Press release 12 September 2007
Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications
Ministry of the Environment
Ministry of Agriculture

Climate billion to be presented in the budget

The Government is strengthening Sweden´s climate efforts. The upcoming Budget Bill will allocate a further SEK 1 billion for 2008 to 2010.

Minister for Enterprise and Energy Maud Olofsson, Minister for the Environment Andreas Carlgren and Minister for Agriculture Eskil Erlandsson presented the contents of the climate billion yesterday. SEK 245 million will be allocated in 2008, SEK 415 million in 2009 and SEK 340 million in 2010.

The climate billion will strengthen efforts that the Government considers necessary and correct in the short term, and supplements other action for the climate.

The climate billion will bring increased efforts in a range of areas.

Energy efficiency measures

The investment in energy efficiency will include procurement and market introduction of energy-efficient technology, energy declaration requirements for buildings, climate advice for consumers and business operators, and development of climate labelling of products and services. SEK 120 million will be invested in these areas in 2008, SEK 130 million in 2009 and SEK 60 million in 2010.

Climate research

The Government is increasing the appropriation provided to the Rossby Centre at the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute to prepare climate models and scenarios to support policy decisions. SEK 24 million will be invested in this area in the period until 2010.

Pilot and demonstration projects for second-generation biofuels

Sweden has good potential to position itself as a leader in the work of developing second-generation biofuels. In all, a further SEK 150 million will be invested in this area over the three-year period.

Network for windfarming

A national windfarming network will be created to promote more knowledge about wind power by strengthening existing initiatives and contributing to the establishment of new regional nodal points in the wind power area. SEK 20 million will be invested in this each year in 2008 and 2009.

Sustainable yield of bioenergy in agriculture and forestry

Methods to achieve a sustainable yield of by-products from the forestry sector will be tested in pilot projects, in which the role of the forest as a carbon sink will also be studied. An action plan will be drawn up to increase bioenergy on forest and arable land. SEK 40 million will be invested in this in 2008 and 2009.

International climate investments

Far-reaching climate measures in Sweden will be supplemented by international climate initiatives. These will contribute to sustainable development, transfer of environmental technology and stronger international climate cooperation. SEK 32 million will be invested each year, making a total of SEK 96 million.

Programme for sustainable cities and communities

A sustainable cities programme will be developed. This investment will promote integrated solutions for water, energy and wastewater, conversion and new construction to produce buildings with minimal heating needs. It will also be part of introducing new technology that makes it possible to reduce the need of energy. These funds can be used to make it easier for companies and municipalities to substantially raise their environmental and climate performance by minimising resource and energy use. In all, SEK 340 million will be invested in 2009 and 2010.