The government’s new climate action plan has already been criticized by both the opposition and several organisations.
Climate expert Karin Bäckstrand has reviewed the 245-page long plan.
Here are her conclusions about how it will affect Swedish households – as early as tomorrow.
– It must be remembered that we have an acute climate crisis that affects all countries and that affects us citizens.
On Thursday, a press conference was held where the Swedish climate action plan was presented. According to the government, it is the first realistic plan to reach a net zero emission of greenhouse gases by the year 2045.
Climate and Environment Minister Romina Pourmokhtari believes that it contains about 70 points and measures for emission reduction in all sectors.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson says at the same time that there are two main principles that will guide the work going forward. One is about Sweden being able to implement the plan and at the same time ensure economic growth.
The second principle concerns the Swedish households.
– The transition must take place in a socially sustainable way, both for people’s jobs and their finances, says Kristersson.
The action plan, which was negotiated between the government and the Sweden Democrats, consists of 245 pages where the Swedish households are named more than 50 times.
But Swedes will not feel any direct impact in everyday life, says Karin Bäckstrand, a professor at Stockholm University specializing in climate policy.
– There will be no immediate effects, but it must be remembered that we have an acute climate crisis that affects all countries, poor and rich, and it affects us citizens.
Missing consumer advice Karin Bäckstrand. Photo: Stockholm University
Bäckstrand believes that there is no special climate tax in the new plan, but highlights a concrete point that can make households think twice.
– It is the scrapping premium that is introduced on older cars with internal combustion engines. In the budget for 2024, funds will be allocated and the premium will be conditional on the purchase or leasing of an electric car, so it could be an incentive for citizens to have their combustion car scrapped.
She further notes that the new climate action plan, unlike the one presented in 2019, completely lacks content on sustainable consumption.
– There is mostly talk about enabling electrification, the charging infrastructure and network connection, but there is not much about changing consumption.
“No answers found”
Furthermore, Bäckstrand believes that the plan lacks focus for the short-term goals for the year 2030.
– A mantra throughout the press conference was to create the conditions for net zero emissions in 2045. There were no answers to the short-term goals.
She is also disappointed by the lack of calculations and the action plan’s effect on climate change.
– I have sat in the climate policy council and there we have said several times how important it is to quantify the measures you have. It doesn’t feel like they tried to do this, says Bäckstrand.