Skåne, Sweden’s southernmost region, is a place of connections — between cities and countryside, between Sweden and continental Europe, and between today’s mobility challenges and tomorrow’s sustainable solutions.
Home to around 1.3 million inhabitants, Skåne links directly to Denmark via the iconic Öresund Bridge, making it one of Sweden’s most urbanised and internationally connected regions. Its landscape combines dynamic urban centres such as Malmö, Lund, Helsingborg, and Kristianstad with smaller towns and rich agricultural areas — a mix that creates both opportunities and complexities for developing sustainable mobility.
Opportunities and Challenges
Compared to Sweden’s northern and inland regions, Skåne’s dense settlement structure, strong innovation capacity, and cross-border cooperation provide favourable conditions for climate-friendly transport. Yet, significant challenges persist: rural car dependency remains high, and overall travel demand continues to grow.
To address these, municipalities across Skåne are working along three main directions that together shape a holistic approach to sustainable mobility.
1. Decarbonising Transport
Many municipalities are making determined progress toward fossil-free operations, focusing on electrification and renewable fuels. Local authorities are transitioning their vehicle fleets to electric and biogas-powered alternatives, while also supporting charging infrastructure and low-emission logistics solutions. These steps mark an important shift toward a cleaner, climate-neutral transport system.
2. Promoting Active and Collective Modes
Encouraging residents to choose sustainable options is a cornerstone of Skåne’s mobility strategy. Investments in cycling infrastructure and public transport make these modes more attractive, reliable, and connected.
Regional initiatives such as “supercycle routes”, improved train and bus networks, and integrated ticketing systems are designed to make everyday travel easier without relying on private cars. Municipalities particularly focus on short-distance commuting, where cycling and collective transport can most effectively replace car trips.
3. Behavioural and Spatial Integration
Recognising that sustainable mobility is not just about infrastructure but also about habits, Skåne’s municipalities combine planning with behavioural change.
Public campaigns, citizen participation, and “nudging” strategies are used to influence travel behaviour and raise awareness about sustainable choices. At the same time, transport and land-use planning are increasingly linked to foster compact, accessible communities that reduce the need for long-distance commuting altogether.
Collaboration Across Borders
One of Skåne’s greatest strengths lies in its collaborative governance model. Cross-border partnerships with Denmark support innovation in areas such as public transport integration and electric mobility. This networked approach enables even smaller municipalities to participate in the transition toward sustainable mobility by sharing expertise, resources, and solutions.
Challenges and Next Steps
Despite impressive progress, Skåne continues to face familiar hurdles. Rural areas remain heavily car-dependent, and behavioural change among commuters takes time. Short-term project funding can hinder continuity, while aligning transport, housing, and climate strategies across different municipalities requires ongoing political coordination.
Nevertheless, Skåne’s approach represents a systemic and collaborative shift toward climate-neutral transport. Through a blend of electrification, active travel infrastructure, and behavioural innovation, the region is gradually reshaping how people move — and how they think about mobility.
By linking research, policy, and practice, and through participation in initiatives like the Mobility Makers project, Skåne demonstrates how coordinated regional action and local engagement can translate sustainability ambitions into everyday mobility practices — steering the wheels of change toward a greener, more connected future.