Sweden's Air Quality: Secrets To Success

Sweden has been tackling air pollution since the 1970s, and it is one of the founding members of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition. The country has set a National Environmental Quality Objective for Clean Air, aiming for air that is safe for humans, animals, plants, and cultural assets. Sweden has achieved notable success in reducing emissions of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, and heavy metals since 1990. In 2019, Sweden's air quality met the World Health Organization's target for 11 months, and the country has seen a 68% reduction in methane emissions between 1990 and 2015. Sweden has implemented measures such as tightening requirements for emissions from solid fuel boilers, promoting waste incineration with energy recovery, and reducing the use of studded tires to improve air quality. However, challenges remain, particularly in cities like Gothenburg and Sundsvall, where geographical features and busy traffic contribute to higher levels of nitrogen dioxide.

Sweden's air quality is among the best in the world

Sweden's air quality is considered to be among the best in the world. In 2019, Sweden was ranked 69th globally for air quality, with only four countries having higher-quality air. Stockholm, the capital, was among the three capital cities with the best air quality worldwide.

Sweden's air quality is monitored by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, which compiles data on the country's emissions of air pollutants. Overall, emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), and heavy metals have been decreasing since 1990, although the rate of decline has slowed down in recent years. For example, emissions of nitrogen oxides have more than halved since 1990, with a 7% decrease between 2018 and 2019.

Sweden has implemented various measures to improve its air quality. High charges and mandatory continuous monitoring have been effective in reducing NOx emissions from stationary combustion plants. The country has also introduced congestion taxes in Stockholm and Gothenburg to reduce vehicle emissions. Additionally, Sweden has invested in electric bus fleets and provided incentives for bus manufacturers to provide soot-free buses.

Despite Sweden's overall good air quality, certain areas, such as Gothenburg and Sundsvall, have experienced high levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) due to busy traffic routes and geographical factors that trap pollutants. During the winter, pollution levels can also increase due to combustion and the use of studded tires. Nevertheless, Sweden remains committed to improving its air quality and mitigating climate change. As a founding member of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, Sweden has successfully reduced methane emissions and implemented regulations to cut hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) emissions.

Gothenburg's air pollution problem

Gothenburg, Sweden's second-largest city, has a problem with high levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2). This is mainly due to the busy traffic routes that run through the central parts of the city. Gothenburg is also home to the largest port in Scandinavia, so vehicles travelling to and from the port pass through the low-lying central areas, resulting in large emissions of nitrogen dioxide from their diesel engines. The city's topography, surrounded by hills and ridges, also creates conditions for stagnant air, leading to the accumulation of air pollutants and high levels of NO2.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Sweden has lower amounts of small particles in the air than the recommended levels. However, despite this relatively positive comparison, thousands of people in Sweden still die every year as a direct result of air pollution. This highlights the severe consequences of even moderately high levels of air pollution.

To address air pollution, Sweden has implemented various measures, including congestion taxes in Gothenburg and Stockholm. These taxes apply to both Swedish-registered and foreign-registered vehicles, with payments automatically generated when passing through tolling stations. Sweden has also shown global leadership in short-lived climate pollutant mitigation through its involvement in the Climate and Clean Air Coalition. Additionally, the Swedish Energy Agency introduced an electrical bus premium in 2016 to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and other air pollutants, with investments already approved for 259 buses, contributing to a significant emission reduction.

Sweden's agricultural emissions

Sweden's agricultural sector is taking measures under the Klimatklivet programme, which is estimated to achieve a reduction in emissions of 88,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. The most common investments are in energy conversion, replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy in boilers used to dry grain or heat farm buildings and greenhouses. For example, in the 2020 growing season, Lantmännen Maskin and Energifabriken test-drove new tractors running on the biofuel RME, offering clear climate benefits compared to fossil fuels.

Sweden is also a global leader in short-lived climate pollutant mitigation, with methane emissions decreasing by 68% between 1990 and 2015 and are projected to continue reducing until 2030. This is mainly due to strong actions on solid waste disposal in landfills, such as reducing the landfill disposal of organic material, increasing the recovery of materials, and waste incineration with energy recovery.

However, the development of fossil-free machinery for agricultural use is progressing slowly, and incentives for electric machinery are still inadequate. The proposed taxonomy by the European Commission may negatively impact the transition due to regulations for agriculture and forestry and the types of bioenergy products included. Nevertheless, Sweden remains committed to reducing emissions and improving air quality, as demonstrated by their involvement in initiatives like the Climate and Clean Air Coalition and the Gothenburg protocol under the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution.

Sweden's air pollution policies

Sweden has been at the forefront of tackling air pollution and climate change, with policies and initiatives that have set a global example. As one of the founding members of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, Sweden has demonstrated its commitment to multilateral cooperation and robust domestic policies.

One of Sweden's key strategies to combat air pollution is its focus on reducing emissions from various sectors. The Swedish Energy Agency, for instance, implemented an electrical bus premium for public electric buses, leading to investments in 259 buses and an estimated reduction of 181,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Additionally, Sweden introduced a support scheme for biogas production through the anaerobic digestion of manure, aiming to reduce methane emissions and gain climate benefits.

Sweden's policies also address the impact of traffic, energy production, and industry on air quality, particularly in urban areas. The country aligns its air quality work with the European National Air Quality Standards and actively participates in EU directives that outline how member states should monitor, assess, and manage ambient air quality. Sweden's municipalities play a crucial role in implementing these policies, with a vision that encompasses a wide range of environmental areas, including unpolluted air, healthy ecosystems, and the protection of cultural objects.

While Sweden has made significant progress, challenges remain. During cold winter periods, higher pollution levels occur due to increased combustion and the use of studded tires in the spring. Additionally, in certain areas, air quality for some pollutants has improved, while others remain unchanged and harmful to human health. Despite these ongoing concerns, Sweden continues to be a leader in air pollution mitigation, working collaboratively to address these complex issues.

Air pollution and health effects

Sweden has been concerned about air pollution since the 1970s and has been actively working to reduce it. The country's air quality is generally good, but certain areas, particularly urban centres, continue to experience harmful levels of air pollution.

Health Effects

Air pollution has been linked to a range of negative health effects. Ambient air pollution increases the risk of heart and lung diseases and can reduce life expectancy. Children are especially vulnerable to the impacts of air pollution. Their smaller lungs and higher breathing rates mean that relatively more air pollutants are absorbed into their bodies. Children's lungs, brains, and internal organs are also rapidly developing, making them more susceptible to harm from air pollution. In addition, children are more prone to infections of the respiratory tract and can suffer from asthma attacks when exposed to polluted air.

In Sweden, thousands of people die prematurely each year due to air pollution. A study by the Swedish Environmental Research Institute and Umeå University found that exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) resulted in approximately 5,500 premature deaths annually. The health impacts of air pollution also result in significant socio-economic costs, with the annual cost to society of health damage caused by nitrogen oxides and particulate matter estimated at SEK 42 billion.

Causes of Air Pollution

Traffic, energy production, and industry are the main sources of air pollution in Sweden, particularly in urban areas. Domestic transport, industry, and machinery are the largest sources of emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), which include nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Emissions from international shipping also affect Sweden, but these are not included in the country's national emissions statistics.

Particulate emissions from road traffic, machinery, and small-scale wood burning contribute to air pollution, as do emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and sulphur dioxide (SO2). The use of studded tires in the springtime and combustion during the winter months can also increase levels of NOx and PM.

Measures to Reduce Air Pollution

Sweden has implemented various measures to reduce air pollution and mitigate its health effects. The country has set ambitious targets for reducing emissions, such as the Swedish National Environmental Quality Objectives, which include the goal of "Clean Air." This objective aims to ensure that air pollution does not pose a risk to human health, animals, plants, or cultural assets. Each municipality in Sweden is responsible for assessing and improving air quality to meet environmental quality standards.

Congestion taxes in Stockholm and Gothenburg aim to reduce vehicle emissions, and the country has also implemented a system of electrical bus premiums for public electric buses to lower carbon dioxide emissions. Sweden has also taken a lead role in the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, demonstrating its commitment to multilateral cooperation and robust domestic policies to address air pollution and climate change.

Frequently asked questions