In March 2009 a group of Swedish Climate Advocates launched their campaign for a “Green New Deal” during a conference on the same topic hosted by the University of Stockholm. At this time their website and Facebook group simultaneously opened up to the public, their pursuit for supporters for the campaign began.
The issue has attracted significant media and public interest; on Newsmill, the biggest and most important debate site in Sweden, Advocates published a debate article signed by over 30 leading climate scientists calling for a Green New Deal and later on in the spring the signatures raised will be handed over to the government.
The origins of the Green New Deal began in auumn 2008 when the group of like-minded Climate Advocates decided what they wanted to do. Inspired by a similar initiative in the UK and drawing inspiration from the programme launched in the wake of the Great Crash in 1929, the Swedish Advocate team wrote a proposal for a Green New Deal which included a strong set of recommendations for the Swedish government on how to handle the both the climate and economical crisis. The report can be summarised in points:
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The development of a long-term climate plan and vision for a low-carbon energy system
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The introduction of a Climate Department, Climate Minister and Climate Budget
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The introduction of a new financial system for climate investments (taxes, fees, legislation, subsidies etc.)
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The introduction of an annual Climate Impact Assessment of the state budget (leading to the eventual phasing out of investments that increase carbon emissions)
The Swedish Climate Advocates are now looking to further influence Swedish policymakers and politicians who can support and contribute to the implementation of this programme; the overall aim being to generate greater and more transparent public debate on the climate policy both in Sweden, within Europe and further abroad. For more information on ways to support the campaign you can download their report (in English) and sign up to the initiative on the Green New Deal website: http://www.greennewdeal.se/
