Sweden Falls to 13th in 2026 Climate Change Performance Index Amid Policy Weakening

Sweden, once a global leader in climate action, has fallen to 13th place in the 2026 Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI), marking its third consecutive year of decline. Despite maintaining strong scores in carbon emissions and renewable energy use, Sweden's ranking has slipped behind nine other countries, including its Nordic neighbors Denmark and Norway. Notably, the top three positions in the 2026 index remain unoccupied, as no country currently meets the stringent criteria for those ranks.

The report, published by Germanwatch, highlights that Sweden's drop is largely attributed to weakened climate policies and high energy consumption, even though the country's carbon tax remains a commendable model internationally. In contrast, Denmark leads the CCPI with ambitious climate goals, including a binding target to reduce emissions by 82% by 2035 compared to 1990 levels. Danish Climate Minister Lars Aagaard underscored Denmark's commitment at a recent climate summit by announcing an annual allocation of 4 billion Danish kroner towards this effort.

Sweden's decline in the CCPI reflects concerns over the government's diminished policy strength despite the country’s historically robust environmental standards. Analysts suggest the need for renewed political will to regain leadership in climate performance.

As of November 18, 2025, Sweden remains relatively high in the ranking but continues to lag behind multiple countries with more aggressive climate policies and commitments. The ongoing downward trajectory serves as a stark reminder of the challenges Sweden faces in maintaining its position as a climate frontrunner.