Photo: Ivan Bandura/Unsplash
The report Swedish Climate Aid in Transition?, authored by Veronica Brodén Gyberg (SweDev steering committee member) and Mathias Fridahl, is a report published in collaboration between the Centre for Climate Science and Policy Research (CSPR) from Linköping University and the Swedish think tank FORES. The authors provide an analysis of Sweden’s evolving climate aid landscape, with a focus on recent shifts in official development assistance (ODA) priorities. The report explores Sweden’s climate aid profile in relation to global trends, evaluations, and research, providing insights into how current changes in strategy may impact its role international climate diplomacy.
According to the report, climate change poses a growing challenge for ODA, requiring efforts to reduce emissions, avoid future emissions, and help vulnerable communities adapt to climate impacts. Sweden has established itself as a valued player in international climate aid by balancing support for both climate mitigation and adaptation. This approach has been appreciated by partner countries, especially those facing significant climate risks. Although Sweden’s profile fills a unique and important niche worth maintaining in today’s ODA landscape, evaluations conclude that there are also areas which could receive additional focus such as within agriculture, infrastructure, and nature-based solutions.
The authors highlight that the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (MFA) have historically managed nearly all climate related ODA. Despite Sweden’s relatively low climate aid share compared to the OECD average, the authors note a consistent increase in climate aid over the past decade. The Swedish government’s recent reform agenda for ODA signals a shift toward targeted, strategic investments. The government plans to increase climate aid by making it more catalytic—mobilizing private investment and expanding financial resources in partner countries. While Sweden’s climate aid was doubled between 2015 and 2022, the total effect and announced plans for further increases are currently difficult to assess given that the simultaneous shift away from the 1% GNI commitment.
The authors discuss several potential risks, including the decline in research aid funding, which has supported the development of context-specific climate related knowledge in partner countries for decades. They suggest that increasing research collaborations and research-based evaluations could enhance the relevance and effectiveness of Swedish climate aid. Additionally, Sweden should invest in improving donor coordination to reduce aid fragmentation and enhance synergies, which could further strengthen its role in international climate diplomacy.
In conclusion, the authors emphasize that Sweden should build on its established strengths in climate ODA, ensuring effective coordination and long-term sustainability. They recommend a clearer picture of current climate aid efforts, strengthened administrative capacities, and sustained collaborations to maintain Sweden’s position as a leader in international climate action.
Note: The report was presented at FORES’ office in December 2024. A recording of the event is available online.
