Slim prospects for Gothenburg to reach climate goals by 2030

Stop working in silos, set aside more funds for long-term investments for the climate transition and demand that the city's largest emission sources - the oil refineries - switch to renewable raw materials or capture and store carbon dioxide. These are some of the recommendations from the independent experts of the Gothenburg Climate Council, who have now issued their first report to the City of Gothenburg. They conclude that the city has a slim chance of achieving its climate targets by 2030.

The Gothenburg Climate Council is tasked with analyzing Gothenburg's climate work and was established in 2022 to review, advise and propose measures to reduce climate impact - thereby helping the City of Gothenburg achieve its climate goals. In its first report, the Council focuses on how the City of Gothenburg can reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

The city's goal is a climate footprint close to zero by 2030, which means an annual reduction of 10.3 per cent. Between 2018 and 2021, the annual reduction has only been a couple of per cent, which is a completely inadequate rate to reach the target.

The refineries are large emission sources

The report notes that half of the emissions in Gothenburg come from the two oil refineries. For the city's target to be met, the refineries must either switch to renewable raw materials or capture and store carbon dioxide. Both measures require very large investments.

"Gothenburg must influence the refineries to significantly reduce their emissions," says Fredrik Hedenus, chair of the Climate Council and Professor at Chalmers University of Technology. Chalmers researchers Frances Sprei and Holger Wallbaum are also members of the council.

"Since the residual heat from the refineries heats the houses in Gothenburg, the municipality could conceivably make demands. It might be possible to pay more for district heating if it were not associated with emissions. This could increase the incentive for refineries to make the necessary investments," says Fredrik Hedenus.

The Gothenburg Climate Council also identifies reducing emissions from waste incineration in Sävenäs and traffic as absolutely essential if the emissions target is to be achieved.

The city needs a robust climate strategy

The Council recommends that the City of Gothenburg develop a robust climate strategy, that can be implemented even if decisions in the outside world point in other directions. This work needs to take place in close dialogue with key actors in the city administration, municipal companies and others.

The Climate Council also proposes that the City of Gothenburg improves its systems for collecting data and develops its working methods. The City of Gothenburg needs to better coordinate the work between committees and municipal companies and increase cooperation with private companies, non-profit organizations and community organizations. And provide opportunities for long-term investments outside the regular budget.