Sweden Sees Largest Increase in Greenhouse Gas Emissions in 15 Years
Sweden's greenhouse gas emissions rise 7% in 2024, the largest increase in 15 years, prompting government action calls.
Key Points
- • Greenhouse gas emissions rose by 7% in 2024, totaling 47.5 million tons of CO2 equivalents.
- • The increase is attributed to higher fossil diesel usage and a reduction in biofuels due to policy changes.
- • The Green Party demands immediate government action or acknowledgment of failed climate goals.
- • Climate Minister Pourmoktari states the government is working on new initiatives to reduce emissions.
Sweden's greenhouse gas emissions experienced a startling 7% rise in 2024 compared to the previous year, reaching approximately 47.5 million tons of CO2 equivalents, according to preliminary statistics released by Naturvårdsverket on June 18, 2025. This increase, which equates to over 3 million additional tons of emissions, is the most significant rise the country has seen in over a decade, raising alarms about the nation’s ability to fulfill its climate commitments within the European Union.
The emissions hike has been largely attributed to an increased reliance on fossil diesel in both road traffic and machinery, exacerbated by policy changes earlier in the year. A reduction in the mandated use of biofuels, initiated in January 2024, diminished their percentage in diesel fuel for vehicles and equipment, leading to greater carbon output. According to Roger Sedin, head of the Climate Policy Unit at Naturvårdsverket, the dip in biofuel utilization has notably contributed to these rising figures.
While emissions in the electricity and district heating sectors also saw an uptick, other areas noted a slight decline. The pronounced rise in emissions complicates Sweden's path to meeting the EU’s climate objectives, raising concerns among environmental groups and politicians alike. In response to the worrying trend, Daniel Helldén of the Green Party criticized the current government, calling for it to implement new measures to tackle the emission surge before the summer recess or admit to a failure in achieving climate targets.
Climate Minister Romina Pourmoktari, while staying away from interviews, issued a written statement asserting the government’s commitment to reducing emissions and expressing optimism about meeting the EU’s 2030 benchmarks for the transport sector. She mentioned that new initiatives are being assessed to bridge the gap ahead of the 2026 budget proposal, highlighting efforts towards effective climate action strategies moving forward.