Fines threaten if Sweden misses climate targets

Agneta Elmegård

Updated 16.17 | Published 15.24

 

Increased emissions could hit Sweden's economy. Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TT / TT News Agency

The country could be hit hard economically if Sweden does not meet the EU's climate commitments by 2030. This is stated by the World Wildlife Fund WWF in a press release. The analysis was produced by IVL Swedish Environmental Institute on behalf of WWF. The fine could be up to 110 million SEK, plus 1.4 million SEK for each day that the targets are not met.

The EU Commission is based on the principle that it should be more expensive not to comply with legislation than to take measures to achieve it.

- The climate crisis is not only a disaster for nature, but also a ticking bomb in economic terms. It could lead to billions in costs and sanctions. Sweden can lead the way, but it requires political will and clear decisions. The next government must address this quickly, urges Gustaf Lind, Secretary General of the World Wildlife Fund WWF.

If Sweden does not meet the targets, the country risks:

• Sanction fees of SEK 30–112 million in one-off amounts.
• SEK 1.4 million per day in penalties until the targets are met.
• An interest-on-interest effect that will make the emissions gap even larger in the coming years.
• The fines can be significantly more expensive. If Sweden does not comply with legislation, a fine could end up in the tens of billions.

The fines could be significantly more expensive. If Sweden does not comply with legislation, a fine could end up in the tens of billions.

Member of the European Parliament, Heléne Fritzon, is concerned about the consequences if the climate targets are missed:

– The government's lack of climate policy means that we now risk multi-million-euro fines from the EU Commission. Yet the Minister for Climate continues to be absolutely silent about new measures. The risks are not only about climate policy, but also about the Swedish economy. If the government fails, the bill could end up with taxpayers, with consequences for public finances and the state budget for a long time. This is therefore as much a question of economic responsibility as it is of climate policy, she says.
Aftonbladet is looking for Sweden's Minister for Climate and Environment is Romina Pourmokhtari (L).