Sweden highlighted renewable energy and fossil-free transportation in ASEAN Smart Cities Summit

Photo: Sweden Embassy in Hanoi.

On 22 October 2020 the Embassy of Sweden in Hanoi participated in the highly topical ASEAN smart cities summit. The Swedish Trade Commissioner Mr Bjorn Savlid shared how Sweden works with transforming transportation to electric and sustainable mobility in the session “ Smart Transportation in the Urbanization and Urban development strategy”. Sweden embassy’s Trade, Economics and Education Adviser Ms Dang Phuong Lan joined the panel discussion that said:

Sweden embassy’s Trade, Economics and Education Adviser Ms Dang Phuong Lan. Photo Sweden Embassy in Hanoi

Sweden and Vietnam have over 1,500 kilometers between the north point and the south point and is highly dependent on transportation. Sweden has always been ranked as a top country when it comes to both environmental protection and sustainability. As of January 2018, Sweden’s ambitious new climate change legislation entered into force, setting out a framework for the country to become a net zero greenhouse emitter by 2045 at the latest.

To become a net zero greenhouse emitter, today’s solutions for moving goods and people have to change. New technology, methods and ways of doing business are urgently needed. Electrifying roads, automation, and moving from owning cars to buying transport services are examples of new solutions.
By identifying opportunities and welcoming change, transforming transportation the Swedish way has begun and it’s an open road.
Sweden has a government that promotes sustainable growth, an academia and industry at the forefront of technology, and progressive and curious citizens. The ideas, products and technologies to make change happen are already in place. What is needed is adaptive regulations that ensure that the future of mobility is sustainable, safe, efficient and attractive.

Photo: Sweden Embassy in Hanoi.

Sweden’s solution to reduce emission from the transport system is to invest in renewable energy and fossil-free transportation. But to be a fossil-free country requires more than renewable energy sources and fuels. It calls for a technology shift, a new regulatory framework, and above all – a total shift in people’s mindset when it comes to mobility. This means driverless vehicles, consumption change by accessing mobility as a service rather than a product and both citizens and businesses will have to be highly involved in new shared economies.

Sweden and Swedish companies increasingly partner with Vietnamese cities and companies to exchange experience and to bring smart transport solutions to the Vietnamese people

About Zazithorn Ruengchinda

ScandAsia Journalist • Scandinavian Publishing Co., Ltd. • Bangkok Thailand

View all posts by Zazithorn Ruengchinda

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