Carbon budgets as a framework for a coordinated climate transition

Purpose and goal

The aim of the project is to increase the pace, effectiveness and democratic anchoring in the Swedish climate transition. This is done by developing a method for raising knowledge, inclusive dialogue and using carbon budgets as a framework to produce concrete roadmaps that can be used as a basis for decision-making in municipalities, regions, businesses and industry. By setting climate goals based on a carbon budget, more sharpness and clarity is created than with Sweden´s current net zero goals, and it becomes easier to distribute responsibility among various societal actors.

Expected results and effects

Expected results are that the project parties strengthen their ability to participate in a qualitative dialogue about climate change, and co-create a process for how climate goals expressed in total carbon dioxide emissions can be distributed. This method is made publicly available, leading to a more coordinated and effective transition in society. At the national level, a prototype is created for using carbon budgets in practice through quantitative roadmaps, based on a transition through increased renewable energy production, increased efficiency and changed consumption.

Planned approach and implementation

The project is divided into three parts. The first is about developing and implementing basic education in the current climate situation and the climate transition. The second is to develop possible quantified roadmaps that correspond to different ambition levels in Swedish climate policy, and to train participating organizations in the roadmaps. In the third part, a process is developed and tested on how to discuss and negotiate within Sweden about how a national carbon budget can be distributed between sectors and municipalities in a socio-economically effective and feasible way.