Sweden activists plan climate demo weeks before election

STOKHOLM: More than 100 organizations are planning a climate protest in Sweden weeks before a September general election, sharpening criticism of a government long accused of failing to act on pledges to reduce CO2 emissions.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s right-wing government has cut petrol taxes and reduced requirements for petrol suppliers to add low-carbon alternatives to their mix, sparking criticism from climate experts.
“It is now time for politicians to take us citizens seriously and create a secure future without fossil fuel dependence and a climate crisis,” said Beatrice Rindevall of the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, which is organizing the demonstration.
The protest is planned for Stockholm on August 23 ahead of the September 13 vote, with the government trailing in opinion polls.
The demonstration will bring together scores of orgnanizations and include researchers, youth and sports associations, trade unions, outdoor and rural organizations, religious communities and human rights associations.
“Never before in Swedish history have over 100 organizations from different sectors of civil society shown such unity for the climate,” organizers said.
Sweden has a goal of reducing CO2 emissions from transport by 70 percent by 2030 from 2010 levels, and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045.
But the government recently rejected a government-appointed commission’s recommendations on ways to meet the 2030, which included phasing out fossil fuels by hiking taxes on petrol and diesel.
“The gradual phase-out of fossil fuels must be carried out in a safe and acceptable way, so as to maintain and strengthen the competitiveness of Sweden and its companies,” the climate ministry said at the time.