Is it possible to trust the climate investments in China's new five-year plan?

Despite new promises of investments in renewable fuels, China is still expanding its coal industry. Photo by Picrazy2

Despite new promises of investments in renewable fuels, China is still expanding its coal industry. Photo by Picrazy2

Of: Aaron Malmborg

China's new five-year plan aims at ambitious targets for renewable energy, a less export-dependent economy and technological development. The intention is to increase the prosperity of several hundred million people and counteract climate change. But can we trust what the Communist Party promises, and will they be able to hold on to power?

January 25, 2021, Analysis

Why economic growth will not save the climate

Economic growth contributes to climate change through large scale resource extraction. Photo: Andrew Taylor / Flickr

Of: Alice Castensson and Julian Dannefjord

The United Nations envisions both increased economic growth and effective climate action by the end of this decade. The combination of these is not consistent in the current state of the world. To effectively combat the threat of climate change, we need a shift in the status quo and a different economic structure.

December 20, 2020, Chronicle, English, Chronicle, Magazine

SDGs - an integrated approach?

Christine Wamsler, Professor at LUCSUS (Lund University Center for Sustainability Studies in Sweden). Photo: Christine Wamsler

Of: Emily Elderfield and Larissa Lachmann

Professor Christine Wamsler's research includes the role of mindset in tackling sustainability issues, and how individuals and cities can better respond to challenges of the climate crisis. We spoke to her about scales of sustainability, questioned whether the SDGs are integrated enough, and explored the role of education and communication strategies on sustainability.

December 17, 2020, Paper, English, Interview, Magazine

Textile factory workers in Bangladesh are exposed to further insecurity and insecurity 

The textile industry is particularly vulnerable during the corona pandemic. Photo: Canva.com.

Of: Johanna Lagerlöf

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, global fashion companies canceled orders worth billions of US dollars from Bangladeshi producers. Along with global lockdowns, many factory workers have lost their jobs and have difficulty coping with everyday life. "Our factory is struggling to survive," said Gabriel Adhikary, managing director of a small textile factory in Dhaka.  

November 26, 2020, Report

Positive messages are better for saving the climate 

Photo: Canva.com.

Of: Anna Wildeke

World researchers agree that the climate threat is not an insoluble problem. The solution is to drastically reduce carbon dioxide emissions worldwide. This is where the problem comes in - politicians totally disagree on how because it requires sacrifices from all of us who today overconsume. Calling for reduced consumption is a challenging message for a politician to convey. 

November 24, 2020, Chronicle

"It would be irresponsible of young people to turn a blind eye to the problem"

Photo: Eleni Terzitane, Young Media Sweden.

Of: Henrik Dävermo

I have been politically active for some time and belong to a party that does not shy away from putting the interests of entrepreneurs first. There is an idea in some circles I move in, that companies and industries are what move society forward and that it should be used as an argument to […]

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November 18, 2020, Guest chronicle

"Not enough requirement for Swedish companies to respect human rights"

Human rights violations often occur further down the production chains where employees may need to work in difficult conditions. Photo: RAJESH misra (publicdomainpictures.net) /needåix.com.

Of: Amanda Lindell

Child labor, 70-hour work weeks and non-living wages. This is the reality for many workers in other countries who produce goods for Swedish companies. Despite this, there is no legal requirement that Swedish companies must respect human rights abroad. 

November 16, 2020, Report

The transition to a circular economy places demands on sustainable consumption

A circular economy means that the linear economic system we have today is replaced by a closed cycle to save the earth's resources. Photo: Canva.com

Of: Louise Marklund

A transition to a circular economy is necessary to achieve the global sustainability goals according to the government. The corona pandemic has contributed to an increased need for sustainable consumption and now, for the first time, Sweden is developing a strategy for a circular economy to improve the environment.

November 10, 2020, News

Can digital development alleviate the consequences of pandemics for marginalized groups? 

Digital development is predicted to alleviate the consequences of pandemics for vulnerable groups. It requires states to work to ensure that access to connectivity is equal and inclusive. Photo: Pixabay / Myriams_Fotos.

Of: Björn Luthander

Digital development is increasingly highlighted as an effective way to deal with the pandemic. Especially in international development cooperation. But a non-inclusive transition risks increasing the digital exclusion of marginalized groups. 

November 5, 2020, Analysis