page_title: Making Sweden an Oil-Free Society
section_title: Energy use
hierarchical_section_title: Making Sweden an Oil-Free Society / Commission on Oil Independence / Energy use
caption_attribution_description: Svenska: Spårvagn 856 på Kungsportsavenyen i Göteborg 1999.
context_page_description: In 2005 the government of Sweden appointed a commission to draw up a comprehensive programme to reduce Sweden's dependence on petroleum, natural gas and other ‘fossil raw materials’ by 2020. In June 2006 the commission issued its report, entitled Making Sweden an Oil-Free Society. The report cited four reasons to reduce oil dependence:
  The impact of oil prices on Swedish economic growth and employment
  The link between oil, peace and security throughout the world
  The great potential to use Sweden's own clean renewable energy resources in place of oil
  The threat of climate change resulting from the extensive burning of fossil fuels
  As of 2005, oil supplies provided about 32% of the country's energy supply, with nuclear power and hydroelectricity providing much of the remainder. Although the report did not propose to end the use of oil entirely, the 2020 date was suggested as a marker on a continuing process of the "oil phase-out in Sweden".
  Following defeat of the incumbent government coalition in the 2006 general election, the proposals were not included in the energy policy or in any law.
context_section_description: To cut energy use, the commission anticipated that by 2020 at least 75% of all new housing would use low-energy building techniques similar to the German Passive house standard, and that it will also be necessary to modernize the existing housing stock, including replacing direct electric heating systems (with systems heated by district heating, biofuels or heat pumps).
  They also expect there to be a greater use of teleworking, video conferencing and web conferencing, public transport, sea transport, hybrid vehicles, and smaller, lighter, biodiesel cars.
  As part of reducing industrial consumption, it is proposed that carbon allowances issued in Sweden under the European Union Emission Trading Scheme should be cut to 75% of their initial levels by 2020.
  The taxation system is also likely to be used to influence energy choices, together with education and public awareness initiatives.
caption: Gothenburg tram system, 1999.
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