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Sweden wants fossil fuel-free driving by 2030

The Swedish government on Wednesday laid out the key proposals in its energy and climate bill.

Sweden wants fossil fuel-free driving by 2030

The government’s climate goal is to cut emissions of greenhouse gases by 40 percent by 2020 based on 1990 levels. By then half of Sweden’s energy needs will come form renewable energy resources with a massive expansion of wind power key to meeting demand.

Sweden’s car stock will by 2030 run on non-fossil fuel energy sources.

The government has allocated 300 million kronor ($34.15 million) per annum for energy efficiency initiatives between 2010-2014.

Swedish enterprise minister Maud Olofsson said at a press conference at the government offices on Wednesday that Sweden’s goals are probably the most ambitious worldwide.

Olofsson promised that if Sweden can lead the world in the switch to renewable energy resources then jobs would follow as a result.

The environment minister, Andreas Carlgren, concurred.

“We see major investment in the environment and climate initiatives as the way out of the economic crisis,” he said.

Carlgren underlined that key to the government’s approach is to provide clear and timely guidelines over policy.

“That which is good for the environment shall be cheaper, that which is bad should be more expensive. Carrot and stick.”

“The ambition is that the tax burden should not increase when the measures are pushed through,” Carlgren explained.

One new initiative presented by Maud Olofsson was that small and medium-sized firms should contribute with advice on energy issues.

“Here there is an incredible amount of money to be saved, she confirmed. Maud Olofsson finished her introductory comments with a smile and sent a message to future generations:

“We did what we could, when we saw how it was.”

When asked by news agency TT over plans for petrol taxes, Andreas Carlgren replied:

“We are prepared to raise carbon taxes as much as it necessary to cut emissions by two million tonnes.”

He added that a rise is not on the agenda at the moment, explaining that the climate bill contained sufficiently tough measures.