Sweden pledges to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2045

The move comes after the US withdraws from the Paris climate change agreement

Swedish Environment Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Isabella Lovin signs a referral of Swedish climate law, binding all future governments to net zero emissions by 2045 at the ministry in Stockholm. (AFP)

Sweden has pledged to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 in an ambitious move to tackle climate change.

The Scandinavian country's parliament voted 254 to 41 to adopt the Climate Act, with all parties supporting the move except the far-right Swedish Democrats.

The new bill comes after US President Donald Trump announced earlier this month that the US will withdraw from the Paris Agreement, created to strengthen the global response to climate change.

"All countries need to actively demonstrate how they are taking responsibility on climate change," said Isabella Lövin, Sweden's Minister for International Development Cooperation and Climate in Sweden.

“Today's decision shows that Sweden will continue to be a leading country in global efforts to achieve the ambitious goals of the Paris Agreement.”

Reaching net-zero carbon emissions will demand at least an 85 per cent cut in domestic greenhouse gas emissions from Sweden’s 1990 levels. Remaining emissions will be offset through strategies such as tree-planting.

The move means Sweden has committed to a goal that is five years more ambitious than previously agreed under the Paris Agreement.

The Swedish government will now be required to present a climate report during its annual budget bill.

Every four years, a climate policy action plan will also be produced to outline how it will achieve its climate goals.

The first climate report will be presented in the second half of 2018, and the first action plan will be presented in 2019. Intermediate targets have also been set for 2030 and 2040.