When it comes to living sustainably, focusing on lowering their ecological footprint and never out pacing their biocapacity, the world should look to Sweden for an example.

The level of sustainability attained by the country only comes from a vast amount of citizen buy in and political cohesion when the topic of environmental issues arises.

• A study by the European Commission found that 40% of Swedes have purchased eco-labeled food and consumer products in one month, higher than the European average.
• The market for used clothing has grown in Sweden over the past years. Vintage fashion has become such a huge trend that established chains are competing with small vintage boutiques selling second-hand items.
• Swedes are conscientious about recycling beverage containers. Out of the targeted 90%, 88% of all aluminum cans and PET bottles are now in the recycling system. (Ben Wild, 2016, ADEC IN.)

These examples here are just some of the small changes Swedish people have made to become more environmentally friendly. Making recycling a social norm and pushing for fashion that has less impact on our environment and eating locally sourced eco labeled food all adds up for a net positive result in Swedens sustainability and control of their environmental footprint.

But it takes more then just the will of the people to create change, Swedens federal government “intends to become the world’s first fossil-fuel free nation as part of their commitment under Roadmap 2050.”(Ben Wild, 2016, ADEC IN.) By focusing on lowering emissions, finding new ways to integrate renewable energy sources into their current energy systems and taxing the use of fossil fuels and other non renewable forms of energy  Swedens government is paving the way for other countries to follow, if they wish to lessen their ecological footprint. Sweden has a high bio capacity to start with but the way in which they use the land, air and water is the reason they are successful. They place heavy emphasis on not causing ecological ripples and negative environmental effects because of poor and unethical decision making and strive to work in-tandem with the land for a common benefit, the sustainability of life.

So what should be taken away from this? Fist off in order to lower a countries ecological footprint, total buy in from a countries citizenry is needed along with the support of its federal government in regulation of nonrenewable resources and emissions. The people must support the innovation of businesses that are ecologically conscious and driven by the goals of sustainable living.

How Sweden became the world’s most sustainable country: Top 5 reasons. (n.d.). https://info.esg.adec-innovations.com/blog/how-sweden-became-the-worlds-most-sustainable-country-top-5-reasons

Open data platform. (n.d.). Open Data Platform. https://data.footprintnetwork.org/#/countryTrends?cn=210&type=BCtot,EFCtot

Sweden ‘Most sustainable country in the world’. (2013, August 19). Environment + Energy Leader. https://www.environmentalleader.com/2013/08/sweden-most-sustainable-country-in-the-world/