Mayor Borgen expands Oslo’s reputation as a leading green city

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Marianne Borgen is Oslo’s 67th mayor who has been leading the city since 2015. Mayor Borgen was born in 1951 in Oslo and raised in Groruddalen. As mayor, she is dedicated to making Oslo greener by improving bicycle and public transportation services. At the same time, her goal is to reduce class differences and create good conditions for growing up in Oslo so that all children in the Norwegian capital can feel happy and safe.

Borgen was elected to the Oslo City Council for the first time in 1979 and has been a member continuously since 1995. Children’s rights have always been one of the topics mayor Borgen has dedicated a lot of attention to. Her previous work has focused on the prevention of violence and assault against children, as well as advocating fair treatment of children of asylum seekers and minors who are seeking asylum. 

Through her work in the Norwegian aid organization Save the Children, she has significantly contributed to children’s rights not only in Norway but internationally. The Norwegian Save the Children branch is a member of the international Save the Children International alliance, together with 27 other member organizations. Save the Children was founded in 1948 and is based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

However, mayor Borgen is also very active regarding a whole range of other issues. Environmental policies and making Oslo a more climate-friendly and sustainable city is also one of her priorities. Her outstanding efforts in the area of climate protection were officially recognized in 2019 when the city received the European Green Capital title. This prestigious award is presented each year to a European city that is setting the standard for environmentally friendly urban living.

The flattering title was the result of the city’s long-term efforts in the area of environmental protection. The Norwegian capital has one of the world’s most ambitious climate strategies, in line with the Paris Agreement. It is one of the world leaders in electric mobility, with continuous large investments in public transportation and cycling infrastructure. Furthermore, Oslo is also a pioneer in circular waste management, ensuring that waste is converted into new resources, and the first city to test Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)  from waste incineration.

After winning the award, Oslo advanced its green transition and has lately been making more major steps in this field. Due to the outstanding leadership of mayor Borgen, the Norwegian capital manages to keep its reputation as a green metropolis with excellent environmental solutions, where residents can enjoy a high standard of living. (photo credit: Oslo SV)