strategies-for-governing-fair-lowcarbon-transport-transitions-in-sweden-and-beyond-7537b5ac7d4a5185.pdf

This briefing from the Stockholm Environment Institute outlines the socioeconomic and geographic risks associated with Sweden's transition to a low-carbon transport system. It identifies vulnerable populations—particularly those in low-density areas and low-income households—and proposes a framework of transition assistance policies (TAPs) to ensure the transition is socially equitable and politically viable.

• Approximately 40% of the Swedish population is at high risk of being adversely affected by low-carbon transition plans without supportive complementary measures. This group, characterized by a significant share of older and retired individuals, as well as some young singles, low-income students, and young to middle-aged families, represents the highest proportion of total greenhouse gas emissions in Sweden despite having the lowest per capita footprint.
• Households in low-population density areas that are also at risk of poverty or social exclusion are most susceptible to negative wealth and access effects. These groups depend heavily on cars and face long distances to essential services like health, retail, and education, while having restricted public transport options and limited access to the health benefits of reduced pollution compared to those in denser areas.
• Vulnerable groups identify three primary fairness concerns regarding the transport transition: income, place of residence/access to alternatives, and the pace of the transition. Low-income and retired individuals specifically fear that increased car costs will lead to social exclusion, diminished independence, and a reduced quality of life, while noting that charging infrastructure often favors homeowners.
• To support vulnerable groups, the document proposes a policy support framework consisting of four key strategies: 1) transport system design and structural measures (investing in rural and urban periphery infrastructure), 2) group-tailored transition assistance policies (TAPs) (such as differentiated pricing and EV subsidies for low-income groups), 3) mitigation of related vulnerabilities (addressing housing affordability and access to services), and 4) evaluation, transparency, and policy flexibility.
• The document argues that targeted support is not only a matter of social equity but is essential for environmental effectiveness and political feasibility. Because the most vulnerable group also accounts for the highest total greenhouse gas emissions in Sweden, tailoring policies to their specific socioeconomic and geographic circumstances is critical for the success of the transition.

APA

Stockholm Environment Institute (n.d.). strategies-for-governing-fair-lowcarbon-transport-transitions-in-sweden-and-beyond-7537b5ac7d4a5185.pdf. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/170946/strategies-for-governing-fair-lowcarbon-transport-transitions-in-sweden-and-beyond.pdf

Chicago

Stockholm Environment Institute. strategies-for-governing-fair-lowcarbon-transport-transitions-in-sweden-and-beyond-7537b5ac7d4a5185.pdf. n.d. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/170946/strategies-for-governing-fair-lowcarbon-transport-transitions-in-sweden-and-beyond.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Stockholm Environment Institute |title=strategies-for-governing-fair-lowcarbon-transport-transitions-in-sweden-and-beyond-7537b5ac7d4a5185.pdf |url=https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/170946/strategies-for-governing-fair-lowcarbon-transport-transitions-in-sweden-and-beyond.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{stockholmenvironmentinstitutendstrategiesforgoverningfairlowcarbontransporttransitionsinswedenandbeyond7537b5ac7d4a5185pdf, author = {{Stockholm Environment Institute}}, title = {{strategies-for-governing-fair-lowcarbon-transport-transitions-in-sweden-and-beyond-7537b5ac7d4a5185.pdf}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, url = {https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/170946/strategies-for-governing-fair-lowcarbon-transport-transitions-in-sweden-and-beyond.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }