Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari proposes scrapping Sweden's national target to reduce transport emissions by 70 percent by 2030 compared to 2010 levels. Opposition parties Social Democrats and Green Party strongly criticize the idea, calling it embarrassing and proof of the government's failed climate policy. So far, emissions have only decreased by 19 percent, according to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.
Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari (L) stated in an SVT interview that the current transport target "has flaws." She argues that achieving it would require measures like completely banning car driving on certain days. Instead, she proposes a new goal focused on electrification and seeks support from the other Tidö parties. The Sweden Democrats have previously wanted to abolish the transport target.
According to a report from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, transport emissions have decreased by 19 percent since 2010, far from the 70 percent required by 2030. Pourmokhtari advocates shifting focus from bans and phase-outs to more realistic pathways.
The opposition reacts strongly. Green Party co-leader Daniel Helldén calls it "an embarrassing way to try to hide that they have a poor climate policy that misses all targets." He accuses the government of dismantling climate policy over three and a half years, deliberately increasing emissions.
Social Democrats' spokesperson on environment and climate issues, Åsa Westlund, says: "The government should be ashamed. This is proof of their failed climate policy. They promised the Swedish people to meet the climate targets, but have instead pursued a policy that has significantly increased emissions and risks the competitiveness of the Swedish automotive industry."
The government has previously faced criticism for its climate policy and risks missing several national climate targets.
