Shows the way for Sweden’s climate change
In 2045, Sweden will have 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 must be taken into account if we are to be able to accelerate climate work and ensure that change reaches all parts of society. – The decisions and measures taken during this decade will be crucial 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, Deputy Program Director for Mistra Carbon Exit and Professor at 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 removing emissions can be high at the producer level, but in the consumer stage in most cases marginal. The challenge is above all 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 adversely affecting other sustainability goals, such as biodiversity and job opportunities.
– Some jobs can disappear and it can affect various 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 for innovation 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, e.g. companies, municipalities and consumers, says Filip Johnsson.