What is it about the Swedes?

Ask many throughout the world which country cares most about the environ-

ment, while also being devoted to a fair and just society, and the answer is almost

always Sweden. And the Swedes know this, although their natural, almost patho-

logical, modesty makes it diffi cult for them to crow about it. However, just occa-

sionally it sneaks out. In 2006, Sweden announced that it intended to end its

reliance on oil. The opening paragraphs of the groundbreaking policy document

‘ Making Sweden an Oil Free Society ’ state that ‘ ...the phase out of oil can fur-

ther strengthen our position as one of the world ’ s leading nations in sustainable

development ’ .