Traffic reductions necessary for Sweden to reach climate goals

Sweden hopes to reduce traffic and the use of fossil fuels by 2030. Photo: Jessica Gow/ScanpixIn order to meet its climate goals, the Swedish government needs to reduce car traffic by 20 percent before 2030. A recent report by the Swedish Traffic Administration shows that car traffic on Swedish roads is increasing, which means that implementing traffic restrictions will be a neccessary measure to meet the climate emissions goal.

According to Swedish National Radio, the report finds that the existing improvements in car technology and the increasing use of renewable fuels is not enough to produce long-term change.

Lena Erixon, general director at the Swedish Traffic Administration, tells Swedish Radio;

“It’s neccessary that these vehicles actually be put to use. And even that will not be enough. Restrictions on transport need to be implemented”, she says.

However, the environment minister Lena Ek is optimistic about the use of increased renewable fuels and technology in reaching the climate goals. She has declined to comment on whether these restrictions will be implemented in the form of increased vehicle and transport taxes.

Another climate goal set out by the Swedish government is reducing the number of vehicles that run on fossil fuels by 80 percent. The report suggests that it is “unclear” and “questionable” whether Sweden will be able to reach this goal by 2030.

Sweden’s infrastructure minister Carin Elmsäter-Svärd will present the government’s plans for infrastructural reform in the autumn. She tells Swedish Radio that the government is in the process of discussing the best possible plan of action.

“It is unclear what decisions will be made. But we will need to start a discussion about all kinds of transport starting to ake responsibility for their own costs”, she says.

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