Sweden, as one of few industrial countries in the world, has managed to cut the interconnection between economical growth and increased emissions of greenhouse gases. Last year, the emissions decreased with 1,7 %. Since 1990, the Swedish emissions have decreased with 8,7 % while the economic growth has been 44 %.

Increased usage of long-distance heating
The reasons behind last year´s decrease are said to be the increased usage of long-distance heating and the diminishing emissions from road traffic. A contributing explanation is that more and more environment-friendly cars are used and more private cars, than ever before, are diesel-powered. The emissions from domestic flights have also decreased, according to Swedish Minister of Environment, Andreas Carlgren, who presented the figures during the Climate Conference at Bali . It is possible to combine a growing economy with reducing emissions, he said.

Source: Göteborgs-Posten

Facts /Long-distance heating

· 50 % of all heating in real estates and housing in Sweden is due to long-distance heating (district heating). It is the most common way of heating in Sweden.   

· Approx. 80 % of this is renewable energy sources such as wood fuel, sorted waste etc.

· Göteborg Region is world leading when it comes to this type of heating: approx. 90 % of all real estates in Göteborg inner area, the municipalities of Mölndal and Partille are connected to a long-distance heating system. This has made it possible to close thousands of warming-pans during the last years which have contributed to a more clean air in this region.

· About 75 % of long-distance heating in Göteborg Region is waste heat from industries, waste water and waste incineration. The rest is from bio-fuel heated thermal power station. A small amount is natural gas.