Priority issues
The Ministry of the Environment's preliminary priorities
for the presidency were:
Climate change
Both prior to and during the presidency, the Swedish Government will be working to reach a consensus on climate change and to increase trust among different parts of the world. The Government's objective is to unite EU Member States around an ambitious policy that lives up to the expectations the rest of the world has on the EU prior to the next round of international negotiations.
The Kyoto Protocol contains undertakings on emission reductions up until 2012. Decisions on new undertakings for the 2012-2020 period are to be adopted at the UN climate meeting in Copenhagen in December 2009. As president of the EU Council of Ministers, Sweden has a special responsibility for the EU's continued leadership at the Copenhagen negotiations.
The marine environment
Our seas are areas requiring international cooperation, although international environmental efforts to protect the marine environment have often been neglected. The Swedish Government supports the European Commission's efforts to draw up a strategy for the Baltic Sea region. This strategy is due to be presented in June 2009 and, regarding the environment, will include proposals for measures to implement HELCOM's Baltic Sea Action Plan. During the Swedish EU presidency, the Environment Council will discuss the environmental components of the strategy for the Baltic Sea region. The Government is also working to ensure the Baltic Sea is designated a special pilot region, where we can forge ahead with measures in order to implement the European Marine Strategy Directive.
Biological diversity
As regards biological diversity, the Government will endeavour during Sweden's presidency to ensure that the EU highlights the key role ecosystems play in people's well-being. The Government also wants to highlight the serious economic impact of lost biodiversity.
The UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is a global agreement on the preservation and sustainable use of the Earth's biodiversity. A meeting of the parties in October 2010 will evaluate the aim of the convention; to stem the loss of biodiversity by 2010. The starting-point for the EU's efforts in preparation for the meeting of the parties is a review of the EU's action plan to implement the convention.
Eco-efficient economy
During the Swedish Presidency, the Government will discuss how Europe can develop into an eco-efficient economy at meetings with EU ministers responsible for the environment, energy and competitiveness. The aim is to counter those who argue that Europe should first solve the economic crisis and become more competitive so that it then can afford to implement environmental and climate measures at a later date. The Government wishes to demonstrate examples of how environmental and climate challenges can be met at the same time as improving our competitiveness.
