It is possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by both 25 and 30 per cent by 2020, with limited effects on the Swedish economy. The climate target can be attained through reduced emissions in Sweden, a lower allocation of emission allowances to companies in the EU trading scheme and government support for projects that reduce emissions, principally in developing countries. These are the conclusions drawn by the Swedish Energy Agency and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency in their material for the Government's 2008 checkpoint on Sweden's climate strategy.
Swedish greenhouse gas emissions are expected to have fallen by four per cent in 2010 in comparison with the base year of 1990. This means that Sweden looks like reaching its short-term climate target of minus four per cent for the period 2008-2012.
The Swedish EPA and the Swedish Energy Agency propose a future climate strategy consisting of three elements, which together signify that by 2020 emissions can decrease by 25-30 per cent in comparison with 1990. This means that emissions must decrease annually by around 17-20 million tonnes of greenhouse gases (calculated as carbon dioxide equivalents).
One element of the climate strategy is to reduce expected emissions in Sweden. The government agencies consider that Sweden should take a lead in the EU in tightening common rules in the area of transport, for instance. A number of measures are also proposed that can reduce emissions by 4-6 million tonnes, for instance increasing the tax on petrol and diesel by 0,75 SEK per litre and then in line with growth in GDP, increasing the carbon dioxide differentiation of vehicle tax and basing the benefit value of company cars on carbon dioxide.
“There is a need for powerful instruments to reduce emissions in the transport sector,” says Lars-Erik Liljelund, Director-General of the Swedish EPA.
Another element in the strategy is to reduce the allocation of emission allowances to Swedish companies in the EU trading scheme. This can reduce emissions by 6-10 million tonnes in comparison with the expected emissions of Swedish installations in 2020.
“What really counts is the level of the allocation of emission allowances in the EU trading scheme, not whether the decrease in emissions occurs in Swedish or foreign installations,” says Thomas Korsfeldt, Director-General of the Swedish Energy Agency.
The third element in the climate strategy is that Sweden contributes to the work of other countries, principally developing countries, on energy efficiency and conversion to renewable energy. This is addressed in the Kyoto Protocol and could reduce emissions, principally in developing countries, by 2-4 million tonnes a year.
“Support for the conversion of the energy systems of developing countries is a key issue, both in reducing global emissions and in bringing these countries into a climate agreement,” says Korsfeldt.
It is also stated in the proposal for a new climate strategy that Sweden should earmark more resources for international negotiations on a new climate agreement.
“This work should be prioritised as international cooperation is necessary to mitigate global warming,” says Liljelund.
The Swedish EPA and the Swedish Energy Agency have studied on behalf of the Government whether it is possible to reduce emissions by 25 per cent by 2020 in comparison with the base year of 1990. In 2005 emissions had decreased by around seven per cent, but if no measures are taken emissions are expected to increase between now and 2020 and end up only two per cent below the 1990 level. With the emission reductions mentioned above, emissions can be reduced by 25-30 per cent.
For further information, please contact:
Eva Jernbäcker, Project Leader, Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, tel +46 (0)8 698 12 55
Karin Sahlin, Project Leader, Swedish Energy Agency, tel +46 (0)16-544 21 59
Thomas Levander, Head of Policy Analysis Unit, Swedish Energy Agency, tel +46 (0)16-544 20 32
Lars Westermark, Head of Climate Section, Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, tel +46 (0)8 698 11 99
Annelie Nivrén, Press Officer, Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, tel +46 (0)8 698 13 12, +46 (0)70-206 37 27
Lennart Bodén, Press Secretary, Swedish Energy Agency, tel +46 (0)16-544 20 36
