Sweden’s climate goals are divided into different stages – the next milestone is the year 2030. In a new document to the government, the Environmental Protection Agency assesses that it will be difficult to reach the goal if the reduction obligation is lowered, which the government has announced it intends to do.
Decisive, however, is how much it is lowered and for how long, the work emphasizes.
– If you lower it to zero, we will not reach any of the 2030 targets, says Stefan Nyström, head of the Environmental Protection Agency’s climate department, at a seminar.
In short, the reduction obligation means that biofuels are mixed with petrol and diesel. The model has received criticism but has also been highlighted by the Climate Policy Council and now the Environmental Protection Agency as crucial for Sweden to reduce its emissions.
Optimistic about 2045
While the 2030 goal is in the danger zone, Sweden’s chances of reaching the next stage goal have improved. Emissions are estimated to decrease by 70 percent by 2045, compared to how large they were in 1990.
Particularly important for reaching the goals are electrification of the transport sector, increased carbon sinks (for example forests and wetlands), carbon dioxide storage and efforts in industry.
Previously pointed out carbon dioxide storage
The climate goals are territorial – so it only concerns the emissions that occur within Sweden’s borders. Thus, for example, home electronics, clothing and other consumer goods are not included in the statistics as long as they are manufactured abroad.
The report shall form the basis for the government’s climate policy action plan, which is updated every four years. In the report from 2019, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency emphasized the need to change the transport system, reduce industrial emissions and create the conditions for carbon dioxide storage.