Swedish climate policy criticised as country moves from leader to laggard

Sweden’s government has taken the country further from its climate targets since coming to power in 2022, according to a new report by the independent Climate Policy Council, as opposition parties label the administration’s record a “climate disaster.”

The council’s annual assessment, published Thursday, concludes that current policies have weakened Sweden’s ability to meet both national climate goals and EU commitments. While the targets remain achievable, chair Åsa Persson warned that “immediate action early in the next term is critical,” given the tight 2030 deadline.

The report includes ten recommendations for the current and future governments to reverse the trend, emphasising accelerated electrification and expanded biofuel use. But opposition lawmakers from the Social Democrats, Centre Party, and Green Party dismissed the government’s approach as a failure.

“We’ve gone from being a global leader to a cautionary tale,” said Social Democrat climate spokesperson Åsa Westlund. Centre Party representative Rickard Nordin called the past four years a “climate shipwreck,” while Green Party leader Amanda Lind warned that continued rule by the governing coalition would be “a complete catastrophe.”

No government minister attended the report’s launch, a move criticised by the World Wildlife Fund. Acting Climate Minister Johan Britz (Liberal Party) rejected the council’s findings, telling news agency TT that policies like nuclear energy expansion, fossil-free energy investments, and EU-level climate advocacy “lay the foundation for long-term success.”

The Climate Policy Council, an independent expert body, has repeatedly criticised the government’s climate work throughout its term. Its latest report underscores that while Sweden’s goals are still within reach, the window for action is narrowing.