Sweden
Did you know that Vänsterpartiet has the most progressive climate politics? Meanwhile, Centerpartiet has strong political demands in terms of water safety and toxic chemicals? We took the temperature of some of the political parties in Sweden and this was our result. Check out below where we have summarised the parties’ political demands.
Please note though, it was rather difficult to score the Swedish parties on how ecofeminist their EU politics is. The reason for it is because the manifestos varied a lot in length, some were 3 pages long while others were 40. It means that some of the most progressive parties did not go deep enough into the topics, while the less progressive parties touched a lot of issues but missed the bar for the social impact analysis.
The parties we looked at
- Feministiskt Initiativ – manifesto, 3 pages
- Vänsterpartiet – manifesto, 7 pages
- Socialdemokraterna – manifesto, 7 pages (updated 6 May 2019)
- Miljöpartiet – manifesto, 28 pages (updated 2 May 2019)
- Centerpartiet – manifesto, 13 pages
- Liberalerna – manifesto, 40 pages
- Kristdemokraterna – manifesto, 4 pages
- Moderaterna – manifesto, 6 pages (updated 6 May 2019)
- Sverigedemokraterna – manifesto, 34 pages
Ecofeminist scorecard
Remember, the scorecard is a first step in finding your way through party jargon. It is based on party manifestos. From past experience, we know that manifestos can be filled with empty words. So we encourage you to dig deeper, to read articles and look at how they have voted within the EU in the past. It might also be useful to check up which EU group your party belongs to, and the EU parties' manifestos.
Committed
This scoring indicates that the party has made a strong social impact analysis on the issue and mentioned many of policies which is listed under the heading on the left-hand side on the scorecard.
Partially committed
This scoring indicates that the party has demands around the issue, but the social impact analysis is lacking or very weak.
Not committed
This scoring indicates that the party has either not mentioned the issue at all in their manifesto, or the committment is there but it is very vague as to how they will achieve it. It might also mean that the party is actively opposed taken action on the issue.
Scoring
Drastic action on climate change, now!
Feministiskt Initiativ
Want a radical climate policy responding to our urgent climate crises. They have a progressice intersectional feminist anlysis based on gender equality and himan rights and stress the importance of global solidarity. They believe in the polluters pay principle and stress that climate change is human-made.
Vänsterpartiet
Have a strong social impact analysis in their demand for robust climate action to further system change and not climate change. They want higher ambitions, big polluters to pay, a just transition, to implement the Paris Agreement, to phase out fossil fuel driven cars by 2025 in EU, better train connections in the EU and international commitments to uphold human rights in relation to climate change impacts. In terms of climate finance, they want to move the money from militarisation to climate action and the EU to set up institutes for climate finance. They highlight Sweden’s role in carbon emissions and arms trade and its impact on climate refugees as well as global migration and wants Sweden as well as EU to take responsibility through opening up their borders.
Socialdemokraterna
They want Sweden to increase their own targets and EU to lead the way in the fight globally against our common climate crises. They want higher ambitions to chase businesses and countries who are not doing their part in reducing carbon emissions so the targets in the Paris Agreement can be achieved. They want strong structural social reforms targeting the biggest polluters, such as businesses and governments, while emphasizing that we should avoid that those with the smallest economic margins get disproportionately affected. They want common reforms across the members states in EU, to avoid increased competition by those companies neglecting the climate reforms.They want a just transition, sustainable transport and infrastructure and respect for our planetary boundaries.
Miljöpartiet
They want actual action, and not just empty words, calling for climate to be as important at the decision-making table, as it is in all party manifestos. They want to reform all EU legislation on climate and energy so we can reach the goals of the Paris Agreement on emission reductions and other environmental goals. They want those member states with better capacity to do more towards climate action. They believe the EU’s structural funds will strengthen the climate transition throughout EU. For example, they would like to see an expansion of electromobility charging infrastructure, and the infrastructure for renewable fuels. They call on EU to develop a carbon emissions budget and to ensure that climate funds are used to reduce inequality, by taking into consideration the different needs in or region. All business and innovation support should be climate-smart to increase the pace of the climate action. They want to reduce flying, particularly business and commuter flights and introduce a flight tax on fuel and energy. Moreover, they also want a fossil-free agriculture. There is a sense of urgency in their demands, and although they call for more hands on action than any other party, they make no social analysis nor speak about just transition.
Centerpartiet
Want to increase the fee for carbon emission, emphasises the need for collaborating internationally to tackle climate crises, supports the commitments done on EU level under Paris Agreement, but don’t specify if 1.5 or 2 degrees is the minimum threshold. Speaks of the need to increase ambitions in the next mandate period, but don’t mention urgency. Support EU’s ETS system, but want to improve climate ambitions in sectors not captured under the current carbon emission scheme. They also want to improve EU’s railway connections. No, to very little, social impact analysis or mention of just transition.
Liberalerna
Want a common climate taxation scheme for Europe, fossil fuel free cars, and climate resilient agriculture. Highlights that polluters must pay, wants to introduce a EU wide taxation scheme for carbon emissions (particularly focusing on transport sector), though no mention of industries (which we know are really the big polluters). Says that in 2050 we should not have any netto carbon emissions in EU. They recognize the importance of the Paris Agreement, but don’t clarify whether we should strive for a 2 or 1.5 degrees increase. Want to improve the current carbon emission rights scheme in the EU (ETS) and phase out coal, but promotes nuclear. Talk about just transition, but otherwise make no social impacts analysis.
Kristdemokraterna
Recognizes that EU has a responsibility as one of the world’s biggest economies, vaguely states that our climate action tools need to be more ambitious, no examples on how, and what the party demands. They want to include more countries and sectors (including flights) under the EU carbon emission programme (EU ETS)
Moderaterna
Want to keep global warming down and take the climate threat seriously. They recognize climate change as an issue that Sweden cannot handle by themselves but must be dealt with collectively by member states, and should therefore be prioritized in EU’s budget. They want to prioritize the most pressing issues to receive climate funding. Supports EU’s current carbon emission trading framework, and wants to expand it to more sectors. There’s no sense of urgency, no mention of historical responsibility towards the Global South nor any social impact analysis.
Sverigedemokraterna
There’s a paragraph on it, but no mention of drastic action, just realising the need for cross-boundary collaboration, nothing mentioned about the causes of climate change (that it is human-made) and they also want to limit Brussels rules regarding deforestation in Sweden. They think the EU Directoive to phase out fossil fuels is a good tool that should be replicated outside of the EU. However, they say no to fossil fuel taxation on EU level, saying the current EU trading on carbon emissions is enough. They want to phase out palmoil in EU. There’s no social impact analysis.
Gender-just energy transition
Feministiskt Initiativ
Recognize that a healthy environment and indigenous peoples’ rights should be prioritised before extractive industries. They have a strong social impact analysis and highlights that we need to live within our planetary boundaries. However they do not mention decentralisation of energy.
Vänsterpartiet
Want targets for renewable energy and increase energy efficiency, to prioritise sustainable energy before fossil fuels and phase out coal by 2030. They have strong language on just transition.
Socialdemokraterna 
No mention of sustainable energy sources, but they call for Sweden and EU to lead the way to a fossil free continent, wants a just transition.
Miljöpartiet
They want to transition to 100% renewable energy throughout the EU, to ensure that coal, oil and fossil gas remain in the ground. They also want to ensure that we take care of our natural carbon sinks and that the mining industry follows EU and national regulation. They call for an end to fossil energy subsidies, arguing that emissions should be combated, not rewarded. They also want to strengthen the EU’s research program and invest more in research and innovation for renewable energy. and sustainable transport. They make no social analysis and do not speak of just transition.
Centerpartiet
Want to restrict fossil fuels imports to the EU and phase out coal, gas and fossil fuels. They do not mention nuclear energy. They make a social impact analysis (0.5 million people in EU dies preemptively due to hasardous chemicals through fossil fuel pollution).
Liberalerna
Are for the use of nuclear energy, arguing that it’s necessary for climate action. They then go on to state that the climate’s need for nuclear energy has been supported by the IPCC (this is incorrect and false). They want a transition to phase out fossil fuels, to support the people in those sectors that will be affected, expand further the EU energy union (in particular in relation to wind, solar, water and nuclear), and all contracts to be done in Euros. They also want to limit fossil fuel imports from Russia and impose sanctions against Russia investing in energy sector within EU. They don’t make a social impact analysis.
Kristdemokraterna
No mention
Moderaterna
They do not mention phasing out fossil fuels, but says that we should put more efforts on renewable energy. They say that Europe does not need dirty coal energy or Russian gas. Moderaterna also want to double EU’s efforts on nuclear energy, inaccurately stating that the IPCC report has said that we need nuclear energy to reduce climate change. In addition, they want to restrict EU’s decision-making power over the Swedish forestry.
Sverigedemokraterna
No mentions of just transitions to fsustainable energy, though it supports the phase out of fossil fuels. They want to put money towards nuclear energy research.
Toxic chemicals, no thank-you
Feministiskt Initiativ
Want the EU to uphold its rules around sustainable farming. They are positive to decentralisation of agriculture, but make no explicit mention of chemicals, health or social impacts.
Vänsterpartiet
Want to restrict pesticides and use of antibiotics in agriculture, make no mention of hazardous chemicals in products and cosmetics nor health impacts or social impacts.
Socialdemokraterna 
Wants circular economy, and stricter rules around hazardous chemicals. Our food and water should be safe and free from toxic substances.
Miljöpartiet
They want consumers to feel safe to know that their food has been produced in a way that is not harmful to our environment or health. That the food should be free from unhealthy additives. They are critical to the overuse of antibiotics as it leads to antibiotics resistance, which they argue is a threat to human health. Want to reduce the use of pesticides and want to give support the agricultural sector to transition to a sustainable agriculture. In addition they want strict controls governed by the precautionary principle over the use of GMOs and prohibit glyphosate and chemicals pesticides with huge environmental impacts. They are very progressive in their claim that it is not fair that the responsibility for climate and environmental action is put on consumers. They also say that our quality of life should not be determine by chemical pollution of our oceans and consumer products.
Centerpartiet
Think its unacceptable that pregnant women and children can’t eat fish from the Baltic Sea due to high toxins pollution. They want better labeling on toxic chemicals, including for clothes, but don’t mention the precautionary principle.
Liberalerna
Demand more proactive processes within REACH (EU’s legal agreement on chemicals safety) to remove harmful chemicals from the market. They want to put specific focus on phasing out hazardous pesticides and hormone disrupting chemicals. Wants more transparency on harmful chemicals in products through better labeling (even for imported goods). Makes no social impact analysis, but otherwise has very progressive language on chemicals.
Kristdemokraterna
Support the use of the precautionary principle in terms of GMO and biodiversity. However, promote GMO as a poverty reduction tool and fail to make a social impact analysis on global inequalities caused by multinational corporations and GMO usage.
Moderaterna
They want consumers to feel safe with the products they buy. They want to phase out all proven hazardous chemicals in consumer products. However, they also want to reduce rules for the agriculture sector (which could mean rules regarding pesticides etc, but there is no clarity what they actually mean).
Sverigedemokraterna
Want environmentally friendly agriculture, but do not define what they mean by that, there’s no mention of health in their manifesto.
Safe water for all
Feministiskt Initiativ
No mention
Vänsterpartiet
No mention
Socialdemokraterna
Very briefly state that they want safe water free from hazardous chemicals.
Miljöpartiet
Mention the need to stop the acidification of our oceans and recognize the importance of EU’s Water Framework Directive and how it aims to improve water quality of our seas, lakes and rivers. Want to protect marine areas, lakes and bays, a sustainable fishing industry, and EU to lead the global work towards sustainable oceans. While they do not make a social impacts analysis, nor speak of ensuring safe and clean water for all (they mention oceans free from chemicals briefly but makes no in depth analysis), they do want to deny the mining industry special exemptions from the Water Framework Directive.
Centerpartiet
Want to target overfertilisation of sea and water resources. They also want to tackle plastic and chemicals pollution of the Baltic sea, implement a more efficient circular economy. And makes a gender analysis in terms of access to clean and safe water by criticizing the high toxins content of the Baltic Sea and its impacts on pregnant women and children.
Liberalerna
Want to improve EU’s Water Directive, but makes no social impact analysis.
Kristdemokraterna
No mention
Moderaterna
They highlight that the Baltic Sea is one of the most polluted inland seas, and want common EU efforts to reduce the littering and overfertilization of it. Makes no social impact analysis.
Sverigedemokraterna
Are positive to EU’s Directive on reducing sulphur pollution in the Baltic Sea, and to the prohibition of wastewater dumping in the Baltic Sea. However, they stress that they want these strict rules to apply equally throughout the EU.
Period power for all
Feministiskt Initiativ
No mention
Vänsterpartiet
Mentions everyone’s right to SRHR, but not menstrual hygiene management specifically.
Socialdemokraterna
No mention of periods. Just a vague reference to women’s right over their own bodies.
Miljöpartiet
No mention
Centerpartiet
No mention
Liberalerna
No mention
Kristdemokraterna
No mention
Moderaterna
No mention
Sverigedemokraterna
No mention
Act on single-use plastics ban
Feministiskt Initiativ
No mention, but highlights the need to respect all life on our planet.
Vänsterpartiet
No mention
Socialdemokraterna
They want to move towards a circular economy, where sold products should be easy to recycle. They want stricter rules to reduce unnecessary use of plastic.
Miljöpartiet
Mention plastics’ negative impact on ecosystems, and that if we do not act there will be more plastic than fish in our oceans by 2050. Want to make all plastic trackable and recycable. Producers should have “extended producer responsibility” for all new plastic entering the market. They go further than the current EU plastics ban, and calls for a more extensive ban on single-use plastic items and micro-plastics. Supports a EU fee on plastics.
Centerpartiet
Mentions plastic briefly but there’s not much commitment. They say they’re happy about the ban of single-use plastic, and states that further steps should be taken to improve circular economy in EU but make no social impact analysis.
Liberalerna
Wants a binding commitment on EU level which aims to phase out plastic that cannot be recycled by 2030. They support the EU ban on single-use plastic, but want to introduce a fee for plastic that cannot be recycled. However they think it doesn’t go far enough and want to introduce an EU wide deposit-return-programme for plastic and aluminium bottles. They also want to invest in research on new innovations, and offer support to the Global South. They highlight Europe’s role in global pollution, and demand that member states must stop exporting waste to tho the Global South.
Kristdemokraterna
Welcomes the new EU ban on single-use plastic, though think its scope is limited in terms of plastic waste management and calls for a regional deposit-return-programme for plastic bottles. They call for a global plan to tackle the plastic waste in Asia and Africa, but do not mention EU’s export of waste to these countries, and our responsibility towards this waste production.
Moderaterna
No mention
Sverigedemokraterna
Recognises the need for a working waste management system in Europe, then goes into saying that most plastic pollution of oceans (90%) comes from a few rivers in Asia. They don’t mention at all that Europe exports plastic waste to these countries. They also want to target certain plastic packaging in Europe (no mention of which products), but emphasises the need to first make an impact analysis of plastic products before prohibiting them (they argue that the alternatives might not be more effective). Moreover, they also want a more effective deposit-return-programme for plastic bottles across Europe.
Slow down fasion
Feministiskt Initiativ
No mention, but highlights the importance of global solidarity, and redistribution of power and resources.
Vänsterpartiet
Wants decent working conditions. They also mention that EU’s actions should be governed by international human rights frameworks, but there’s no mention of fast fasion.
Socialdemokraterna
No mention of fashion industry, but they call generally for growth based on sustainability and equality. They want EU to be a strong global actor towards a free and just world trade. They want people before profit. They want to increase the competitiveness of businesses that are sustainable and following the rules. They want to include an amendment about unionised rights and a social protocol in the next big EU Treaty.
Miljöpartiet
While they do not specifically mention fashion, they have very progressive politics in terms of making big companies take responsibility for the negative impacts of globalisation. They want EU to hold multinational companies accountable for how negative impacts on people in low income countries caused by their business. They call for a binding legal framework on businesses responsibility towards human rights and unionised. rights.
Centerpartiet
Wants minimum standards for climate and environmental health in industries in EU. They also want these minimum standards to be applicable on imports from countries outside of the EU. However, they make no social impact analysis, they do not speak of workers’ rights or occupational health, and do not speak of decent work for decent pay and do not focus on the textile industry.
Liberalerna
Wants to remove all barriers to free trade, otherwise no mentions.
Kristdemokraterna
No mention
Moderaterna
They do not mention fashion or the textile industry, but they want to take action against bad working environment without specifying whether that includes occupational health. They also think that there should be less trade barriers and bureaucracy.
Sverigedemokraterna
No mentions of responsibility towards workers in the Global South, wants to remove barriers to free trade, no mentions of occupational health.
Gender quotas
Feministiskt Initiativ
No mention, but their general politics is from the point of view of fighting structural barriers to achieve gender equality.
Vänsterpartiet
No mention, but wants a gender budgeting and wants to reduce gender inequality.
Socialdemokraterna
No mention
Miljöpartiet
Want to implement the EU Commission’s proposal in regards of gender quotas for governance positions in companies. They are also in favour of increased gender equality at the decision-making level in the EU, and proposes that each EU authority should have one male and one female leader.
Centerpartiet
Says that the representation of women in EU institutions needs to increase, but gives no practical solutions, so unsure about their stance on gender quotas.
Liberalerna
Strives for 50/50 representation of women and men in all EU institutions, wants Sweden’s next EU Commission to lead by example. Doesn’t say how they will get there though, they do not mention quotas in this aspect.
Kristdemokraterna
Is against qoutas, and have voted against the EU Gender Action Plan since 2016 (as it demands gender quotas in corporate governance).
Moderaterna
No mention
Sverigedemokraterna
No mention
Informed decisions matter
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Sustainable development
The demands used on this scorecard are based on the issues that matters to us based on the work we do on Agenda 2030 and sustainable development. We have work on climate justice (SDG 13), sustainable energy solutions (SDG 7, 13, 15), a toxic free and healthy environment (SDG 3, 8, 11, 12), safe and clean water and menstruation (SDG 4, 6, 8, 16) through a gender equality (SDG 5) and human rights lens.