Sweden: environment

What are Sweden's greenhouse gas emissions?

Sweden's territorial greenhouse gas emissions were 46.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2025, excluding land use and forestry, just under 3% less than in 2024, according to preliminary figures from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket).

Naturvårdsverket says domestic transport accounted for the largest fall, because a higher fuel reduction obligation cut fossil fuel use. Final figures for 2024 show 48.1 million tonnes, up just over 7% on 2023. Territorial emissions cover what is emitted within Sweden, not emissions caused abroad by Swedish consumption.

Official sources: Naturvårdsverket: Växthusgaser, territoriella utsläpp och upptag

How much of Sweden's energy is renewable?

Renewables supplied 65.4% of Sweden's gross final energy consumption in 2025 and 89.2% of its electricity, according to Eurostat. The energy share was 62.8% in 2024; the electricity share was 88.1%.

The figures follow the EU renewable energy directive's accounting rules. The electricity share counts hydro, wind, biomass and solar power; nuclear power is not renewable and is not included. Detailed national energy statistics are published by the Swedish Energy Agency.

Official sources: Eurostat: Share of energy from renewable sources (nrg_ind_ren) · Energimyndigheten

What are Sweden's CO2 emissions per person?

Sweden emitted 37.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2024, excluding land use and forestry, according to the World Bank. With a population of about 10.6 million, that is roughly 3.6 tonnes per person.

This counts CO2 only; total greenhouse gases, which also include methane and nitrous oxide, are higher and are published by Naturvårdsverket. People in Sweden were exposed to an average of 5.3 micrograms of fine particles (PM2.5) per cubic metre in 2023, according to the World Bank.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions excluding LULUCF · World Bank: PM2.5 mean annual exposure

What is Sweden's carbon footprint per person?

3.6 tonnes: that is carbon dioxide emissions per person in Sweden for 2024, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. The peak was 6.1 tonnes in 2006 and the low 3.5 tonnes in 2023. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 5.1 tonnes, and Sweden placed 38th highest of 46. World rank, highest first: 73rd of 186.

What are Sweden's emissions?

52.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent: that is total greenhouse gas emissions in Sweden for 2024, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. Since 2005 it has ranged from 51.4 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (2023) to 72.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (2006). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 53.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, and Sweden placed 25th highest of 46. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 76th highest.

How much of Sweden's energy is renewable?

According to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO, the renewable share of final energy use in Sweden was 57.9% in 2021. No year since 2005 has been higher. Europe & Central Asia median: 20.4%; Sweden is 3rd highest of 50. Of 191 countries with 2021 data, 40th highest.

What share of Sweden is covered by forest?

The FAO puts forest area as a share of land in Sweden at 68.6% in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 69.0%; its low point was 2020, at 68.6%. Europe & Central Asia median: 33.2%; Sweden is 2nd highest of 51. World rank, highest first: 18th of 190.

What is air pollution like in Sweden?

The Global Burden of Disease study puts average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Sweden at 5.3 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 13.0 micrograms per cubic metre; Sweden is 49th highest of 51. World rank, highest first: 182nd of 192.

How much of Sweden's land is protected?

15.8%: that is the share of land in protected areas in Sweden for 2025, according to the UN Environment Programme. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2013. It is 38th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 22.1%. Worldwide: 111th of 192.

Is Sweden short of water?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2022, is 3.6%. Its high point since 2005 was 2010, at 3.9%; its low point was 2015, at 3.4%. Europe & Central Asia median: 12.6%; Sweden is 40th highest of 47. Of 175 countries with 2022 data, 133rd highest.