Thesis Cluster for Sustainable Transition

The loss of biodiversity is an urgent societal challenge that threatens ecosystem stability, human health and well-being, food security, and the conditions for a sustainable transition. In West Sweden, you find diverse natural environments, from marine ecosystems in seas and lakes to forests, agricultural landscapes, and urban green spaces. Large natural and cultural values coexist here with economic opportunities.

Climate change is a major driver of negative developments, while increased biodiversity would help us adapt to and manage the changes that are occurring. Our land, lakes, and seas are limited in area and must support a large-scale energy transition, sustainable agriculture, nature experiences, and biodiversity regeneration. How we choose to use them will be decisive for sustainable transition.

This cluster will examine: 

How can we create better incentives, knowledge, and collaboration so that more actors in West Sweden value and strengthen biodiversity?

Questions concerning land use, energy production, the role of schools, social engagement, and local natural values are central. There is also a need for new methods to value and measure biodiversity, to evaluate current efforts, to influence knowledge and behavior, and to increase understanding of how different societal sectors can and want to contribute.

Examples of sub-challenges within this theme:

• What new methods and knowledge bases can be used to raise awareness of biodiversity among different groups such as decision-makers, business leaders, and citizens?
• How can we measure, value, and consider different aspects of biodiversity such as species richness, genetic variation within species, and ecosystem diversity?
• How can schools and civil society strengthen young people’s engagement and understanding of biodiversity? What does current work look like?
• What consequences does the energy transition have for biodiversity on land and at sea?
• How is biodiversity affected in urban areas, e.g., by light pollution? How can we counteract the problems?
• How does local food production affect soil biodiversity, and how can it be improved?
• How can work with biodiversity be aligned with other sustainability goals at policy and governance levels?

External stakeholders:

• The City of Trollhättan (Municipal Executive Office)
• Västra Götaland Region (Regional Development and Agricultural Management)
• County Administrative Board (Environmental Department)
• Gröna Klustret

The green transition of the energy system is a crucial part of Sweden’s climate action – a transition filled with questions about justice, resource distribution, and social acceptance. This is particularly relevant in West Sweden, where urban and rural perspectives meet. The transition raises conflicts of interest and highlights both new and old tensions between geographies, ideological standpoints, pragmatism, national goals, and local conditions. Questions about cost and benefit distribution, compensation models, and resistance are central to securing long-term sustainability. At the same time, there is significant potential for innovation, both in technology and working methods.

Energy planning must be integrated into physical planning at municipal and regional levels, and new energy solutions – such as offshore wind power or small-scale plants – must be designed with consideration for resilience, biodiversity, local industries, and needs. The EU’s Green Deal and Sweden’s national goals create opportunities but also demands for coordination and strategic choices for a wide range of actors in West Sweden.

This cluster will examine: 

How can we strengthen support for expanding local and sustainable energy supply in West Sweden?

The challenge encompasses technical, economic, social, and cultural dimensions. It raises questions about how innovative methods can contribute to constructive dialogues, acceptance, and understanding, how children and young people can be motivated to engage in the transition long-term, and how urban-rural relations affect the conditions for energy transition. It requires holistic perspectives, regionally adapted solutions, local anchoring, and deeper understanding of the values and conflicts of interest influencing energy transition in West Sweden.

Examples of sub-challenges within this theme:

• What socioeconomic consequences/effects would expanding local energy solutions have in West Sweden?
• What compensation mechanisms could increase support for local energy solutions?
• How can we better understand and counter resistance (ideological, financial, cultural) to expanding local and sustainable energy supply?
• How can we better understand the polarization between urban and rural areas related to energy supply issues?
• What is the current state of knowledge among different groups in society? How can we increase understanding of the need for sustainable energy supply?
• How can we motivate young people to want to contribute to a sustainable energy transition?
• How are municipalities in West Sweden addressing the issue of sustainable energy supply?
• How can we promote both energy supply and biodiversity/resilience in West Sweden?

External stakeholders:

• Innovatum Science Park (Energikontor Väst)
• County Administrative Board (Environmental Department)
• Agroväst

Segregation and social inequality are major barriers to a sustainable and cohesive society. In West Sweden, socioeconomic differences affect people’s living conditions, future outlook, and opportunities for participation. Children and young people in vulnerable areas often experience lower hope for the future, which affects health, educational choices, and civic engagement. The risk is that large groups miss out on the opportunity to actively participate in shaping the future labor market and society.

At the same time, social sustainability must be understood in relation to ecological and economic sustainability. How social inclusion can contribute to climate transition, and vice versa, is a growing question. Reducing segregation is therefore not just a social challenge but a prerequisite for sustainable development across society.

This cluster will examine: 

How can we work to reduce segregation in West Sweden, while at the same time promoting more or all dimensions of sustainable development?

Meeting these challenges requires coordination and cross-sectoral efforts throughout West Sweden. Collaboration between the public sector, civil society, business, and academia must be organized to ensure long-term results. Lack of coordination risks wasting resources and undermining trust in society. Leisure and cultural activities, such as sports and associations, play an important role in inclusion but currently do not reach everyone. There is a need to develop more pathways to participation and engagement across society.

Examples of sub-challenges within this theme:

• How can cross-sector collaboration between the public sector, civil society, business, and academia be organized and optimized to reduce segregation and promote inclusion sustainably?
• How can work on reducing segregation contribute to increased inclusion and improved public health?
• How can we strengthen hope for the future among people living in socioeconomic vulnerability?
• What infrastructural changes and developments can help reduce segregation in cities?
• How can civil society include and engage today’s young people to strengthen their voluntary engagement and democratic competence?
• How can we motivate children and young people to pursue education and contribute to sustainable transition?
• How can inclusion of young people and marginalized groups increase trust in municipalities and authorities?

External stakeholders:

• The City of Trollhättan (Municipal Executive Office)
• County Administrative Board (Social Affairs Department)
• RF-SISU Västra Götaland

In an era marked by climate change, volatile geopolitical tensions, and disruptions in global supply chains, strengthening West Sweden’s regional and local preparedness has become increasingly urgent. The region includes densely populated urban areas, coastal and archipelago environments, agricultural landscapes, and extensive forest resources. West Sweden’s coastal location, industrial and innovative strength, and diversified natural resources present both challenges and opportunities.

Building resilience involves both technical solutions for energy supply, increased food security, and natural resource management, as well as maintaining social cohesion, trust, functioning welfare systems, and meaningful living conditions. Social resilience – built through health, safety, culture, and access to basic services – is essential for society to handle crises while driving sustainable transition. This challenge also includes understanding the cultural dimension of preparedness and what we can learn from, for example, food traditions from history and other parts of the world.

This cluster will examine: 

How can we strengthen local and regional resilience and preparedness for crises in West Sweden, while also acting long-term sustainably?

Meeting these challenges requires technical innovation, efficient logistics, long-term planning, and broad collaboration among societal actors. At the same time, existing regulations, siloed structures, and lack of coordination can be obstacles. The geopolitical situation underlines the need for increased self-sufficiency and regional resilience – especially in coastal regions such as West Sweden, where supply and security are closely interlinked.

Examples of sub-challenges within this theme:

• What barriers (e.g., regulations, structures, norms, technology) hinder increased regional resilience to crises?
• What technical opportunities/solutions are needed?
• How can we promote local food production from land and sea in the region?
• How can we build knowledge and long-term perspectives into political processes concerning preparedness?
• How can we build acceptance and knowledge among citizens about civil preparedness and resilience?
• What role does culture play in preparedness?

External stakeholders:

• County Administrative Board (Civil Preparedness Department)
• Rural Sweden / Omställning Kungälv
• Gröna Klustret Nuntorp
• Tjörn Municipality
• Agroväst

Young people play a crucial role in society’s transition to a sustainable future, but many today experience reduced hope for the future, mental health issues, and declining trust in society. In West Sweden, where differences in living conditions between municipalities and districts are clear, there is a growing need to understand how young people’s engagement is formed, changes over time, and can be harnessed in work with climate, energy, democracy, and social sustainability.

Future outlook, health, and motivation are closely linked to education, participation, and the sense of being able to make a difference. At the same time, interest is declining in certain educational fields, such as STEM, which risks weakening future competence supply in key sectors like energy and technology. Civil society, schools, business, and the public sector all have a role to play in creating inclusive arenas where young people feel heard, represented, and needed.

This cluster will examine: 

What do young people need in order to believe in, and contribute to, the transition toward a more sustainable society in a broad sense?

The challenge also involves understanding where young people gather, what motivates them, and how different forms of engagement – from associations, political activity, and future professions – can be supported and linked to our shared transition. Building a resilient and democratic society in West Sweden requires that young people’s voices are heard and that their hope and engagement, both private and professional, are integrated into the transition.

Examples of entry points:

• What do young people themselves say is important for them to feel motivated and hopeful?
• How can we motivate children and young people to pursue education in order to work with sustainable and green transition in the future?
• Why is young people’s interest in STEM decreasing? What are the consequences for society?
• How can we increase trust among marginalized young people towards municipalities and authorities? Why is there a lack of trust today?
• How are different sectors working to harness young people’s engagement (e.g., politics, associations, sports, business, and schools)?
• How is the perception of competence changing as society transitions, and how does this affect young people’s future outlook?
• How can associations and sports contribute to young people’s engagement and democratic development?
• How can we ensure that young people are truly listened to? Whose voices have priority in questions related to transition?

External stakeholders:

• Västra Götaland Region (VGR)
• West Sweden Chamber of Commerce
• RF-SISU Västra Götaland
• City of Gothenburg
• The Gothenburg Region (GR)
• Lilla Edet Municipality