Sweden was facing a serious soil acidification and water eutrophication problem caused partly
by emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from combustion processes in transport, industry and
power. In 1992, Sweden introduced a high tax on NOx emissions from large combustion sources (e.g.
power plants, industrial plants, waste incinerators). The tax was accompanied by a refund
according to the amount of energy generated. This ensures that facilities with low NOx emission
intensitites are net beneficiaries of the scheme. Continuous monitoring of emissions was also
made mandatory. The tax was designed to accelerate and stimulate investment in advanced
combustion and pollution-abatement technologies and as a supplement to existing regulatory
measures.
The Swedish Tax on Nitrogen Oxide Emissions
Lessons in Environmental Policy Reform
Policy paper
OECD Environment Policy Papers
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