Identifying policy instruments to reduce environmental footprints

This policy brief outlines a three-step analytical approach to identify and prioritize policy instruments for reducing a country's external environmental footprint, using Sweden as a case study. It identifies approximately 60 existing or potential instruments and recommends a multi-sectoral strategy involving tax adjustments, public procurement criteria, and bilateral cooperation with producer countries to achieve the 'Generational Goal' of solving environmental problems without increasing them outside Swedish borders.

• The study developed a three-step analytical approach to identify policy instruments: mapping the national consumption profile, identifying relevant instruments via 'hotspot' and 'policy instrument' methods, and classifying/prioritizing those instruments for an action strategy.
• In the Swedish case study, the authors identified approximately 60 existing, modified, or new policy instruments to reduce external footprints.
• The 'hotspot' method identified specific high-impact supply chains for Sweden, notably electronic equipment imported from China and soy imported from Brazil.
• Sweden's primary import product categories contributing to its footprint include electronic products, vehicles, food, and textiles.
• The document argues that achieving sustainable consumption requires systemic changes beyond consumer will, such as adjusting the tax system, increasing legal requirements for product lifespans (durability and warranties), and improving public procurement sustainability criteria.
• The brief recommends using bilateral cooperation to strengthen environmental governance in producer countries and expanding the export of Swedish environmental technology.
• The authors suggest applying the principles of existing EU directives, such as the one restricting hazardous substances in electronics (2002/95/EC), to other categories like toys and textiles.

APA

Persson, L., & Persson, Å. (2015). Identifying policy instruments to reduce environmental footprints. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/sei-pb-2015-policy-instruments-to-reduce-environmental-footprints.pdf

Chicago

Persson, Linn, and Åsa Persson. Identifying policy instruments to reduce environmental footprints. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2015. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/sei-pb-2015-policy-instruments-to-reduce-environmental-footprints.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Persson |first1=Linn |last2=Persson |first2=Åsa |title=Identifying policy instruments to reduce environmental footprints |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=2015 |url=https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/sei-pb-2015-policy-instruments-to-reduce-environmental-footprints.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{persson2015identifying, author = {Persson, Linn and Persson, Åsa}, title = {{Identifying policy instruments to reduce environmental footprints}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2015}, url = {https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/sei-pb-2015-policy-instruments-to-reduce-environmental-footprints.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }