What are the Swedish attitudes to climate action?

Researchers at Gothenburg University, Linköping University and Stockholm University have compiled a report on the Swedish public’s support for and attitudes towards climate policy in Sweden.

Sofia Axelsson, University of Gothenburg, Naghmeh Nasiritousi, Linköping University and the Swedish Institute of International Affairs, presented the report at a webinar arranged by Mistra Carbon Exit on 3 December 2024.

The study “Stöd för och attityder till klimatpolitik i Sverige” is commissioned by the Swedish Climate Policy Council and gives a picture of attitudes towards climate policy and climate change adaptation, citizens' preferences and concerns and how these can be influenced or addressed.

The study is based on the yearly surveys from the SOM Institute in 2021 and 2022.

Most respondents support climate ambitions

“In general, it can be said that there is broad support for Sweden's climate goals but that opinions differ between groups in society depending on, for example, political affiliation and where you live. Not surprisingly, the Green Party appears to have the strongest interest in climate action, while the Sweden Democrats have the lowest,” says Naghmeh Nasiritousi.

A large majority of the respondents (more than 70 per cent) support the current climate target of ‘zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 at the latest’ or think the ambition level should be raised further.

Some issues are more polarised than others, particularly evident when comparing the 2021 survey with the 2022 study – 2022 was an election year.

Polarisation due to politics

“Opinions are relatively stable, but there are notable exceptions on election issues such as the reduction obligation, i.e. the blending of biofuels in petrol and diesel, which was a hotly debated election issue”, says Naghmeh Nasiritousi.

Strong support for the proposal decreased – from 54 to 42 per cent - between 2021 and 2022.

The proposal to ban petrol and diesel from 2040 has also made Swedes more negative. And one-fifth think that tax shifting by reducing employers' contributions while increasing environmental taxes is a bad idea.

However, other proposals, such as using more tax money to expand public transport, are supported by 74 per cent of Swedes, with the most substantial support coming from the Green Party and the Left Party.

You can read the whole study here: Stöd för och attityder till klimatpolitik i Sverige (Swedish only).

Follow this link to see a recording from the webinar: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LIviw3FsGnfY4GfbaxOoY8cK3fGMJSQY?usp=sharing