Hotel Arlanda, Ibis Hotel Arlanda, Hotell Kristina, Radisson Blu Arlandia Hotel, Radisson Blu SkyCity Hotel, Sigtunahöjden Hotell & Konferens, Sigtunastiftelsen Hotell & Konferens, Steningevik Konferens, Stora Brännbo Konferens and Hotell, Stockholm Arlanda Airport an d Destination Sigtuna.

Art projects get the trees to speak during the Tällberg Forum

Between 29 June and 3 July hosts Sigtuna of Tallberg Forum, an international meeting where delegates from around the world gather to discuss future issues. Several seminars and workshops take place at the Sigtuna Foundation. As a backdrop to the Tallberg Forum's theme How can we agree to agree participate Sigtuna Foundation Art Project Imagine trees.

-  The Sigtuna Foundation, as well as the Tallberg Forum, characterized by the awareness that we need several different languages if we want to deepen our understanding of various issues. Artistic expression, with the living tree in the center, creates a room for hope and reflection that complements seminars and workshops, says Alf Linderman executive director at Sigtuna Foundation.

The Art Project was inspired by Yoko Ono's Imagine Peace Exhibition, where the fundamental idea is a Wish Tree. Everyone who passes the Sigtuna Foundation: Tallberg Forum's delegates, Sigtuna locals and public in general are invited to come up with a wish or a prayer, write it down on a piece of paper and attach it to a tree, a kind of collective hope for a better future and world.
All requests will then be sent to the Imagine Peace Tower in Iceland, which in turn makes art project a part of a global movement.

The project Imagine trees include several artistic expressions at the Sigtuna Foundation during the Tallberg Forum. Silhouettes of tree huggers in actual size embraces Sigtuna Foundation's apple trees and pines, the local textile artist Tina Caléns felted flowers adorn acacia trees outside the Sigtuna Foundation Refuge and in the Rose Garden Hall is the Ira Löfman art exhibit Moments of Presence with trees as clear theme.

In connection with the Tallberg Forum will also an exhibition of Barbro Fagerlind be displayed at Sigtuna Foundation's chapel. Barbro Fagerlind works with religious items made of recycled cans called Re: Art.
Barbro Fagerlind holds a workshop at the Sigtuna Foundation with the theme "People's Home Altar" on July 2 as part of the Tallberg Forum's programs An evening for the future.

Sigtuna welcomes Tällberg Forum 2011

The Tällberg Forum 2011 will take place on 29 June – 3 July 2011 in Sigtuna, Sweden, returning to the question “How on earth can we live together?”
It will gather leaders and thinkers for a four-day conversation on the converging crises we face.
The Tällberg Forum gathers around 400 delegates from all over the world.

Confirmed delegates to Tällberg Forum 2011 i Sigtuna :
Yvo De Boer, former Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC and Special Advisor at the KMPG,  Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the UNEP, Christine Loh, Civic Exchange Hong Kong, Peter Norman, Sweden's Minister for Financial Markets, Prof. Johan Rockström, Executive Director of the Stockholm Environment Institute, Prof. Dennis J. Snower, President of the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Shlomo Ben-Ami, former Foreign Minister of Israel, Jacqueline McGlade, Executive Director of the European Environment Agency, Birgitta Ohlsson, Sweden's Minister for EU Affairs, Prof. Hans Rosling, Karolinska institutet and Gapminder Foundation, Carl Bennet, Getinge and Hans-Olov Olsson, Vice Chairman of Volvo Car Corporation.
Chairman of the Board,



Read more about Tällberg Forum 2011.

Sigtuna celebrates Ingegerd Olofsdotter of Sweden on June 4

Sigtuna celebrates Ingegerd – the Swedish princess who became a Russian saint, with her own day, June 4. The daughter of the king Olof Skötkonung, Ingegerd, who grew up in Sigtuna, became a Grand Princess of Kiev in her marriage with of Yaroslav I the Wise of Kiev. The marriage became child rich and five of the sons became Russian Princes and three of the daughters became European queens. She was by her death on February 10 1050, declared as Orthodox saint and is now revered as Anna of Novgorod. A strange destiny in the Swedish history.

On June 4 you have the possibility to enjoy the day of Ingegerd in Sigtuna starting at 11 am at the Main Square in Sigtuna. The day is filled with exciting lectures in Swedish and Russian at “Gröna Ladan”. At Sigtuna Museum you can listen to Russian music, get inspired by an Icon exhibition and even where try to paint your own icon. City tours will be held in Swedish and Russian and finally a Russian-Orthodox Service close the day at 6 pm in the church ruin of St Olof.

Included in the ticket price you can enjoy Russian pirogues and tea in the garden of the Museum.

You are welcome to be inspired!

Ticket price 60 sek (to be purchased at Sigtuna Tourist information or Sigtuna Museum)

Taste of Sigtuna

RC Chocolat has created the exquisite and creative chocolate box, Taste of Sigtuna, with 16 unique pralines inspired by the different parts of Sigtuna.

The Arlanda Selection is inspired by;

The air traffic control tower - Mint and dark chocolate representing the dark and light stripes of the tower.

International diversity - Raspberries and passion fruit. Raspberries for Sweden, passion fruit for faraway lands.

Environmental friendliness -Organic truffles represent Arlanda’s prize winning environmental work.

Tax-free shopping -Cognac liqueur to remind you of Arlanda’s tax-free shops and service.

The Märsta Selection is inspired by;

Steninge Palace -Champagne in honour of Axel von Fersen and Marie Antoinette’s love.

Sweden’s first telegraph pole -Spruce shoot truffles.

Husby school -Carrots that help the children manage their school work.

Midgårdsvallen -Lime representing the classic sports drink.

The Rosersberg Selection is inspired by;

Rosersberg’s Royal Palace -French chocolate caramel in honour of the Bernadottes, Sweden’s royal family.

The Chinese Buddhist Temple -Ginger, representing an everyday Asian spice.

Skånelaholm -Tea flavour, for Linnaeus’ travels to distant lands.

Logistics -Coffee flavour, for the coffee consumed in figuring out the best logistics solution.

The Sigtuna Selection is inspired by;

The first city -Cinnamon and lingonberry for a real taste of medieval times.

The first coin -Minted in Sigtuna, and a mint flavour for you.

Ice Skating -White chocolate truffle celebrates the Viking skating race.

Shopping -Milk chocolate for a warm and welcoming feeling.

For further information, please contact RC Chocolat, info@rcchocolat.se

Steninge Palace Spring Exhibition

Don't miss!
In co-operation with Fotografiska Museet, Steninge Shops & Events in Märsta exhibits the work of Stockholm based photographer Jacob Felländer, side by side shown with some up and coming Swedish artists. When? From now and until April 3.

Artists:
Fotografiska / Jacob Felländer
Gunilla Lifvergren
Uta Jacobs
Carl Nielsen
Sackarias Luhanko
Jeanette Karsten
Margareta Gelles
BrittMarie Järnström Lindell
Camilla Carlsson
Niclas Engsäll
Otto von Schwerin

http://www.steningeslott.se/

Saturday brunch in Sigtuna

Spring time has already begun at 32 rum & kök in Sigtuna. A delicious brunch is served every Saturday between March 12 and May 21 at noon and 2 pm.

The price?

250 SEK. Children under 12 years: 10 SEK for each year of age. 

Please enjoy!  

http://www.32rok.se/

Ph: + 46 (0)8-592 566 95

Weddings at Stockholm-Arlanda Airport popular

The air traffic control tower, VIP Service, the chapel – or why not a real jumbo jet? Some 450 couples chose Stockholm-Arlanda as the setting for their wedding last year. Same-sex weddings were an option for the first time in 2010.

It is popular for people to give their honeymoon precedence at Stockholm-Arlanda Airport. In 2010, nearly 450 couples opted to get married at the airport in connection with a trip.
“For couples that want to give priority to their honeymoon, a wedding at the airport right next to where their flight departs is a good solution,” says Anders Bredfell, press relations manager at Swedavia Arlanda.
The majority of couples at Stockholm-Arlanda chose a church wedding.
“Of the 261 couples that were married in a church ceremony, 200 couples chose to wed in the airport chapel. An important new development last year was the option of same-sex weddings. We had five same-sex weddings under the auspices of the Church of Sweden at Stockholm-Arlanda in the past year,” says Anders Berglund, an airport minister at Stockholm-Arlanda.
Some 25 couples chose to get married 74 metres up in the air, on the air control tower’s visitors balcony, with a view of the entire airport. Tower weddings are part of Arlanda VIP Services’ range of wedding options and include full service – check-in, the couple’s own lounge with catering and champagne and then transport straight to the waiting aircraft.  
A new addition for 2011 is the perfect wedding gift for couples who are already married and heading off on their honeymoon trip – they start the honeymoon at Stockholm-Arlanda with exclusive VIP service.
Jumbo Stay, the only hotel in the world that is an actual jumbo jet, also offers weddings at the airport. 
Take the opportunity and join the contest for an exclusive wedding package here at arlanda.se. Win a trip around the world and VIP service! The contest runs from Friday, January 28, 2011, to Sunday, February 20, 2011.

Facts about weddings at Stockholm-Arlanda:

Weddings may only take place in conjunction with a flight to/from Stockholm-Arlanda Airport. The airport offers both church ceremonies with a minister and civil ceremonies with a government official.

A church ceremony in the chapel is free of charge. No other services are included. At least one of the two people marrying must belong to the Church of Sweden.

Weddings through Arlanda VIP Service start at SEK 7,500

Record number of visitors at Sweden’s largest tourist information centre

Last year, 1.4 million travellers visited the Arlanda Visitor Center in Terminal 5 at Stockholm-Arlanda, which is an increase of 60 per cent compared to 2009. As a result, the airport is the most frequently visited tourist information centre in Sweden.

“The target for 2010 was to get one million visitors. The 60 per cent increase, to 1.4 million, is better than we dared hope. More people have discovered the Arlanda Visitor Center – we are becoming more widely known among travellers. Our collaboration with the tourism industry in the region has clearly helped,” says Gunnar Salomonsson, Head of Swedavia Passenger Services at Stockholm-Arlanda Airport.
Overall, Stockholm-Arlanda had 17 million passengers in 2010, an increase of six per cent compared to 2009. Those visiting Arlanda Visitor Center represent a cross-section of travellers at the airport.
“During the summer and on weekends, most visitors are tourists visiting Stockholm. On weekdays, it is business travellers. Many people also take the opportunity to visit the centre at night, when it is open but unstaffed. The most frequently asked question? How do I get to Stockholm?” Mr Salomonsson says.
The concept of a combined tourist/airport information centre has inspired other airports to start up similar operations. The Malmö Airport Visitor Center recently opened at Malmö Airport.

About the Arlanda Visitor Center

The Arlanda Visitor Center is operated as a collaboration between Swedavia, the Stockholm Visitors Board and Sigtuna Turism. In addition to airport and tourist information, the centre also sells tickets for Arlanda Express, the high-speed to Stockholm; Flygbussarna airport coaches; SL, Stockholm Public Transport; and bus service for Upplands lokaltrafik and Swebus. Tickets are also sold here for boat rides with Strömma Kanalbolaget. The Arlanda Visitor Center also provides a wide range of tourist brochures.
Terminal 2 has an Arlanda Visitor Center in a smaller format which offers the same range of products.