Press release
12 December 2008
Ministry of the Environment
Swedish greenhouse gas emissions are declining
Sweden is continuing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions fell by a further two percentage points in 2007. Total Swedish emissions have now fallen by a total of 9 per cent since 1990. This year's reduction is one of the biggest since 1990. The reduction from one year to the next has only been greater on two occasions since 1990.
Sweden is continuing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions fell by a further two percentage points in 2007. Total Swedish emissions have now fallen by a total of 9 per cent since 1990. This year's reduction is one of the biggest since 1990. The reduction from one year to the next has only been greater on two occasions since 1990.
The Ministry of the Environment today received the preliminary data on Swedish greenhouse gas emissions for 2007. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency's overview shows that overall emissions of the most important greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol continue to fall. The period 2006 to 2007 saw a reduction of over 2 percentage points. Emissions in 2007 were the lowest for the entire period since 1990. Total emissions have now fallen by 9 per cent since 1990, with carbon dioxide levels in 2007 standing at 65.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents. Over the same period, the economy grew by 48 per cent.
- Sweden continues to set an example for the world that it is possible to reduce emissions and still experience growth. The new emissions figures show that emissions fell and we continued our climate adaptation, even in good economic times, such as we had in 2007. Other countries are very interested in our instruments, not least the carbon dioxide tax, says Minister for the Environment Andreas Carlgren.
According to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, there are several reasons for the reduction in emissions. The largest reductions, in absolute terms, came in the energy sector. This was mainly a result of oil-fired heating being replaced with biofuels. In other parts of the energy sector, such as industrial energy use, electricity production and district heating, emissions have varied over the years and are currently at approximately the same levels as in 1990. Emissions from agriculture and waste have also fallen significantly since 1990, partly due to reduced landfill disposal of organic waste.
Emissions from the transport sector have increased by a total of 12 per cent since 1990, but the rate of increase has decreased in recent years.
- Emissions from the transport sector must be reduced. We are continuing to develop both national and international instruments for the conversion to renewable fuels and fuel-efficient vehicles. The green car rebate has spurred sales of cars that are less damaging to the environment. Incorporating aviation in the emissions trading system will be a step towards putting a price on emissions and making polluters pay for emissions, says Mr Carlgren.
The emissions figures will be examined by the Government Offices before they are sent to the European Commission on 15 January. The Swedish Environmental Agency has further analysed emissions from previous years, and some previous figures have been adjusted. For this reason, the overall reduction achieved since 1990 stands at the same level as last year, despite the fact that Sweden achieved a reduction of 2 percentage points in 2007. It is primarily the emissions figures for the iron and steel industries that have been revised.
Contact
Mattias JohanssonPress Secretary to Andreas Carlgren
Per Rosenqvist
Deputy Director
+46 8 405 42 20
+46 70 351 69 75 Leif Holmberg
Political Adviser
+46 8 405 23 88
