Sweden is the most sustainable country in the world. For decades they have been paving the way for environmental action. In fact, they were the first country to pass an Environmental Protection Act back in 1967. They are also the highest recyclers in the world – read more about that here.
I was more than ecstatic to hear all of this. A) coming from America where it took so much effort to do your best for the environment. B) I had just received my Masters in Environmental Science and Policy so I was deep into studying this.
“Sweden ranks first in the European Union (EU) in consumption of organic foods, leads the way in recycling drinks cans and bottles, and gets the highest share of its energy from renewable sources. What’s more, Swedish fashion retailer H&M is a world leader in using organic cotton and the Government has allocated SEK 400 million for research and development of environment technology. (Swedish Institute 2015b, para. 1)”
So how did this Scandinavian country become the sustainable country in the world? I believe there are two HUGE factors that play a major role: culture and policy.
Culture
Education
Education is a significant element in how a society or culture is shaped and therefore acts. The Swedish curriculum has kids learning about the environment and how they interact with it starting in preschool. Kids spend a considerable amount of time outside. They learn about plants and animals – and how to take care of both. Environmental conservation and respect for nature is a core mission in education.
Preschool Curriculum
These are the actual goals for the 2019 preschool curriculum:
- a growing responsibility for and interest in sustainable development and active participation in society (p. 13)
- an understanding of relationships in nature and different cycles in nature, and how people, nature and society affect each other, (p. 15)
- an understanding of how different choices people make in everyday life can contribute to sustainable development (p. 15), and
- an understanding of natural sciences, knowledge of plants and animals, and simple chemical processes and physical phenomena. (p. 15)
This is in preschool?! Some adults don’t even know or understand this. Sweden has kids who grow up to truly know how humans impact the environment. I mean, Greta Thunburg calls Sweden home if that explains anything.
Research
Sweden is also a leader in environmental research. Stockholm is home to the Stockholm Environment Institute and the Stockholm Resilience Centre at the Stockholm University.
They both provide cutting edge research and innovations for environmental and sustainability challenges. The Swedish government is their biggest funder. This kind of research is where policy can get informed.
The Swedish Royal Family
The Royal Family of Sweden, while they have no political power, are huge advocates for the environment and climate goals. In 1972, King Carl XVI Gustaf attended the first United Nations environmental conference held in Stockholm.
Crown Princess Victoria is one of the sixteen advocates for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. She attends most environmental events in Sweden and makes sustainable statements by continually rewearing outfits. This shows people to not only take value in their existing clothing, but how unsustainable it is to continually buy clothes for special one time events.
The Royal Family’s commitment to speak up and out about environmental issues sets a prominent example for the country.
Policy
Swedish Government
The Swedish government and high officials truly make climate a priority. They have clear and actionable climate goals both nationally and internationally. As for energy, Sweden is completely off fossil fuels and runs on wind, solar, hydro, nuclear, and biogas. By 2040 they are projected to become the first welfare state that is completely run on renewable energy. They also have a high carbon tax, banned extraction of fossil fuels in the country, and have extensive recycling policies.
Commitment to the Paris Agreement
In 2015 the United Nations Paris Agreement was set into place. Sweden decided they needed to further beef up their already robust policies and target goals. In 2017, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket), the government agency that has rightfully been responsible for these strategic changes, announced the country’s new Climate Policy Framework.
Here are some of the more ambitious highlights:
- The long-term target for Sweden is zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 at the latest.
- The emissions from domestic transport, with the exception of domestic flights, are to be reduced by at least 70 per cent by 2030, compared to 2010.
The main goals and how to achieve them can be found here.
Sweden’s Influence Needs to Extend Further
Sweden’s progressive environmental policies and education is something to be applauded and widely celebrated. However, Sweden still only has a population of 10 million. Although this makes a difference internationally – it is still relatively small.
Other countries need to follow Sweden’s example in taking action for the climate. They can even seek Sweden out for counsel for how to slowly implement the policies and concepts into their own countries, as we know it is possible.
The countries who are the largest polluters, therefore contributing the most to climate change, like the United States or China would be ideal. However with larger populations, different infrastructure, and varying cultures and politics, it comes with challenges – but if we don’t try, we know nothing will change for the better.
I do also want to point out that Sweden is an incredibly rich country with the world’s 14th highest GDP per capita. It is a welfare country that provides many social services to its people including environmental infrastructure. Therefore, the start-up costs for various technologies and infrastructure isn’t a hurdle as it might be for other countries. BUT as mentioned before, the richest countries are the ones polluting the most, so it’s a matter of priority.
It is good to hear about Sweden’s culture and its education, preschool curriculum, environmental research, The Swedish Royal Family, environmental and climate goals, Swedish Government Recycling policies and their commitment towards domestic transport makes an impact on rest of the world to set an example and follow the good governance framed on climate policy opens our eyes to create something new by setting an example to others. Elimination of wastage is one area where everybody should focus and effective handling of wastage to turn as a recycling product reduces the pollution levels in and around keeps us in safe and secured zone. It also improves the air quality and style of living conditions gives great relief on the part of citizens is worth mentioned here in this regard. Cleanliness is close to Godliness. Green transportation allows the people to breath fresh air while travelling makes an impact on the part of citizens to lead a quality life. Environment protects is our main objective. Conservation of natural resources is the first step one has to follow. Otherwise, climate change is a major threat to all of us irrespective of the place where we live. If we protect the nature it protects us. It is a matter of priority to the whole world. Sweden’s influence needs to extend further to follow by everyone to create a green world on war foot basis gives some kind of relief to relax and share the message to reach huge and save our nation to stand first in the world to set an example to other countries is stressed here on this occasion.