The Swedish Climate Act

Country / jurisdiction: Sweden · Year: 2018 · Status: In force · Level: National · Type: Voluntary

The Climate Act entered into force on the first of January 2018. The Act establishes that the Government's climate policy must be based on the climate targets and specifies how the implementation is to be carried out. The Act states that the Government shall carry out climate policy work that:

Government shall carry out a climate policy work that

1. aims to prevent dangerous disruptions to the climate system;

2. contributes to protecting ecosystems and present and future generations against harmful effects of climate change;

3. aims to reduce carbon dioxide and other emissions greenhouse gases and to preserve and create functions in the environment that counteract climate change and its harmful effects; and

4. rests on a scientific basis and is based on relevant technical, social, economic and environmental considerations.

The government shall submit a climate report to the Riksdag in the Budget Bill. The climate report shall include:

1. an account of the emission trends;

2. an account of the most important decisions in climate policy during the year and how these will impact greenhouse gas emissions, and

3. an assessment of whether further measures are needed and when and how decisions on such measures can then be taken.

Every four years, the Government shall develop a climate policy action plan. The action plan should include a description of:

1. Sweden's commitments within the EU and internationally;

2. historical emission data relating to greenhouse gases up to the latest reported emission inventory;

3. forecasted emission reductions;

4. the outcome of measures taken to reduce emissions;

5. planned measures for emission reductions. an approximate indication of when these measures take effect;

6. the extent to which approved and planned emission reduction measures can be expected to contribute to the national and global climate targets can be reached;

7. the extent approved and planned measures in various areas of expenditure affecting the chances of reaching the national and global climate targets; and

8. any further measures or decisions that may be needed to achieve the national and global climate goals.

Official source: https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/klimatlag-2017720_sfs-2017-720