Eva Lövbrand, Professor at Linköping University and Mistra Geopolitics affiliate, hosted a roundtable and panel debate on the theme ‘A just fossil free transition: what does it mean for Sweden?’ in Lysekil in October.
In recent years the refinery in Lysekil has been subject to widespread climate protests and critique. In the debate over Preemraff’s future – Scandinavia’s largest oil refinery – local jobs have been pitted against global climate concerns, the socio-economic welfare of fossil fuel workers against the rights of future generations, the fossil-fueled economy against visions of a fossil-free society.
To reach Sweden’s national climate goal of net-zero emissions by 2045, rapid industrial decarbonization is necessary and major investments are now underway to transform Preemraff into a biorefinery,” said Professor Eva Lövbrand.
The roundtable dialogue and panel debate were held in the west coast city of Lysekil and involved local actors and representatives from Fossil Free Sweden, the Swedish Climate Policy Council, the Swedish Trade Unions (LO), the Swedish Alliance for Just Transitions, and the climate justice movement.
Collage from Lysekil cultural week 2023. Collage: Veronica Brodén Gyberg. Illustration: Camia PIA Boije
During the roundtable and panel debates, the participants discussed how these tensions can be overcome and what it takes to foster a just transition to climate neutrality that ‘leaves no one behind’. This theme was also explored in the public art exhibition ‘Omställning’, co-produced with the research team and local communities in Lysekil, Luleå and Slite. The exhibition formally opened in Lysekil’s Folkets Hus on 6 October and closed Sunday 15 October.
Scandinavia’s largest oil refinery
Known for its unique marine life and red granite rocks, Lysekil has long been an attractive tourist destination and hub for maritime trade and shipping. Since 1975 Lysekil is also home to Scandinavia’s largest oil refinery – Preemraff – and is therefore one of Sweden’s largest municipal emitters of carbon dioxide. Following five decades of fossil fuel production, Lysekil is today struggling with a carbon lock-in that is both materially and culturally entrenched.
Despite municipal efforts to bring emissions down in the housing, transport and energy sectors, the city operates in the shadow of the refinery and many citizens remain locked into carbon-intensive jobs and infrastructures.
Mistra Geopolitic’s researcher and press contact
- Eva Lövbrand, Professor at Linköping University and Affiliated to Mistra Geopolitics.
- Ylva Rylander, Lead Press contact for Mistra Geopolitics at SEI.
Decarbonization
News story written by Eva Lövbrand and edited by Ylva Rylander. The research is performed under the Mistra Geopolitics research theme “Decarbonization”.