This essay investigates the statements of Växjö municipality’s motives for some of its many environmental projects. The aim of the essay is to be theory-testing as to see how a municipality/city which promotes itself as being “green” motivates its efforts in the environmental area. Växjö city promotes itself as “The greenest city in Europe”, an award appointed to the city by BBC and other international media. Statements of motives found within official protocols and documents as well as given in own conducted interviews are analyzed by means of an idea analysis with ideal-types based on two theoretical points; historical institutionalism and rational choice. Conclusions are made concerning Växjö’s statements of motives and how they vary depending on whether they are found in documents or spoken by municipality representatives.