Reduced Climate Impact
”In accordance with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere must be stabilised at a level that will prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. This goal must be achieved in such a way and at such a pace that biological diversity is preserved, food production is assured and other goals of sustainable development are not jeopardised. Sweden, together with other countries, must assume responsibility for achieving this global objective.”
Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere from a range of human activities are causing warming of the global climate. The largest contribution to climate change, in Sweden and around the world, comes from burning of fossil fuels such as oil, coal and fossil gas to generate heat and electricity, for industrial processes, and to power transport.
Enhancement of the greenhouse effect is raising the average temperature on earth. The last decade has probably been the warmest on earth during the last about 125,000 years. The increase in temperature is causing impacts with gradually more serious and unforeseeable consequences for ecosystems and biodiversity across the world, as well as for human societies and livelihoods.
To reduce the risks, it is considered necessary to limit the rise in the global average temperature well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels, pursuing efforts to limit the rise to stay under 1.5 °C. A rise above this level, increases the risks for irreversible consequences, such as extinction of species, or consequences that are difficult to reverse within a time frame of thousands of years, such as the destabilization of ice sheets and the sea level rise caused by this.
The increase in temperature at our high northern latitudes is faster than the global average. Impacts can become far-reaching for agriculture and forestry, for example. Sensitive habitats in mountain areas and in the Baltic Sea could be damaged or lost altogether. Climate change will affect Sweden both through direct local effects, but also through indirect effects of changes in the world.
What are the challenges?
Atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases show a steady rise. To limit the increase in temperature to well below 2 °C, and preferably under 1.5 °C, emissions of these gases worldwide need to quickly decrease, and approach zero during the second half of this century. Achieving the fundamental reorientation of society which this implies will require both action by individual countries and international cooperation to reduce emissions, including under the UN Climate Change Convention. The Swedish Parliament has decided on a climate policy framework for a Sweden with zero net emissions of greenhouse gases by 2045 at the latest. Reaching zero net emissions represents a huge challenge for the whole of society. At the same time as the challenge is huge, the transition towards climate neutrality is also associated with opportunities and positive synergies, such as cleaner air and better energy security.
Specification for Reduced Climate Impact
The environmental quality objective Reduced Climate Impact has the following specific target:
The increase in global average temperature is to be limited well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels, and efforts are to be pursued to limit the increase to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels. Sweden will press internationally for global efforts to be directed towards achieving this target.
A warmer world
The Powerpoint presentation ”A warmer world” is about climate and climate change and can be downloaded by anyone interested in using it for educational purposes. Updated in 2024, the presentation is based on the 2016 book ”En varmare värld”.
