On January 1 this year, the reduction obligation was lowered to 6 percent for both diesel and gasoline. A sharp reduction from the level of 30.5 percent that previously prevailed for diesel. The difference for petrol was considerably smaller, down from 7.8 percent. This was one of the Tidö parties’ most important election promises.
The measure was estimated to result in four million tons of increased carbon dioxide emissions and has been met with tough criticism from the opposition and several referral bodies. In addition, it has meant that Sweden was about to miss both the Swedish climate goals and the goals we promised the EU. This means that Sweden is threatened with both fines and withdrawn grants worth billions of kroner.
In this year’s budget negotiations, the Tidö parties have, according to SVT’s sources, agreed to raise the level of the reduction obligation again, from 6 to 10 percent.
A minor restorer, but enough to reduce CO2 emissions by at least half a million tons per year.
Broken election promise
Backing out of the reduction obligation means a broken election promise, above all for the Sweden Democrats and the Christian Democrats, who both had a strong profile on the issue. At the same time, the Tidö parties have jointly promised that Sweden will meet its commitment to the EU regarding reduced emissions. Then the government needs to do something to reduce emissions – and the sooner it is done, the less drastic measures are required.
The Tidö parties plan to simultaneously lower fuel taxes further, the government’s hope is that the price at the pump will not have to rise in this way, despite a higher mix of biofuels.
– The important thing was the effect on the price, not which policy instruments are used, says a source as an explanation for accepting the failed election promise.
Raised next summer
As far as the EU’s climate goals are concerned, the alternative is to increase the forest’s absorption of carbon dioxide to an even greater degree, which would require extensive measures, in plain terms reduced felling – which none of the Tidö parties want to propose.
The government decided last year that the reduced reduction obligation would apply for the entire mandate period. At the same time, the previously planned increased levels for 2027-2030 were abolished. The levels will now be raised already next year – but according to SVT’s sources, the change will be introduced at the turn of the year, on 1 July 2025.
SVT has applied for climate minister Romina Pourmokhtari (L).