When will Stockholm’s petrol and diesel car ban come into force?

1,000 Stockholmers die a year from air pollution. A Swedish ban on cars hopes to change that.

Sweden’s capital is banning petrol and diesel cars in its city centre to reduce pollution and slash emissions.

The new rules will come into force on 31 December 2024.

“In Stockholm, everyone should be able to breathe the air without getting sick,” traffic councillor and MP Lars Strömgren wrote on X – formerly Twitter. He goes on to envision a city with “outdoor seating and plenty of space for walking and cycling”.

This marks the first time the country has introduced such strict environmental rules for vehicles.

Where will combustion engine cars be banned in Stockholm?

The car ban covers 20 blocks in Stockholm’s city centre, including streets in the area within Kungsgatan, Birger Jarlsgatan, Hamngatan and Sveavägen.

These are areas where vehicles mostly make deliveries, according to Strömgren. By transitioning to electric vehicles, deliveries will not only be more sustainable but quieter – meaning they can be carried out around the clock, he added.

Once the ban comes into force at the end of 2024, only electric vehicles (EVs) and low emissions gas vehicles will be allowed to drive in the zone. Plug-in hybrid heavy goods vehicles will also be permitted.

Emergency vehicles and those with a disabled permit are not subject to the ban.

The 180,000-square-metre zone could be extended, pending discussions in early 2025.

It was initially set to be introduced in Gamla Stan – the city’s Old Town – too, but those plans have now been scrapped. Instead, the area will become a largely pedestrianised ‘urban environmental zone’, where 130 parking spaces will be removed to make space for walking and cycling, Swedish broadcaster SVT Nyheter reports.

Stockholm’s vision for a greener future

Sweden’s Green Party (Miljöpartiet) – part of the country’s ‘red-green’ coalition – has laid out plans for an emissions-free inner city in Stockholm by 2030.

This includes introducing environmental zones with vehicle controls in areas with poor quality, prohibiting cars in certain areas and on certain days, and reducing total car traffic by 30 per cent by 2030.

It states that 1,000 Stockholmers die prematurely each year due to air pollution – a figure it hopes to reduce with the new traffic measures.

Last year, Strömgren announced €2 billion in funding to improve pedestrian, bicycle and public transport infrastructure in Stockholm.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
   • Indicator: Number of deaths attributed to air pollution.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
   • Indicator: Proportion of urban population living in areas where air quality meets the World Health Organization’s guidelines.

The article addresses two Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. These goals are connected to the issues highlighted in the article, which include air pollution in Stockholm and the city’s efforts to reduce pollution and improve air quality.

Based on the article’s content, specific targets under these SDGs can be identified:

1. Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.

   The article mentions that 1,000 Stockholmers die prematurely each year due to air pollution. The city’s ban on petrol and diesel cars aims to reduce pollution and improve air quality, directly addressing this target.

2. Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.

   The article discusses Stockholm’s vision for a greener future, which includes introducing environmental zones with vehicle controls in areas with poor air quality and reducing total car traffic by 30% by 2030. These measures align with the target of reducing the adverse environmental impact of cities, particularly in terms of air quality.

The article mentions or implies indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Number of deaths attributed to air pollution: The article states that 1,000 Stockholmers die prematurely each year due to air pollution. This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 3.9.
• Proportion of urban population living in areas where air quality meets the World Health Organization’s guidelines: The article highlights Stockholm’s efforts to improve air quality and reduce pollution. This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 11.6.

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: euronews.com

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