Sweden pushes EU climate action

Sweden has called on the European Union to take the lead in fighting climate change despite facing the worst economic downturn since the 1930s.

Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt said the EU should reach a common position ahead of a major international climate conference in Copenhagen in December.

Climate change is “coming quicker and earlier than we thought” and our way of living is “not sustainable”, he said.

Sweden has taken over the revolving presidency of the EU. Mr Reinfeldt, during the presidency, will also try to make headway on financial regulation, the fate of the stalled Lisbon treaty and admitting new members.

The slogan of the Swedish presidency is “taking on the challenge” and Mr Reinfeldt sees a lot of challenges over the next six months. His priority is to persuade all 27 EU countries to speak with one voice on climate change, in order to get the US and other major polluters such as China to sign up to substantial cuts in greenhouse gas emissions in December.