Stockholm is located on Sweden's south-central east coast, where Lake Mälaren flows into the Baltic Sea. The city centre is spread across multiple islands and over 30% is formed of waterways. Another 30% of Stockholm is made up of parks and green spaces.

Stockholm was the first city to win the European Green Capital Award. It was successful because of the way it manages climate change, local transport, public green areas, air quality, noise, waste, water consumption, waste water treatment, the sustainable utilisation of land, biodiversity and environmental management.