OECD reviews performance of Sweden’s climate and environmental policy

Jo Tyndall, Director of the Environment Directorate at the OECD, summarised the findings of the Review at a seminar in Stockholm. The report contains 28 recommendations for Sweden on the protection of biodiversity, reduced emissions from various sectors such as transport, and suggestions on implementing the green tax shift. 

The OECD notes that Sweden has pursued an ambitious environment and climate policy for many decades with extremely low emissions as part of a robust policy framework.

According to the OECD report, Sweden is a knowledge-driven economy characterised by high living standards and a healthy environment. In the past 15 years, Sweden has successfully reduced climate emissions and air pollution – having among the lowest levels of air pollution among all OECD countries and the lowest per capita climate emissions in the EU.

The Government has taken key steps in several policy areas since the report was compiled; for example, the first reverse auction for bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) was held in Sweden and a government-appointed committee of inquiry has presented its proposals for streamlining approvals processes. 

In her remarks in response to the report, Ms Pourmokhtari emphasised that Sweden is a good example of how economic growth can go hand-in-hand with reductions in emissions and air pollution. The Government is striving for long-term solutions that eliminate emissions entirely rather than short-term steps that reduce them.

Sweden’s work to increase biodiversity has been a particular focus area for the OECD. This is important and something that Sweden is pursuing by updating its national biodiversity strategy. Data on some 60 goals included in the Kunming-Montreal framework have already been submitted. The Government will present an updated strategy and action plan later this year.