Ministry of the Environment

Minister for Infrastructure Tomas Eneroth and Minister for the Environment Karolina Skog have announced how the new provisions on low emission zones would be designed. The Government will give municipalities the possibility of introducing three different kinds of low emission zones as of 1 January 2020.

The ‘cocktail effect’ is when the negative sum of two chemicals is greater than their individual parts. The Government is now taking a holistic approach to address the risks of groups or combinations of chemicals by appointing an inquiry.

In June 2017, Sweden’s Riksdag decided by a large political majority to introduce a climate policy framework with a climate act for Sweden. This framework is the most important climate reform in Sweden’s history and sets out implementation of the Paris Agreement in Sweden. By 2045, Sweden is to have zero net emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

On 12 March, Minister for the Environment Karolina Skog invited a smaller group of countries, researchers and stakeholders to a high-level dialogue on how the countries of the world can handle chemicals and waste. Listen to some of the arguments in this video.

In the past few days, Minister for the Environment Karolina Skog and Sweden hosted an international meeting on how the countries of the world can handle chemicals and waste. The spread of dangerous chemicals constitutes a major health risk at global level. Sweden wants to see a global agreement for chemicals, comparable to the Paris Agreement for the climate.

Reduced emissions, increased resilience to climate change, and more sustainable management of water, ecosystems and natural resources. These are some of the goals aimed for in development efforts. In March 2018, the Government decided on the new strategy for Sweden’s global development cooperation in the areas of environmental sustainability, sustainable climate and ocean, and sustainable use of natural resources. The strategy applies for the five years 2018–2020.

Reduced emissions, improved resilience to climate change, and more sustainable management of water, ecosystems and natural resources. These are some of the goals aimed for in development efforts.

Opinion piece published in Politico on 5 March, by Minister for the Environment Karolina Skog

On 12–15 March Sweden will host an international strategy meeting on chemicals and waste. Current global cooperation in the area of chemicals consists of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), which extends to 2020. Intensive discussions are now under way on what will happen beyond 2020. Sweden wants to form a coalition of ambitious countries to bring about a global framework for chemicals and waste, along the same lines as the Paris Agreement for the climate.

Plastic in the oceans is one of our most serious global environmental problems. To tackle both the sources and effects of the problem, the Government has decided on a ban on the use of microplastic in certain cosmetic products, and on a grant to municipalities to clean up plastic from Sweden’s beaches.

On the 16th of January 2018, the European Commission presented its European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy. The strategy aims to increase recycling of plastic, reduce microplastic emissions and reduce littering. It also aims to reduce the use of fossil raw materials in plastic production.

One of the Swedish Government’s gender equality policy sub-goals is that men’s violence against women must stop. With reference to #metoo, the following lists some examples of implemented and forthcoming measures to counteract sexual violence, harassment and assault.

Sweden’s new Climate Act enters into force today. For the first time, Sweden will have an act stating that each government has an obligation to pursue a climate policy based on the climate goals adopted by the Riksdag.

By 2045, Sweden will have achieved net zero greenhouse gas emissions. Several of the Government’s proposals in the Budget Bill for 2018, such as the ‘charge-at-home’ support, the Green Industry Leap and investments for international cooperation, will now be implemented.

In May 2018, Sweden, the EU and the Nordic countries will together host major energy ministerial meetings. In connection with these meetings, the Öresund region will also host Nordic Clean Energy Week. Politicians, researchers and business representatives will come together to discuss future energy solutions.

The world’s environment ministers will meet at the third international UN Environment Assembly (UNEA 3) on 4–6 December in Nairobi, Kenya. They are expected to take decisions on measures to reduce air, marine, and land and soil pollution. Minister for the Environment Karolina Skog will take part in a number of dialogues and meetings focusing on marine litter, chemicals and air pollution.

National statement by Karolina Skog, Minister for the Environment, at UN Environment Assemby, UNEA 3, in Nairobi, Kenya, December 4, 2017. Check against delivery.

Negotiations on the rules for implementing the Paris Agreement have been constructive, but have been marked by tough discussions, especially regarding how countries are to report their emissions. Countries have now submitted their views on the rules, and work is now continuing to ensure a decision on the rules can be taken next year.

Minister for Policy Coordination and Energy Ibrahim Baylan chaired the International Energy Agency (IEA) Ministerial Meeting on 7–8 November in Paris. Swedish priorities regarding enhanced engagement with emerging economies to help accelerate global clean-energy transitions were raised at the meeting.

Opinion piece published in PACNEWS 16 November, by Karolina Skog, Sweden's Minister of Environment, Erik Solheim, Executive Director, UN Environment and Dr Marcelo Mena-Carrasco is Minister of the Environment for Chile.