Report highlights progress towards zero emissions

The knowledge and technology needed to accelerate the climate transition are known, and the costs to society are relatively low, according to research from the eight-year Mistra Carbon Exit research programme.

Technologies that can halve emissions already exist, and the industrial sector is pushing for a more ambitious and predictable climate policy. They realize that if Europe does not develop green technology, China and the United States will. The first to develop fossil-free technology will capture market share in a growing global market, says Lars Zetterberg, climate expert at IVL and programme manager for Mistra Carbon Exit.

Based on Sweden's net zero emissions target, researchers have studied the technical, economic and political challenges of transforming various value chains. The focus has been on buildings, transport and transport infrastructure, which together account for about 75 percent of Sweden's greenhouse gas emissions. A number of technical roadmaps have been developed, including for cement and steel production, electricity systems, and the construction and transport industries.

Strategic decisions are often made early in the process, and they subsequently affect the entire chain. What we can see is that industry is willing to transition, while transformative technology is more difficult, more expensive and financially risky. This means that incentives – i.e. instruments – need to be strengthened in order to drive development, Zetterberg adds.

Marginal cost increase

According to the researchers at Mistra Carbon Exit, available technologies can halve emissions, but more transformative technologies, such as the electrification of industrial processes and transport, are needed to approach zero emissions.

For certain industries, the costs will be high. But the cost increase for consumers will be marginal. For example, carbon-neutral cement costs almost twice as much as traditional cement, but it only adds about 0.5 percent to the cost of the finished apartment, says Filip Johnsson, deputy programme director for Mistra Carbon Exit and professor at Chalmers University of Technology.

Much of industry's development is influenced by EU policy. The uncertain geopolitical situation, combined with Europe's reliance on trade, has changed the conditions for the EU's climate policy, but researchers at Mistra Carbon Exit are certain that in Europe, the green transition will continue.

The green transition will reduce Europe's import reliance, and benefit its industry. Therefore it is important that Swedish politicians support ambitious climate policies – both in the EU and in Sweden.

Industrial development depends on good forward planning and clear political directives. And to stimulate the development of green technology in both Sweden and the EU, we need long-term investments and a shared view on risk, says Filip Johnsson.

Read the report: Unlocking the Climate Transition: Golden Nuggets from Mistra Carbon Exit External link, opens in new window.

In case of questions, contact:
Lars Zetterberg, lars.zetterberg@ivl.se, tel. +46 (0)10-788 65 57
Filip Johnsson, filip.johnsson@chalmers.se, tel. +46 (0)31-772 14 49