By 2045, Sweden will have net-zero emissions. The technology needed to get there is well known and the cost is often marginal at the consumer level. Still, the transition is far too slow. On 3 January, the research program Mistra Carbon Exit released a report with important lessons that need to be considered if we are to accelerate climate action and ensure that change reaches all parts of society. - The decisions and measures taken during this decade will be of crucial importance if Sweden is to have a chance of achieving net zero emissions by 2045. The whole society needs to be involved in the adjustment work, in all sectors and at all levels, including companies, municipalities and consumers, says Filip Johnsson, Vice Program Director for Mistra Carbon Exit and Professor at Chalmers University of Technology.
Shows way for Sweden's climate transition
Chalmers University of Technology
The report Accelerating the Climate Transition - Mistra Carbon Exit Key Messages, describes how Sweden can achieve the goal of net zero emissions by 2045, from technical possibilities and challenges to how behaviors, regulation and policy instruments affect the transition.
- We know what technology is needed for Sweden to reach net zero emissions by 2045. We also see that the costs of taking away emissions can be high at the producer level, but in the consumer level in most cases marginal. The challenge lies above all in the fact that it is still too cheap to emit carbon dioxide, says Lars Zetterberg, Program Director for Mistra Carbon Exit and researcher at IVL Swedish Environmental Institute.
The report also addresses how climate change risks having a negative impact on other sustainability goals, such as biodiversity and job opportunities.
- Some jobs may disappear, and it can affect different sparsely populated areas and urban areas. But the change will also mean several opportunities, such as improved air quality and the creation of new jobs, which is already noticeable in northern Sweden with investments in battery factories and low-carbon steel, says Lars Zetterberg.
The report provides examples of several advances in climate work. The costs for wind and solar power have fallen dramatically, sales of electric vehicles are increasing faster than expected and the willingness to participate in the conversion is great, both among companies and citizens.
- There is no lack of will to innovate and initiative. But if we are to be able to reduce emissions quickly enough to achieve the climate goals, the work must accelerate further, says Filip Johnsson, Deputy Program Manager for Mistra Carbon Exit and Professor at Chalmers University of Technology.
- The decisions and measures taken during this decade will be of crucial importance if Sweden is to have a chance of achieving net zero emissions by 2045. The whole society needs to be involved in the change process, in all sectors and at all levels, including companies, municipalities and consumers, says Filip Johnsson.
Download the report: Accelerating the Climate Transition - Key Messages from Mistra Carbon Exit Pdf, 6 MB.
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