Swedish Government Faces Backlash After Abolishing Transport Emission Reduction Goal

The Swedish government's recent decision to abolish the transport emissions reduction goal has sparked significant criticism from political opponents and environmental advocates. Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari (L) announced on February 24, 2026, her intention to scrap the transport goal, which aimed for at least a 70% reduction in emissions from the transport sector (excluding domestic flights) by 2030 compared to 2010 levels. Pourmokhtari justified the move by labeling the goal unrealistic, remarking that meeting it "would essentially require us to ban driving on certain days." Instead, she proposed replacing it with a more feasible "electrification goal."

This decision contradicts the agreement reached last autumn by the environmental goal committee, involving all parliamentary parties except the Sweden Democrats (SD), who opposed retaining the goal, and the Christian Democrats (KD), who advocated abolishing all national climate goals in favor of EU-wide targets. Martin Kinnunen (SD) found the Liberal Party’s about-face "strange" but welcomed the announcement, questioning their previous engagement in discussions on maintaining the transport goal.

Opposition voices have been vocal in their condemnation. Social Democratic climate spokesperson Åsa Westlund accused the government of neglecting responsible climate policy, saying they "should be ashamed" because their actions have resulted in rising emissions and threatened the competitiveness of Sweden’s automotive industry. Green Party spokesperson Daniel Helldén called the government’s move a "shameful attempt to conceal poor climate policy," emphasizing the importance of upholding ambitious transport emission targets.

The abolition of the transport goal comes at a pivotal moment, as Sweden attempts to reconcile climate ambitions with economic and social realities in the transport sector. The controversy highlights the ongoing debate over the most effective strategies to reduce emissions while sustaining industry competitiveness and public support.