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This chapter of the 'Same same but different' series by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the disparities in mobility and spatial justice in Tallinn and Bangkok, contrasting the experiences of different urban users and the impact of infrastructure and technology on accessibility.

This research paper by the Stockholm Environment Institute evaluates two tactical urbanism interventions in Tallinn, Estonia, conducted as part of the 'Rohejälg' project in 2023. The study analyzes the impact of a temporary park at Raekoja plats (Town Hall Square) and spatial interventions in the area between Linnahall and the cruise terminal on user behavior, spatial perception, and local businesses.

This 2023 report by the Stockholm Environment Institute, conducted by the Estonian Academy of Arts and partners, explores practical solutions for recycling textile waste in Estonia. It maps textile waste volumes, tests mechanical recycling processes, and develops new materials (yarns and non-woven composites) and products (knitwear and small furniture) to support a circular textile system.

This report, commissioned by the British Embassy in Tallinn, evaluates Estonia's progress toward climate neutrality by 2050, building on a 2019 SEI study. While total greenhouse gas emissions fell from 18,687.4 kt CO2e in 2018 to 11,555.8 kt CO2e in 2020, the report identifies significant gaps in the energy, buildings, industry, LULUCF, transport, and agriculture sectors. Key challenges include a lack of incentives for non-residential building renovations, lagging wind energy investment, and the LULUCF sector transitioning from a carbon sink to an emitting sector in 2020.

This research paper explores the multi-dimensional challenges and pathways toward achieving sustainable urban development. It examines the historical evolution of global urban policy, the disparate needs between the Global North and Global South, the role of various governmental and non-governmental actors, and emerging trends such as nature-based solutions and inclusive planning.

This report analyzes the generation and management of bio-waste (kitchen, canteen, garden, and green waste) and textile waste in Tallinn. It evaluates current collection systems, provides forecasts through 2026, and proposes measures to increase recycling rates to meet EU and national targets.

This report analyzes the environmental promises made by political parties in their election platforms for the 2021 Estonian local government council elections. It focuses on national platforms as well as specific programs for Tallinn and Tartu, comparing them to the 2017 elections and assessing their alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the European Green Capital (EGC) criteria.

A 2021 survey of 1,269 residents in Helsinki and Tallinn reveals a strong preference for urban nature that reduces pollution and provides animal habitats, with trees being the most desired natural element. While residents value green spaces for relaxation and health, they express concerns over antisocial behavior and the loss of 'wild' nature to urban development. The report highlights a gap in participatory planning, with residents favoring 3D/VR tools and direct engagement with planners over peer interaction. Specific area analysis shows high usage of nature-rich zones like Mustikkamaa in Helsinki and Merimetsa in Tallinn for recreation and commuting.

This report presents the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for the Transport and Mobility Development Plan 2021-2035 (TLAK) in Estonia. The assessment evaluates how the plan's strategic goals—focused on reducing the environmental footprint of transport and improving mobility—align with national and international environmental targets and identifies potential environmental impacts across various sectors, including climate, air quality, and biodiversity.

The 'HANDBOOK for Developing Urban Eco-Islands with Smart Solutions' is a guide published by the Stockholm Environment Institute in 2021. It provides a strategic framework for the integrated development of small islands located near urban areas, aiming to transform them into sustainable tourism destinations. The handbook details a 'Smart and Sustainable Island Development Model' that balances environmental, economic, social, and cultural dimensions, and advocates for the use of digital technology and citizen science to monitor ecosystems and manage visitor flows.

This guide, published by the Stockholm Environment Institute in 2021, provides a framework for the integrated development of small islands near cities into 'eco-islands'—sustainable tourism destinations. Based on projects on Aegna and Vasikkasaari, it outlines a strategic planning process involving visioning, sustainability assessment, and the implementation of 'smart solutions' such as digital monitoring and citizen science to balance tourism with environmental preservation.

This report by the Stockholm Environment Institute analyzes the implementation of Green Public Procurement (GPP) in Tallinn, Estonia. It evaluates the current state of procurement within city agencies, identifies systemic barriers—such as lack of time and expertise—and compares Tallinn's approach with other Nordic and Dutch cities. The document concludes with a four-stage strategic roadmap to increase the prevalence of environmental criteria in city contracts.

This report presents the results of a country-wide sorting study conducted in Estonia between 2019 and 2020. It analyzes the composition and quantities of mixed municipal waste, separately collected paper and packaging waste, and Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE). The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of waste collection systems and provide a basis for future waste management planning.

This report compares seven European Green Capital (EGC) winners from 2015-2021 (Bristol, Ljubljana, Essen, Nijmegen, Oslo, Lisbon, and Lahti) with Tallinn across 12 environmental domains. It identifies 'threshold activities'—such as having implemented strategic climate documents and pursuing carbon neutrality by 2050—that are essential for EGC candidacy. While Tallinn performs well in air quality and green space, it lags behind winners in CO2 emissions per capita, waste landfilling rates, and the formal adoption of key strategic plans.

This document is a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) program for the 'Transport and Mobility Development Plan 2021-2030' in Estonia. It outlines the methodology, scope, and timeline for assessing the environmental impacts of the upcoming national transport strategy, which is managed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications.

This report documents the results of a policy dialogue held on 28 March 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand, focusing on the bioeconomy for sustainable development. The dialogue is part of a broader project supported by Vinnova to facilitate constructive discussions on bioeconomy development in national and regional contexts, specifically aiming to guide decision-makers toward cohesive governance of bioeconomy pathways with a focus on the Global South.

This report summarizes a 2019 policy dialogue in Tallinn, Estonia, focused on establishing a sustainable bioeconomy in the Baltic Sea region by 2050. Key findings highlight energy as the primary driving sector and identify five essential enabling factors: clear policy goals, innovation support, demand generation, cross-sector cooperation, and circularity. The report also notes regional differences in policy implementation, with Estonia and Latvia using national strategies while Poland and Lithuania use sectoral policies. Finally, it reflects on the pilot methodology, suggesting that future workshops should use more tailored visions and group participants by economic sector rather than organization type.

This report analyzes the technical and economic feasibility of Estonia reaching climate neutrality (net-zero greenhouse gas emissions) by 2050. It identifies a suite of measures across energy, transport, industry, agriculture, and land use (LULUCF) to move from the current -80% reduction target to -100%. The analysis concludes that this goal is technically possible and potentially profitable in the long term, though it requires a significant acceleration of investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy.

This research paper examines the risks and opportunities of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) in delivering sustainable infrastructure. It analyzes high-profile failures, such as the collapse of Carillion in the UK, and critiques current policy approaches in the US and developing nations, arguing that PPPs often fail when used primarily to keep debt off public balance sheets rather than to optimize value for money.

This report analyzes the environmental promises made in the election platforms of seven political parties and two electoral alliances for the 2017 Estonian local government elections, specifically focusing on Tallinn, Tartu, and national-level platforms. The analysis evaluates these promises against the European Green Capital (EGC) criteria and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).