Conflict and Consensus: The Swedish Model of Climate Politics

Abstract

In 2006 and 2007 Swedish climate policy was ranked the best in the world in an index developed by the non-governmental organization (NGO) Germanwatch (Germanwatch 2006). Despite this, Sweden, like all industrialized countries, is still in the early stages of developing a low-carbon society. This chapter describes the development of Swedish climate policy and its most significant policies, and provides independent analysis of the major obstacles to, and opportunities for, more ambitious emissions reductions. In general it will show that historical decisions, combined with aspects of the Swedish political system that facilitated the introduction of fiscal and regulatory policies, have led to comparatively significant reductions in emissions growth that have not been economically damaging. However, achieving rapid further reductions will require politicians to tackle politically sensitive issues related to lifestyle changes and, potentially, the role of nuclear energy. There are signs that this is happening, but the challenges ahead may test Sweden’s coalition- and consensus-based welfare system.