Isabella Lövin

The global trend of democratic backsliding, as well as lack of respect for human rights and the rule of law, risks being exacerbated by the pandemic. We have seen several worrying signs of this – not least in Asia and the Pacific Region. The Government has therefore decided to allocate approximately USD 12 million (SEK 100 million) in extra support to the Swedish strategy for regional development cooperation in Asia and the Pacific Region.

Civil society, the business sector and municipalities have an important role in the efforts for sustainable development. State Secretary Eva Svedling invited organisations and networks that are involved in this issue from different perspectives to a discussion on the focus of the Stockholm+50 high-level conference. One suggestion from the consultation was that Stockholm+50 should be action-oriented and highlight the conditions for, and obstacles to, implementing global goals.

Sweden’s young people are deeply committed to the issue of climate change. In recognition of their commitment, Minister for Environment and Climate Isabella Lövin met with representatives of ten youth climate organisations on 25 November to discuss climate ambitions and objectives for the high-level meeting Stockholm+50 from a young person’s perspective.

Sweden has submitted its long-term climate strategy to the UN. The strategy is part of Sweden’s work under the Paris Agreement and contains ambitious emission targets and measures that will drive climate transition in Sweden in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement.

The Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT) – launched by Sweden and India to drive the climate transition in energy-intensive industries – held its Leadership Summit today. LeadIT members agreed on a range of ambitious commitments to contribute to freedom from fossil fuels and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

At a summit on the climate transition of energy-intensive industries, Minister for Environment and Climate Isabella Lövin announced that Sweden intends to contribute a total of SEK 300 million to a new and innovative industry transition programme within the World Bank’s climate finance mechanism, the Climate Investment Funds (CIF).

The national strategy for a circular economy sets out the direction and ambition for a long-term and sustainable transition of Swedish society. The Government adopted the national strategy for a circular economy earlier this year. The strategy is now available in English. The strategy is based on an agreement between the Government, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.

A transition of the society is required to achieve environmental and climate objectives, secure our welfare services and the competitiveness of the business sector and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Through this strategy the Government wants to stake out the direction of and ambition for this work. In addition to the strategy, action plans containing concrete measures will be adopted.The strategy is based on an agreement between the Government, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.

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.

Stockholm, 14 July 2020. Check against delivery.

‘Leave no one behind’ (LNOB) is an overarching principle of the 2030 Agenda. It is both a prerequisite and goal for sustainable development, and should permeate all our efforts to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs).

‘Leave no one behind’ (LNOB) is an overarching principle of the 2030 Agenda. It is both a prerequisite and goal for sustainable development, and should permeate all our efforts to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs).

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.

On 7–14 July, State Secretary Eva Svedling and a Swedish delegation will take part in the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in New York. In line with the UN Secretary-General’s call, this year’s theme is ‘Accelerated action and transformative pathways: realising the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development’. In light of the COVID-19 crisis, and for the first time ever, this year’s HLPF will be held in a virtual format.

Swedes are largely following the government agencies’ advice and recommendations. This has been shown through surveys and data concerning movement patterns. Now travel within Sweden is permitted again – but if the guidelines are not followed, the Government is prepared to take measures.

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.

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.

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.

The Government has appointed Gabriel Wikström as national coordinator for the 2030 Agenda. The appointment of a national coordinator is part of the Government’s work to implement the 2030 Agenda.