3.2.1 An overview

In 2015 Sweden had a GDP of 492,6 million USD, 9,8 million of inhabitants and an unemployment rate of 7,4%.12It is in 2016, the 22nd largest economy in the world.3 Sweden has been referred to as a leader in sustainable practices and as a pioneer in environmental policy.4 According to Robeco’s study, Sweden was considered in 2015 “the most sustainable country in the world”5 In the 2016 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World index, 4 companies were Swedish.6 Sweden is amongst the most innovative OECD countries in environment-related technology. It has introduced a carbon tax in 1991, being the first country in the world implementing such measure.7 Between 1990 and 2006, Sweden cut its carbon emissions by 9%, exceeding the target set by the Kyoto Protocol while registering 44% of economic growth.8 It was one of the first countries to understand and show that “green is not only compatible with growth; green is a source of growth.”910For example, in 2005 the Swedish green sector registered a total turnover of £20bn and employed 90,000 people.11 In the region of Östergötland, in particular in Norrköping, there are more than 500 green companies, worth around £830m in revenues and accounting for 10% of Sweden’s total exports.12 Since 1993, local politicians have been leaders in green issues and since then political orientation has not stepped in between, giving the time necessary to build the green processes over the years.13 The Swedish reuse, recycle or use for energy and heat, 99% of their waste and only 1% end up in a landfill.14 The Swedish Government aims at having 100% of renewable sources of energy production and to ensure the long-term sustainable and secure energy supply.15 Sweden has the EU’s highest proportion of renewable energy in its energy use, which is over 43%. For electricity, the country relies on hydroelectric and nuclear power.16