Sweden climate march expected to draw 10,000

Around 10,000 people are expected to join a climate demonstration in Stockholm on Sunday, Swedish police and organisers said, weeks before Sweden’s September 13 general election.

More than 200 non-governmental organisations and associations are expected to take part in the march, which is due to start at 1:00 pm local time. Organisers said researchers, youth and sports associations, trade unions, outdoor and rural groups, religious communities and rights groups would be represented.

The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation is co-organising the demonstration. Its head, Beatrice Rindevall, said Sweden needed climate policies that reduce emissions immediately and pointed to summer heatwaves in Europe.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s right-wing government, backed by the Sweden Democrats, has cut petrol taxes and reduced requirements for petrol suppliers to add low-carbon alternatives to their mix since taking power in 2022.

Experts in Sweden and abroad have warned that the government’s climate policy jeopardises Sweden’s targets to cut transport CO2 emissions by 70% from 2010 levels by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 2045.

The government has argued that fossil fuels must be phased out gradually to preserve and strengthen Sweden’s competitiveness and companies.

A Verian opinion poll published by public broadcaster SVT on Thursday said 37% of respondents named climate as their top election priority, behind health care, education, crime and elderly care.