Environment and climate

The Swedish Government, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the World Food Programme (WFP), in collaboration with the Swedish Red Cross, will co-host a high-level meeting on 21 October 2020 in Stockholm, convened by Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation Peter Eriksson, the Head of UNDRR Mami Mizutori and the Head of WFP David Beasley.

The European Union’s future relations with the United Kingdom and climate targets for 2030 were on the agenda when Prime Minister Stefan Löfven met the other EU leaders in Brussels on 15–16 October. The heads of state and government also discussed EU-Africa relations and the COVID-19 situation in the EU.

The EU’s future relationship with the UK and climate targets for 2030 are two topics that Prime Minister Stefan Löfven and other EU leaders will address when they meet in Brussels on 15–16 October. The heads of state and government will also discuss EU-Africa relations and a coordinated approach to COVID-19.

Today, Tuesday 13 October, Minister for Higher Education and Research Matilda Ernkrans is participating in a digital event organised by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Ms Ernkrans will participate in a panel discussion about what universities and other higher education institutions can do to address climate change and promote sustainable development.

Sweden has committed to supporting the efforts of developing countries on emission reductions, climate adaptation, capacity-building and technology transfer. Since 2014, the Government has more than tripled its climate aid to developing countries. Climate financing in 2019 was 20 per cent higher than in 2018.

Global warming continues regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic. Climate change will remain the defining issue of our generation. The Government is therefore proposing investments of SEK 9.7 billion in green recovery initiatives in the Budget Bill for 2021. The Government’s proposals are based on an agreement between the government parties, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.

On Monday 31 August 2020, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, together with Deputy Prime Minister Isabella Lövin, inaugurated the new HYBRIT pilot plant for the production of fossil-free sponge iron in Luleå. Check against delivery.

The Government has adopted a national strategy for a circular economy that sets out the direction and ambition for a long-term and sustainable transition of Swedish society. This is an important step towards Sweden becoming the world’s first fossil-free welfare nation.

The Government’s goal is for Sweden to be the world’s first fossil-free welfare nation. To achieve this, all policy areas must pull in the same direction and the issue of climate change must be integrated into all relevant policy areas. For this reason, the Government has decided to form a ministerial working group on climate policy.

To mitigate the impacts of COVID-19, on 11 June the Government presented a government bill to the Riksdag that entails giving exploration companies an additional year to carry out their work.

The Government has adopted a framework that will enable an issue of sovereign green bonds. This will be the first time sovereign green bonds have been issued in Sweden. The Swedish framework has been awarded the highest possible environmental grade by the independent reviewer.

This leaflet contains information about Sweden's climate act. The Climate Act establishes that the Government's climate policy must be based on the climate goals and specifies how work is to be carried out.

Stockholm, 12 May 2020. Check against delivery.

The Swedish Government has adopted an updated strategy to combat antibiotic resistance. The overarching goal continues to be preserving the possibility of effective treatment of bacterial infections in humans and animals. The strategy will apply until the end of 2023.

The Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority is to work to ensure that the financial system contributes to sustainable development. Climate change is central to this work as it has a major global impact and clear connections to financial stability.

On 30 January 2020, the Government adopted a new five-year strategy for Sweden’s support for democracy, human rights and the environment in Russia. The strategy will contribute to strengthened conditions for democratic development in Russia, and greater freedom of expression and respect for human rights and the rule of law. Activities within the framework of the strategy will also contribute to improving the environment and enhancing climate action in the Baltic Sea region. A key objective is broader relations between Sweden and Russia, focusing in particular on people-to-people cooperation.

In a letter to the European Commission, Sweden and eleven other EU Member States call on the Commission to propose how the EU can show leadership in the climate transition and step up ambitions ahead of and during the UN Climate Change Conference at the end of the year.

Today, Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde is presenting the Government’s Statement of Foreign Policy to the Riksdag. The Statement, which summarises the Government’s foreign policy priorities for 2020, includes a new announcement on strengthened efforts to combat organised crime. Also notable in the Statement is a stronger focus on security in Europe ahead of Sweden assuming the role of Chair of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in 2021.

On 12 February, Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde presented the 2020 Statement of Foreign Policy in the Riksdag. Check against delivery.

On 22–23 January, Minister for Environment and Climate and Deputy Prime Minister Isabella Lövin is attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. The theme of this year’s meeting is Stakeholders for a Cohesive and Sustainable World.