Annika Strandhäll

Some 150 countries gathered in Stockholm to focus on the climate and environment. Sweden and Kenya have now summarised the results in a Stockholm agenda – 10 recommendations to the world to accelerate the pace of the transition.

A ban on extracting coal, oil and natural gas in Sweden will enter into force in Sweden on 1 July this year. It will be an important step in the process of transitioning to a fossil-free society. This was announced by Minister for climate and the environment Annika Strandhäll on World Environment Day, on June 5th.

On 31 May and 1 June, two major youth meetings with both Nordic and global representation were held in connection with Stockholm+50. During these meetings, the young people summarised and presented their views on Stockholm+50 to several environment and climate ministers.

This year, Sweden will host World Environment Day – 50 years after it was launched in Stockholm. Minister for Climate and the Environment Annika Strandhäll will open World Environment Day on 5 June, together with Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Inger Andersen. The opening will take place at the National Museum of Science and Technology and will include a discussion with young people about their vision for the future. Media representatives are welcome to follow the event onsite.

Today, 1 June, Sweden and the US hosted a meeting where the business sector, civil society and some 10 countries discussed solutions to reduce plastic pollution and increase recycling of plastics.

Close to one hundred participants representing countries, industries and international organisations are meeting in Stockholm today under the LeadIT initiative to discuss the climate transition of heavy industry. Sweden, India and the World Economic Forum are hosting the meeting, which calls for decisions and action so that industry can assume international leadership in the climate transition. Two additional countries have now joined the initiative: Japan and South Africa.

The international climate and environment week in Stockholm is now getting under way with a series of high-level meetings, including LeadIT on industry transition, the UN Stockholm+50 conference at Stockholmsmässan and the annual Ministerial on Climate Action (MoCA). UN Secretary-General Guterres and US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry are among those attending.

At the request of the United States, Sweden has joined the First Movers Coalition (FMC). Sweden will also sit on the FMC advisory board. The FMC brings together companies and countries that are leading the climate transition by driving the development of climate-smart products. Four major Swedish companies are already members of the FMC.

On 31 March, Minister for Climate and the Environment Annika Strandhäll will launch the Sweden-US Green Transition Initiative in Washington. The initiative, which will establish Sweden as a partner for the US in the transition towards a low-carbon economy, is now being launched by Swedish government agencies and the Swedish Embassy in Washington.

On Monday 28 March, Minister for Climate and the Environment Annika Strandhäll will lead a meeting at the UN Headquarters in New York. The UN is hosting the meeting as part of the practical preparations for the Stockholm+50 international meeting.

The United Nations Environment Assembly endorsed a historic resolution to initiate negotiations on a global agreement on plastic pollution. This will be the most important environmental agreement since the Paris Agreement. Sweden has long been a driving force for a global solution to plastic pollution.

Minister for Climate and the Environment Annika Strandhäll is participating in the fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, on 28 February–3 March. Sweden is pushing for negotiations on a global agreement on plastic pollution and a green post-pandemic recovery.

As one of the focuses of this year’s budget, the Swedish Government is tasking the National Agency for Public Procurement with devising ways of strengthening and developing public procurement to promote the climate transition and the shift to a circular economy.

The Government has today decided to permit the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel at Forsmark in Östhammar Municipality. The Government has also decided to permit construction of the encapsulation plant that is needed to handle the spent nuclear fuel in Oskarshamn Municipality.

Sweden’s seventh international Office of Science and Innovation was established at the Embassy of Sweden in London on 1 January 2022. The Office will develop and strengthen collaboration between the UK and Sweden on issues linked to the Government’s life sciences strategy, its export and investment strategy, the Research and Innovation Bill, and the Government’s strategic partnership programmes.

Today in the Riksdag, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson announced the ministers who will serve in the Government. The change of government takes place at a Council of State at the Royal Palace presided over by His Majesty the King. The Council of State begins at 13.00.