Necessary decisions have been postponed and the Council notes that the government's climate policy during the mandate period has worsened the chances of achieving climate goals.
Climate goals can still be achieved, but "powerful decisions" are required, according to the report.
"The government's policy has been inadequate and there is no longer room for postponing decisions. It will be a tall order for the government that takes office after the election," says Council Chair Åsa Persson.
Pros and cons for the industry
The instruments for transport have been weakened mainly due to higher use of fossil fuels, lower fuel taxes and weaker reduction obligations, says Olof Johansson Stenman, Vice Chairman of the Climate Policy Council.
He mentions, among other things, that the share of electric cars in Sweden is falling and lags behind both Norway and Denmark. The conditions for investing in new nuclear power have improved, but for other fossil-free power sources such as wind power they have deteriorated.
The conditions for the industry's transition have been partly strengthened, especially with a focus on simpler permit processes. However, reduced political ambition and inconsistency have increased uncertainty, according to the Council's conclusion.
The Climate Policy Council also highlights the lack of plans and instruments for agriculture's contribution to climate goals. According to the report, this makes it more difficult to achieve both short- and long-term goals.
According to the evaluation, Sweden has mainly stood up for the EU's climate policy during its mandate, but its leadership role has weakened.
Ten recommendations
Åsa Persson says that the council has a good dialogue with the government, but that the measures that have been proposed year after year are not reflected in policy. For example, emissions are at the same level now as at the beginning of the mandate period.
"We note that people wanted low fuel prices, but now we see higher fuel prices. Swedish households and companies would have been less affected if they had been quicker to switch to electrification and made electric transport more attractive," she says.
The report presents ten recommendations for climate policy in the next term. Among other things, the Climate Policy Council wants to see a concrete climate action plan no later than with the budget bill in autumn 2027.
Facts: Climate Policy Council recommendations
Ten recommendations for the next term of office addressed to all parliamentary parties:
Present a concrete climate action plan no later than the budget bill in autumn 2027
Work to ensure that the EU's 55% package is implemented by 2030, as agreed, and take a proactive role in developing an ambitious European climate framework by 2040
Develop the Swedish climate policy framework to 2040
Integrate climate change into the comprehensive modernization of total defense
Introduce a broad package of instruments for emissions from the transport sector and heavy machinery
Create stable and long-term conditions for industrial transformation
Anchor and broaden the policy for the fossil-free energy sector of the future
Decide on instruments for increased net uptake in forests and land
Design a bioeconomy strategy for Sweden with a comprehensive approach to the role of forests
Develop climate policy for agriculture
Source: Climate Policy Council
