Svenska

Political priorities for the Ministry of the Environment

The Ministry of the Environment works to achieve sustainable development. The riches of nature must be used in way that will enable us to hand over a world in balance to our children and grandchildren. Priority areas in the Government´s environmental policy are action to respond to climate change, support for technology with minimal environmental impact and ensuring that the Baltic and the Skagerrak and Kattegatt are living seas. Market economy institutions, economic instruments and research and new technology are important tools in the work of the Ministry.

Areas of responsibility

  • Chemicals policy

    If chemicals are not handled safely, they risk damaging both human health and the environment.

  • Climate policy

    The climate problem and ongoing climate change.

  • Ecocycle policy

    Ecologically sound waste management is an important component.

  • Environmental quality objectives

    The Swedish Government has formulated 16 Environmental Quality Objectives.

  • Environmental legislation

    The fundamental rules of the Environmental Code apply, in principle, to all human activity that may harm the environment.

  • Environment and health

    The concept of environment and health refers to environmentally-related ill-health or health.

  • EU and International co-operation

    To protect and improve the environment and thereby peoples quality of life, the countries of the world are working together within the UN, the EU and many other organisations.

  • Housing and construction

    Housing is of central importance to everyone, as it forms a platform both for people,s own private sphere and for social and occupational life.

  • Nature conservation and biological diversity

    In the past decade biodiversity conservation has been given a prominent place in nature conservation work. Nature conservation interacts with other policy areas in various ways.

  • Sustainable Development

    Strategies for the sustainable development of society have become more important in Swedish policy in recent years.

  • Water and seas

    Many of Swedens coastal and sea areas are strongly affected by pollution, overfishing and physical exploitation. A new unified EU directive for water is intended make work to protect Europes water more effective.

The Swedish EU Presidency

From 1 July 2009 and for six months Sweden will hold the Presidency of the EU.