Climate change poses an unprecedented threat to our lives and societies. It has immense consequences for human security across the globe. It is obvious that the way we organise our society and make use of natural resources are having a global long term impact on the ecosystem of our planet. The old model of achieving wealth through excessive use of natural resources has proved to be outdated. Some may argue that the call for a paradigm shift of development is too challenging. Sweden, however, sees a land of opportunities in transforming Sweden and the world towards sustainable development.

It falls on governments to demonstrate political leadership to realize the Paris Agreement. As governments, we should introduce the necessary legislation to provide a long-term and predictable environment for society. Sweden is willing to show leadership. The policy instruments introduced have had a significant effect so far, and emissions have fallen by around 25 % in absolute numbers between 1990 and 2015, while the economy has grown by 75 %. That is good, but far from enough. With broad support from the parliament the government introduced a climate policy framework with a climate act for Sweden in June 2017. This framework is the most important climate reform in Sweden's history and sets out implementation of the Paris Agreement in Sweden. The framework contains new ambitious climate goals, a climate act and plans for a new climate policy council. The framework contains the following climate goals for Sweden:

• Net zero emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere by 2045, and thereafter negative emissions. Emissions from activities in Sweden must be at least 85 % lower than in 1990. Based on current population forecasts for Sweden, this means that emissions in Sweden will be less than one tonne per person by 2045.
• By 2030, emissions from domestic transport, excluding domestic aviation, shall be reduced by at least 70 % compared with 2010.
• Emissions in the sectors outside the EU emission trading scheme should be at least 63 % lower in 2030 and at least 75 % lower in 2040, as compared to 1990.

These goals mean Sweden undertakes to achieve emission reductions that far exceed Sweden's required emission reductions under EU legislation. Sweden therefore is already moving beyond the commitment by the EU within the Paris Agreement, and encourages other countries to do the same.

In this seventh Swedish National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), a comprehensive summary of Sweden's efforts to combat climate change is provided. Emissions and removals of greenhouse gases are reported for each sector and adopted and planned policy measures and their impact on emissions are described. The report contains projections for emissions up to 2020 and 2030. According to these projections, emissions will continue to decrease, and the national target for 2020 is within reach with national measures alone.

The National Communication also describes Sweden's vulnerability and efforts to adapt to climate change. Sweden's contributions to climate finance are presented, as are research and development. Finally, a description is provided of Sweden's work on education, training and public awareness regarding climate change. The material on which the National Communication is based has been obtained through extensive activity and input from around ten government agencies, led by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.