Sweden’s Moderates abandon 2030 transport climate target

Sweden’s Moderate Party has joined other governing coalition partners in abandoning the national climate target for domestic transport, calling it unachievable without sharp fuel price hikes.

Speaking to SVT on Monday, party leader Ulf Kristersson confirmed the Moderates now support replacing the 2030 emissions reduction goal with an “electrification target,” aligning with earlier positions from the Liberals, Christian Democrats, and Sweden Democrats.

“Will we reach it? No, and no one will unless they raise fuel prices,” finance minister Elisabeth Svantesson told SVT. She dismissed the idea of a SEK 10 per litre increase—deemed necessary by experts—as unrealistic, suggesting only left-wing parties would support such a measure.

The current target requires a 70% cut in domestic transport emissions by 2030 compared to 2010 levels. Sweden’s Climate Policy Council has stated this would require higher fossil fuel taxes and stricter reduction mandates.

While the government remains legally bound by the 2017 Climate Act—passed with cross-party support except from the Sweden Democrats—to pursue policies aligned with climate targets, Kristersson said discussions on revising the goals are ongoing among the coalition partners, though no joint decision has been made.