The government delivered a thin Christmas present, albeit on time
Today, the government finally presented its climate policy action plan, and on the right side of the year in accordance with the Climate Act. During the press conference, all parties agreed that the EU's Fit for 55 sets the framework for Swedish climate policy, the importance of solving access to fossil-free electricity and the desire to reduce emissions. At the same time, Sweden's competitiveness and prosperity will continue to increase and more attractive jobs will be created. The business sector is the engine of this transition, and for that, skills supply for technological development is important. Good for you.
In TechSweden's input to the government's work on the action plan, we pointed out that the tech industry is a key player whose solutions play a crucial role in succeeding in the climate transition while strengthening Sweden's competitiveness. The government now had a golden opportunity to show political and future-oriented leadership that focuses on digital solutions to enable us to achieve the overall goals of reduced emissions and energy efficiency improvements. Does the government make this connection? Not during the press conference itself, but let's take a closer look at the action plan itself.
It contains around 70 proposals to reduce emissions and create the conditions for net-zero emissions by 2045, 50 of which will be new. And there are key findings and proposed actions for the mandate period:
- The government makes the connection that the green and digital transitions go hand in hand (twin transition).
- The government has commissioned Vinnova to strengthen the innovation and research program Advanced Digitalization with a final report in March 2028 (already announced).
- The Government notes the need to increase and attract skills, both among women and men, also in the field of digitization, as it is important for the green transition of society and industry as a whole and to strengthen Swedish competitiveness.
- The government will review economic instruments to accelerate the climate transition (forthcoming report).
- The Government points out that Swedish industry is important for prosperity and innovation and a driving force in the climate transition. The government wants to be an aggressive partner in supporting the business sector's transition and innovation work to meet the climate challenge, and we will learn more about this in the upcoming research and innovation bill.
I don't want to complain - the above is good and definitely necessary to have any chance of reaching the climate goals, but there are not many sharp or new initiatives here and now. The action plan states that ministries will present policies to reduce emissions in their areas, which is also very unclear what that might be.
Frida Faxborn, industrial policy expert"TechSverige made a number of very concrete proposals for action to accelerate this transition here and now"
TechSverige submitted a number of very concrete proposals for measures to accelerate this transition here and now, which we do not currently see in the action plan. We will therefore continue to press for, and spread knowledge about, the fact that digitization is fundamental and absolutely crucial to the transition. There still seems to be a great need for this.
Finally, regarding the government's message that the proposals need to have popular support. This of course refers a lot to the reduction obligation, but I do not know if I fully agree here. Major transitions require bold political decisions that may not initially be fully supported by the public but which are for the good of all - in the longer term. That is the essence of future-oriented leadership.
TechSverige will now analyze the Climate Action Plan in detail.
Frida Faxborn
Industrial policy expert
Related links:
Our input to the climate policy action plan - The government's climate policy action plan requires tech industry solutions - TechSverige
Our input to the research and innovation prop. Political commitment now needed for a competitive Sweden - TechSverige