Sweden's climate policy faces a critical challenge as the country's forests, once a robust carbon sink, are now growing at a slower rate.

This decline in forest growth, coupled with high levels of logging, has reduced the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed from the atmosphere.

The situation is exacerbated by the EU's stringent targets for carbon storage in forests and land, which are crucial for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. If Sweden fails to meet these targets, it may have to shift the burden to the transportation sector, potentially leading to higher fuel prices.

Experts suggest that reducing logging or implementing a carbon trading system for fuel could be solutions, but these measures come with economic and political challenges.

The urgency to address this issue is mounting, as Sweden must report its progress to the EU by 2027, with significant implications for future climate strategies.