Sweden Not Doing Enough To Meet Net-zero Targets: Study March 23, 2025

Last year, the Swedish government lowered the reduction obligation for fossil fuels from 30.5% for diesel and 7.8% for petrol to a low 6%, effectively reducing the reduction obligation from the EU's highest level to the EU's minimum. [Shutterstock/Sebw]

By AFP - Agence France Presse

Sweden Not Doing Enough To Meet Net-zero Targets: Study

Sweden's government must take measures in its transport sector this year to lower greenhouse gas emissions and meet its 2030 targets, an agency responsible for evaluating climate policy said Thursday.

Emissions increased by 6.4 percent in the third quarter of 2024 compared with the same period the previous year, according to the Swedish Statistics Office (SCB).

The increase, which it called a "one-off", was largely down to deliveries of fossil fuels, particularly diesel, to the country.

"The average global temperature rose 1.5 degrees (Celsius) above the pre-industrial average for the first time last year," said Asa Persson, chair of the Swedish Climate Policy Council.

"And in Sweden, emissions increased due to political decisions," she added as she presented her report in Stockholm.

One of the reasons was fuel tax relief, which was approved in September 2023 in the government budget backed by the far-right Sweden Democrats (SD) party.

Persson said the trend needs to be reversed.

Adjusting the so-called "reduction mandate" would have a short-term effect, she added. This requires fuel suppliers to mix a certain percentage of biofuels or other low-carbon alternatives into their product to reduce emissions.

Adjusting taxes on gasoline and diesel would also help, she added.

Persson conceded that would lead to higher prices but added: "That's why we also suggest combining this measure with redistribution actions to support the most vulnerable groups, who have difficulty adopting alternatives to gasoline and diesel."

Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari told the daily DN newspaper that she was not inclined to follow the recommendation.

"No, the government will continue with the existing plan," she said, meaning a slight increase in the "reduction mandate" but less than recommended by the agency.

Sweden has set a goal of 2045 to achieve net-zero carbon emissions -- five years before the European Union -- but the agency said the government still needed to strengthen its climate policy on several fronts.

That includes adopting a package of measures for fossil-free transport, conducting an impact study on the various paths towards fossil-free electrification, and continuing support of the industrial sector in the energy transition.

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