Sweden listens to Greta’s call to focus on “consumption-based emissions” in the world’s first world
Sweden is on its way to becoming the first country in the world to report on carbon-based emissions.
This will mean that products manufactured abroad will add their carbon dioxide emissions to the country’s total sum.
At present, the decision has only been recommended. Sweden’s export market, international aviation and shipping industries will need to be managed before the country can adopt the measure.
Karin Lexén, Secretary General of the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, describes the country’s proposal as “historic”. But with a lack of international standardization for the calculation process of carbon-based emissions, also known as emissions from abroad, she says the reporting will be complex.
Who came up with the idea of consumption-based emissions?
The latest announcement came from an inter-parliamentary committee, after one number of organizations within Sweden fought for a broader environmental responsibility.
The committee was influenced by one report from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden. In the study, researchers claim that changing consumer behavior is the only way to follow the Paris Agreement, with issues such as buying sustainable technology, adopting a plant-based diet and driving less that are proposed to achieve the goal.
Both education and a discussion about greener alternatives are also believed to be the key.
Why does Sweden want to focus on this type of emission?
In fourth place in the EU in the Eco-Innovation Index, Sweden ranks high for climate action. With a 2045 net-zero targetThe country is a pioneer in carbon taxation.
While other countries are shaping their net zero targets for emissions produced within their own borders, Sweden continues to show determination with its new targets.
Annika Hedberga senior analyst at the European Policy Center, says “goals like this will encourage measurement of the problem and progress towards achieving it”.
By expanding “emission responsibility”, Sweden has accepted the challenge of becoming a world leader in the environmental field. Their actions reveal the countries that underestimate the severity of climate change.
Elisabetta Cornago, a climate expert at the Center for European Reform, says “I am not sure that many other EU countries are ready to change their approach to national goals right now.”
Over half of Sweden’s total emissions are linked to imports, according to the Global Carbon Project, which may also explain why the country wants to report them.
Is Sweden really a greener nation compared to other countries?
Sweden has been a role model for climate change awareness for some time and is a pioneer with its acceptance of renewable energy. It is also home to environmental activist and icon Greta Thunberg, who has long fought for more action on the climate crisis.
She has long argued rich countries must take responsibility for – and reduce – consumption-based emissions. Her consistent voice when she demanded this change may have influenced her country’s decision to take action.
The rich Nordic nation has very positive environmental exposure, with more than 80 percent of Swedes living within 30 km of a nature reserve. About half of the Swedish population believe that international climate measures will benefit their economy. In France, only 18 percent believe they will benefit economically from international climate agreements.
A number of initiatives have also been taken to combat plastic waste. Year 2017a Swedish supermarket chain reduces the use of plastic labels by instead choosing to tattoo its fruit and vegetables.
The beverage giant, Coca Cola, also began used bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles in Sweden 2019, as a first step towards expanding its use of recycled plastic in Western Europe.
Why are other countries less involved in emissions from abroad?
The United Kingdom, Norway, France and New Zealand are some of the countries that have legally committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. But there are many questions about whether these countries are on track to achieve their goals in the Paris Agreement.
With Sweden’s new decisions, other countries are expected to sharpen theirs ambitions. Last year, the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) reported that the G20, which includes France and the United Kingdom, are responsible for about 75 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Countries such as India and China have also signed the Paris Agreement, but their emission levels continue to increase due to investments in coal-fired power plants and the use of fossil fuels in industrial sectors.
It has also been appreciated by the European Geosciences Union 22 percent of the global carbon dioxide emissions come from raw materials that are manufactured specifically in one place, but are for sale in another.
Sweden has set tough goals for the future. With continued innovation and commitment, it hopes to be the first country to inspire many.
“Sweden’s adoption of this target would hopefully set a new standard for how to manage consumption emissions,” Zeke Hausfather told Climate Home News.
He hopes it will affect “other European countries to follow”.