Environmental Accounts – Emissions to air 2024
Greenhouse gas emissions from the Swedish economy increased by 7 per cent in 2024
Statistical news from Statistics Sweden 2026-03-26 8.00
Greenhouse gas emissions from the Swedish economy amounted to 52 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents in 2024, representing an increase of 7.2 per cent compared with the previous year. The rise in emissions is mainly attributable to higher use of fossil diesel, which has had a significant impact on the industry groups construction (SNI 41–43) and land transport (SNI 49). Over the same period, GDP increased by 1 per cent, resulting in a 6.2 per cent increase in greenhouse gas intensity in the economy in 2024.
Final statistics for 2024 show that greenhouse gas emissions from the Swedish economy amounted to 52 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents. This represents an increase of 7.2 per cent compared with 2023, equivalent to 3.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents.
Between 2008 and 2024, greenhouse gas emissions from the Swedish economy decreased by a total of 23 per cent. Over the same period, GDP in constant prices grew by 28 per cent. Greenhouse gas emissions followed economic developments between 2008 and 2010. From 2010 to 2023, emissions generally declined while the economy continued to grow, leading to a reduction in greenhouse gas intensity. Between 2023 and 2024, the increase in greenhouse gas emissions exceeded economic growth, resulting in a rise in greenhouse gas intensity (see figure 1).
Emissions of greenhouse gases and economic development. GDP at market prices in constant prices with 2020 as the reference year. 2008–2024, index 2008=100.
Emissions increased in most sectors
In 2024, greenhouse gas emissions increased in most sectors, with the largest rises observed in construction (+34 %) and in companies within land and pipeline transport (+29 %). The increase in these industries is attributable to higher use of fossil diesel. One sector that moves in the opposite direction is the sector for other non-metallic mineral products, which reduced its emissions (–9 %).
Greenhouse gas emissions from the Swedish economy, 2008, 2020 and 2024, by aggregated industry group (SNI 2007), kilotonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents
Biogenic emissions decreased in 2024
The use of biogenic fuels such as wood, biogas, HVO and biogenic waste gives rise to biogenic carbon dioxide emissions. In 2024, emissions of carbon dioxide from biogenic fuels amounted to 48 million tonnes, corresponding to a decrease of 9 per cent compared with the previous year. Biogenic carbon dioxide emissions occur mainly in the energy sector and in manufacturing industries, where a large share of stationary combustion takes place. Since 2008, total biogenic carbon dioxide emissions have increased by 12 per cent.
Biogenic carbon dioxide emissions are reported separately from fossil emissions because the extraction of biomass is is monitored within the land use sector (LULUCF) under international commitments, such as the Paris Agreement. To ensure that all carbon dioxide emissions are accounted for in the statistics, biogenic carbon dioxide emissions from the Swedish economy are therefore presented as a separate category.
Biogenic carbon dioxide emissions in 2008, 2020 and 2024 (kilotonnes), aggregated by industry (SNI 2007)
Definitions and explanations
Environmental Accounts are based on the National Accounts and present national environmental statistics and economic statistics within a common framework. This enables analysis of the links between the economy and the environment.
The statistics report production-based emissions to air by industry from the Swedish economy, including households. The statistics cover emissions from Swedish enterprises and individuals occurring both outside and within Sweden’s borders. Emissions are presented using the same industry classification as in national economic statistics, i.e., the National Accounts. Emissions generated in other countries as a result of Swedish imports of goods and services are not included.
For comparison, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency reports territorial emissions to air, i.e., emissions occurring within Swedish borders. The difference between the Environmental Protection Agency’s territorial perspective and the Environmental Accounts’ production perspective is that the latter excludes emissions generated by foreign enterprises within Sweden, but includes emissions from Swedish enterprises abroad. The presentation of the statistics also differs: Environmental Accounts report emissions by industry, while the Environmental Protection Agency reports emissions by use category. More information is available on the Environmental Protection Agency’s website under “Three ways to calculate climate‑impacting emissions” (in Swedish).
Greenhouse gases expressed in terms of carbon dioxide equivalents are calculated as an aggregate of CO₂ (fossil), CH₄, N₂O, HFCs, PFCs and SF₆. The conversion factors (Greenhouse Warming Potentials, GWP) used to calculate carbon dioxide equivalents are the same as those applied in reporting under the Paris Agreement[1].
Revisions
A number of revisions have been made since the previous publication.
- Revisions due to updated input data are carried out on a continuous basis and have also been implemented this year.
- Several new emission factors have been introduced as a result of revisions in the IPCC reporting.
More information about these updates can be found on the Environmental Accounts website www.scb.se/mi1301 under the heading Documentation.
[1] https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/02/WG1AR5_Chapter08_FINAL.pdf (Table 8.A.1, GWP 100-year).
Comments
Constant prices is preliminary regarding 2024