Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Research Brief No. 20 - Population Growth, Energy Use, And Environmental Impact: Comparing Canadian And Swedish Records On Co2 Emissions, Don Kerr

Population Change and Lifecourse Strategic Knowledge Cluster Research/Policy Brief

Canada and Sweden are both northern countries with predominantly export-oriented economies that have recently witnessed demographic growth and climbing affluence. However, there is a stark contrast in their respective records on greenhouse gas emissions: Sweden is often considered a world leader in emission reduction, while Canada has largely failed to meet international commitments. This study aims to understand the factors responsible for their differing records. It demonstrates that Canada’s relatively rapid population growth, persistent reliance on fossil fuels, and heavy demand for energy have contributed to its increasing level of CO2 emissions. On the other hand, Sweden has man-aged to …