Volvo builds a world-first vehicle using fossil-free steel
SSAB plans to begin producing its fossil-free steel at scale in 2026, while Volvo plans to have an entirely climate-neutral business by 2050, including its supply chain.
Sweden
This archive collects solutions-journalism stories and milestones from Sweden — covering advances in clean energy, public health, social policy, and more. Each entry highlights real progress, grounded in evidence, from one of Europe’s most closely watched testing grounds for civic and environmental innovation.
First fossil-free steel delivered to Volvo cars in Sweden
HYBRIT — a joint venture between SSAB, Vattenfall, and mining company LKAB — aims to revolutionize a steel industry that, by some estimates, produces nearly 10% of all harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
Volvo announces plan to develop fossil-free steel
In a bid to meet its stated “carbon free” goals, Volvo is teaming up with Swedish steel manufacturer SSAB and its HYBRIT initiative, which is being called “the industry’s most ambitious and advanced project” in terms of fossil-free steel development.
Polestar pledges to produce the first-ever carbon-neutral car by 2030
“We’re electric, so we don’t have to worry about combustion engines producing toxic emissions – but that doesn’t mean our job is done,” says Polestar’s Head of Sustainability, Fredrika Klarén. “We will now work to eradicate all emissions stemming from production.”
Volvo is going fully electric by 2030
The Swedish automaker will also be phasing out leather interiors as well to meet its sustainability goals.
World’s largest hydrogen “green steel” plant to open in Sweden by 2024
H2 Green Steel (H2GS) will use hydrogen produced with renewable energy from Sweden’s Boden-Luleå region. By 2030, H2GS expects to be producing five million tons of high-quality zero-emissions steel annually.
Gothenburg, Sweden develops world’s first zero-emissions zone
The developers hope to make the city one of the world’s largest-scale testing grounds for zero-emission technologies. If the initiative works as proposed, Gothenburg Green City Zone will implement 100% emission-free transport modes by 2030.
New design uses huge 80-meter sails to reduce cargo shipping emissions by 90%
The Oceanbird is capable of transporting up to 7,000 cars at an average speed of 10 knots on a North Atlantic crossing. It’s four colossal 80-meter (260-ft) high extendable wing sails promise to reduce emissions by as much as 90 percent.
IKEA put 1 million solar panels on 370 stores in 2019
In 2019, IKEA invested $2.8 billion in renewable energy infrastructure. IKEA put 1 million solar panels on 370 0f its stores and warehouses, and also built 535 wind turbines and 2 solar parks.
Legalising gay marriage caused dramatic fall in suicides in Denmark and Sweden, study finds
A 46 per cent fall in suicides among people in same-sex marriages was recorded by comparing two time periods in Denmark and Sweden – from 1989 to 2002, and 2003 to 2016.