Sweden’s climate targets

Climate targets

Long-term target

By 2045 at the latest, Sweden is to have zero net greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. To achieve this, it has been decided that greenhouse gas emissions* from Sweden must be at least 85 percent lower in 2045 than they were in 1990. We can achieve the remaining 15 percent through other measures, for example by:

• Increasing carbon dioxide uptake by forests and soil, for example by planting trees on disused agricultural land or restoring old peatlands that have been drained.
• Capturing and storing carbon dioxide produced when biofuels are burnt.
• Contributing to reduced emissions in other countries.

After 2045, emissions are to be negative – that is, we will sequester or capture more greenhouse gases from the atmosphere than we emit.

*The long-term target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions does not include emissions from land use, land-use change or forestry.

Interim targets

• By 2030 at the latest – emissions should be 63 percent lower than 1990 levels.
• By 2040 at the latest – emissions should be 75 percent lower than 1990 levels.

Greenhouse gas emissions covered by the EU Emissions Trading Scheme are not included in the interim targets.

Interim targets for domestic transport

Sweden has a specific interim target for domestic transport (domestic air travel is not included). These emissions are to be reduced by at least 70 percent by 2030 compared with 2010.

Sweden’s climate targets within the EU

In addition to our own national climate targets, Sweden is to contribute to the EU’s climate targets. The EU’s target is to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. All EU member states have their own climate targets.

• By 2030, Sweden is to have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent compared with 2005 levels. This applies to sectors not covered by the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), such as transport, housing and agriculture.
• Sweden is to increase carbon dioxide uptake in forests and soil, for example by leaving forests to stand for longer before they are felled.

The Climate Act

The Climate Act came into force on 1 January 2018. In brief, it entails the following:

• The Government’s policies must be based on the climate targets.
• The Government must present a climate report each year as part of the Budget Bill.
• Every four years, the Government must draw up a climate policy action plan. This must set out how the climate targets are to be achieved through existing policies and what needs to be done if the targets do not appear to be achievable.

The Climate Policy Council

The Climate Policy Council is tasked with providing an independent assessment of how the Government’s policies align with the climate targets. The Council comprises experts in the fields of the environment, environmental policy, economics, social sciences and behavioural sciences.

Each year, the Council must submit a report on the progress of climate action, including an assessment of whether the climate targets can be achieved under the Government’s current policies.

The Climate Policy Council has its own website.