The first three quarters of 2024, Sweden’s climate emissions increased. This marks a large shift for Sweden, which has reduced emissions to one -third since 1990, while at the same time improves living conditions significantly – the theory of economic growth breakdown by climate impact was implemented here. No more so – but the EU can put Sweden again on the right track.
Abrogated ambitions
Sweden’s ambition to become “the first state of fossilless well -being in the world” was recently abolished, but the most significant climate attitudes. By 2045, Sweden will reach the net impact zero climateTh The anniversary as a member (EU and the Swedish objective are not fully compatible, but ambition leadership is undeniable). By 2030, Sweden will reach a “fossil -free transport sector” which translates into a 70% decrease in the transport sector between 2010 and 2030. All Transport, be careful, not just cars and not just the vehicles that are selling from now on.
The goals were set in 2017 with a vote of parliament of 299 on and only 50 against; Seven parties from left to right agreed and an eighth party – Sweden’s Democrats – since then they joined. The main argument for climate leadership was not so much for future generations, polar bears (contrary to popular belief, not to be found in Sweden) or FLYThe term created by the Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. Was ready IMPORTANT– With only 0.13% of the greenhouse gas emissions in the world, what Sweden really really does if others follow.
Purchase of industry
The other reason for such extensive climate objectives was the purchase of the industry. Main manufacturer Scania sells only 3% of its truck in Sweden, but is the showcase needed to sell the remaining 97%, and others have similar stories. Shortly before the government climate meeting in 2023, businesses reached consensus on the 2030 goal being the most important for competition – other objectives are far from in the future to directly influence many business plans.
With this business acquisition, it will seem clear that the successive Swedish governments would do their best to provide objectives, especially as climate objectives and preceding ambitions have strong support, steadfast by citizens, as evidenced by two- annual from the Environmental Protection Agency.
In 2010, Sweden had the fastest movement in the world away from fossil fuels, and while neighboring Norway, Denmark and Finland did better in terms of new electric cars, bike or bioeconomics, namely, Sweden did best at all Combined things. Trajectors followed the road maps of the Fossil Fossil Fossil Initiative of Sweden 2030, developed for each key sector of the economy and updated when external factors change – which has so far consistently implied an increased rhythm of change.
By 2022, emissions reductions followed mainly the trajectory needed to meet the 2030 and Net Zero 2045 target – Mesh It means that 15% can happen elsewhere as long as Sweden’s legs have the bill and possesses issuance rights, emphasizing the need for an international additional approach.
Politics
Sweden’s emissions are high is politics: the 2022 elections were won with the promise of gasoline and cheaper oil. This was achieved by reducing taxation on fossil fuels and drastically reducing the reduction quota, deciding how many companies that sell fossil fuels should improve their climate performance year a year by mixing in stable renewable.
Had this been the only growing mass of emissions, the reductions could have yet occurred but in 8Th of November 2022, the incentives for the purchase of electric cars were repealed overnight. After that, the market share of EV, which is elsewhere, is in Sweden, and electric cars are already being exported to record numbers. Promotions were also abolished for vehicles powered by biogas from household waste, sewage and fertilizer-an area where Sweden has long been worldwide, but where new car sales are now lowered, reaching 0.0 percent of the market in January 2025.
Sales of new electric cars are sitting in Sweden, while existing EV exports are increasing.
Swedish brands Scania and Volvo both have a full range of electrical trucks, and the government has begun economic incentives to purchase them – but only 6.5% of new trucks were electricity in 2024. The reason? With the cheapest fossil oil in the region, fleet owners struggle to do a business case to go electric.
Just before the 2022 elections, an agreement with seven parties in parliament was resolved, as the climate pact was resolved, addressing financial compensation for professional travel needs-this tool that is unknown to most countries is considered necessary that When Sweden is a long place distance and few people. Historically, she almost exclusively went to the people traveling by car, with much lower compensation for those who go by public transport and absolutely nothing for those biking or walking. This would be addressed, with the same amount, regardless of the chosen mode of transport, but, after installed, the new administration chose to ignore this decision (the government has the right to do so; in official terms no wrongdoing has occurred).
Can’t meet the objectives? Review them
If the objectives are repealed, Sweden cannot meet them. This seems to be the logic of the newly announced review of the Swedish climate objectives, where in particular the 2030 transport objective can be completely reviewed or repealed. At the start of the initiative, Sweden’s Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari emphasized that ambitions should not be reduced, but few seem convinced. In October, the proposal will appear, only for the government to postpone legislation before the Swedish elections in September 2026-kicks if the government really wants to face voters with irrigated climate ambitions.
Meanwhile, the EU has imposed the climate demand that Sweden should adhere to, especially that emissions from transport and agriculture should be reduced by 50 percent between 2005 and 2030. Since the appetite for decreasing food production is limited to Russia’s war in Ukraine at the next door, the goal must essentially be achieved within the transport sector, using measures similar to what was simply repealed.
Keep the money
While national objectives can be reviewed or destroyed, disregard for EU demands means that Sweden or must buy emission rights from other countries overloading – once this seems to be Greece – or pays fines E large EU. Even a few parliamentarians who disagree with the ambitions of Sweden’s climate leadership seem to agree on this: it is better to use the money in the Swedish economy than to send them to Athens or Brussels. With readiness or necessity, Sweden can soon turn on the right track for climate leadership.
Sweden must reduce emissions from the transport sector to meet EU requirements.
Mattias Goldmann
