Sweden’s 20 largest emitters account for close to one third of Sweden’s total emissions. Whether they will successfully transform their business and reduce their emissions, will be a central aspect to reach the Swedish climate targets. According to a recent report by the Haga Initiative, the 20 largest emitters in Sweden will become small emitters as well as contribute with large negative emissions.
The Haga Initiative has mapped Sweden’s largest emitters of greenhouse gases and their ambitions to reduce their emissions*. The study examines the direct emissions of the companies, i.e. scope 1. These companies have a central role to play in the green transition. The study shows the potential that these companies hold to reduce Sweden’s territory-based emissions. Sweden has a target to reach net-zero emissions by 2045.
– The report shows which ambitions the largest emitters have to reduce their direct emissions. The impact of these ambitions could potentially become even larger when it affects other companies in the value chain as a result, says Nina Ekelund, Executive Director.
Companies with the highest ambitions plan on making large emission reductions before 2035. Based on sector, policy instruments, market demand, competitiveness etc. some companies can reduce emissions faster than others. The companies with the most ambitious climate targets plan to make large emission reductions before 2035: Stockholm Exergi, Göteborg Energi, Renova, SYSAV (South Scania Waste Company), Preem, E.ON and Höganäs.
– It is promising that Sweden’s largest emitters are reducing their emissions and contributing to the climate transformation. We will see large emission reductions from both Preem and Stockholm Exergi already by 2035, which is ten years ahead of Sweden’s net-zero target by 2045, says Nina Ekelund, Executive Director of the Haga Initiative.
Four of the companies have not been included in the estimated reduction potential due to inability to report a specific estimate for their Swedish operations. However, their emission reduction potential is considered impactful. For example, SSAB, Sweden’s largest emitter, has made a policy decision to cut close to all scope 1 and 2 emissions in the next decade.
Negative emissions (bio-CCS) from three of the companies could reach 31,2 million tons CO2e in 2045 (Stockholm Exergi, SYSAV and Cementa). This number is four times greater than the total amount of remaining CO2 emissions from the entire group of the 20 largest emitters together.
*The emissions are presented in carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e).
Read the report here.
Contacts
Nina Ekelund, Executive Director, the Haga Initiative
Gabrielle Tillberg, Project Manager, the Haga Initiative
