Could this move reduce emissions?
2040 seems like a long way off, but in reality, it’s only 19 years away, when the babies of today will be old enough to drive. By then, the world will look very different, and by extension so will Stockholm. Sweden is a country with ambitious environmental aims, and the city of Stockholm is world-leading when it comes to sustainable living. Therefore, it is not surprising that the city wants to do something about the traffic which still guzzles up gas and emits fumes into our atmosphere.
Accordingly, The Swedish Transport Ministry has set its sights on three goals to try and meet goals that would have us living in a far healthier society:
- By 2040, 90% of new cars sold should be rechargeable and electric
- Companies that supply fuel must stick to strict guidelines and timelines to ensure that they are reducing their greenhouse gas emissions in line with government plans.
- Petrol prices and diesel prices will double between now and 2040.
Mitti Stockholm quotes Jonas Eliasson, target director at the Swedish Transport Administration as having said: ‘We need this [the three goals] partly for our own climate goals. Partly to show the rest of the world that this is a possible road’.
Not everybody will agree that the fuel price increase will be a good thing, however, it is worth noting that as we begin to see more electric cars on our streets, fewer cars will need petrol and gas. As the world changes, Stockholm wants to be front and centre, showing other cities how it’s done. You can read up on government policy and updates on the official website.