Mistra Carbon Exit shows how Sweden’s emissions should be phased out

Sustainable environment Sustainable environment

Sustainable society Sustainable society Sustainable transition

Sweden aims to have net zero emissions by 2045. The technology that is required to get there is known, and the cost is often marginal at the consumer level. The report Accelerating the Climate Transition – Mistra Carbon Exit Key Messages, describes the way ahead, including technical opportunities and challenges regarding the way behaviours, regulation and controls affect the transition.

“We know what technology is needed for Sweden to reach net zero emissions by 2045. We also understand that the costs for removing emissions may be high at the producer level, but in most cases marginal at the consumer level. The challenge, above all, lies in the fact that it is still too cheap to emit carbon dioxide,” said Lars Zetterberg, Programme Director of Mistra Carbon Exit and researcher at IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute.

The report is supported by some 40 researchers and experts from universities, research institutes, companies and think tanks, including KTH, Linköping University, University of Gothenburg, the Washington-based Resources for the Future and the Brusselsbased Centre for European Policy Studies.

The report, which is just over 70 pages in length, provides examples of several advances in the climate work. The cost of wind and solar power has fallen dramatically, sales of electric vehicles are rising faster than expected and there is a strong desire to participate in the transition, both among companies and citizens.

“There is no lack of innovation and initiative. But if we are to succeed in reducing emissions fast enough to reach the climate goals, the work must be further speeded up,” says

Filip Johnsson, Deputy Programme Director of Mistra Carbon Exit and professor at Chalmers University of Technology.

The report also addresses how climate change risks adversely affecting other sustainability goals, such as biodiversity and job opportunities.

“Some jobs may disappear, and this can affect sparsely populated and urban areas differently. However, the transition will also entail a range of opportunities, such as improved air quality and the creation of new jobs, which is already being felt in northern Sweden with investments in battery factories and low-carbon steel,” says Lars Zetterberg.

The decisions and actions that are implemented during this decade will have a decisive impact if Sweden is to have a chance of achieving net zero emissions by the year 2045, according to the researchers within Mistra Carbon Exit.

“The entire community needs to be engaged in the transition work, in all sectors and at all levels, including companies, local authorities and consumers,” says Lars Zetterberg.

NINE LESSONS FOR AN ACCELERATED TRANSITION

1. Clear demands need to be stipulated during public procurement. 2. Improve cooperation in construction projects. 3. Develop the technology for a flexible electrical system. 4. Speed up the transition of the transport sector. 5. Create new regulations for batteries. 6. Strengthen the commitment from the financial sector. 7. Further tighten up emissions trading. 8. Introduce supplementary support and controls. 9. Set up new financing models for carbon storage.

You can download the report in full from the programme’s website: mistracarbonexit.com.

To find out more, please contact: Lars Zetterberg, Programme Director, Mistra Carbon Exit, lars.zetterberg@ivl.se, tel. 010-788 65 57