Sweden Swears Off Fossil Fuels

The Swedish government has set the aggressive goal of eliminating its dependence on fossil fuels by 2020, according to Mona Sahlin, minister for sustainable development. Sweden plans to harness tax credits, research, and large-scale investment in district heating, among other strategies, to wean the country off fossil fuels. Transportation, which currently accounts for about half of the country’s fossil-fuel consumption, will likely prove the biggest hurdle. “Carbon-dioxide-neutral fuels” will be exempt from the country’s carbon dioxide and energy taxes for the coming five years. Sweden is also helped in its goal by the fact that most of its electricity is generated using nuclear and hydroelectric power (45% and 35%, respectively), and 40% of its household waste is burned to generate energy. The minister’s statement is at www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/5992/a/51058.