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Swedes push for climate change

Stephen Beard Jul 1, 2009
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Swedes push for climate change

Stephen Beard Jul 1, 2009
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RENITA JABLONSKI: Sweden claims it has produced a climate change miracle and it wants the U.S. and China to follow suit. The country is calling for deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions as it takes over the rotating EU presidency today. From our European Desk, Stephen Beard reports.


Stephen Beard: As the six-month-long presidency gets underway, the Swedes are already focusing on a major event in the December — the Copenhagen Summit on Climate Change. The Swedes want to persuade the key greenhouse gas polluters — the U.S. and China — to sign up to a new climate deal. That need not damage their economies, says Staffan Tillander, Sweden’s Climate Change Ambassador.

STAFFAN TILLANDER: In Sweden we’ve been able to show that it’s possible to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases while maintaining high economic growth rates.

Since 1990 the Swedish economy has grown by 50 percent, while the country cut carbon emissions by one-tenth. But the Swedish model won’t be an easy sell. It’s weaned the economy away from fossil fuels with a very hefty carbon tax, the equivalent of $1.25 on every gallon of gas.

In London this is Stephen Beard for Marketplace.

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