Sweden Says Yes to No Oil

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Sweden Says Yes to No Oil

By by Sam Rawlings

Mar 2, 2006, 14:44

 

By 2020 Sweden aims to become a virtually oil-free economy, a bold step

that will require co-operation from individuals and industry alike.

Already one of Europe’s leading countries in green energy, Sweden gets

26 per cent of its power from renewable sources compared to the six per

cent European average. In the last decade, much of Sweden’s domestic

heating has been converted to geothermal power, harnessing the

abundance of natural heat and reducing demand for imported fuels.

 

“A Sweden free of fossil fuels would give us huge advantages, not least

by reducing the impact from fluctuations in oil prices,” said the

Swedish Minister for Sustainable Development, Mona Sahlin. “An

increasing number of countries are recognising the problem with fossil

fuels. Sweden has the chance to be an international model and a

successful factor in export markets for alternative solutions.”

 

The Swedish government hopes to reach its goals through focusing on

every aspect of oil consumption. Companies known to produce high carbon

emissions will be taxed and subsidies will be available for those

wanting to convert to green energy. On a domestic level, those who use

cars that run on biodiesel will be exempt from some motoring taxes, as

well as enjoying the benefits of green fuel being cheaper.

 

Sweden has long held environmental, ethical policies and has been in

the process of phasing out nuclear power since 1980. This latest

radical step was prompted by the increasing costs of oil and the

evergrowing evidence of global warming. “If we don’t do anything or we

wait too long, the transition could be brutal and costly. Then we’ll be

forced to adapt to circumstances with decreasing room for manoeuvre,”

said Mona Sahlin. “But if we act with foresight, we could have a smooth

process of transition using new, clean, efficient technology and

continue our global economic and social progress.”

 

Although Sweden is the first to set a target of this enormity, other

countries also have long term plans to reduce their consumption of

finite resources. Earlier this year, even US President George Bush

spoke of America’s ‘addiction’ to oil. Addressing Congress, he said:

“The best way to break this addiction is through technology.” Iceland

is planning to convert all its country’s vehicles to run on

environmentally friendly fuel and the UK aims to receive 10 per cent of

its power through renewable means by the year 2012. Modest as some of

these pledges are, they show an increasing awareness among governments

of the implications of continuing to use fossil fuels – the first step

towards an international effort to combat climate change.

 

Contact: Government Offices of Sweden, SE-103 33 Stockholm, Sweden.

Website: www.sweden.gov.se Tel: + 46 8 405 10 00

 

Photo: Mona Sahlin, Swedish Minister for Sustainable Development. ©

www.sweden.gov.se

 

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