Sweden's environmental policy in the EU
In the field of the environment, it is particularly clear that decisions at European level are required to handle environmental problems. Transboundary pollution must be addressed through transnational political decisions.
The EU is the only international organisation that has the power to adopt extensive environmental regulations that are binding on its member countries. It is therefore important for Sweden that the environmental requirements adopted jointly in the EU match up to an ambitious environmental policy. Sweden is also working to ensure that the EU is a driving force in global work to protect the environment and secure sustainable development.
Sweden in the EU
Since Sweden joined the EU, our determined action has been very important for the development of EU environment policy. Here are some examples:
- The EU strategy for sustainable development was adopted at the European Council in Göteborg in 2001, during the Swedish Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers. This made sustainable development an overarching objective of the work of the EU. Sustainable development means meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
- Sweden has worked to set ambition goals for greenhouse gas reduction and to strengthen the position of the EU in global climate negotiations.
- In large measure, the extensive EU chemicals legislation, REACH, which was adopted in 2006, has come about at the initiative of Sweden and with the assistance of Sweden's internationally recognised expertise in the area. In the negotiations on REACH Sweden has worked for stronger rights for consumers to information and for the continuous substitution of dangerous chemicals when research establishes substances or methods that are safer. Sweden is continuing to pursue these issues in the global chemicals negotiations, where REACH often serves as a model.
- Sweden played a proactive role in the drafting of the EU's Sixth Environment Action Programme, which sets the framework for EU environment policy in 2002-2012. The programme contributes to the integration of environmental considerations into all policy areas and is the basis for the environmental dimension of the EU strategy for sustainable development.
- In order to protect the marine environment Sweden has worked to sharpen the objectives and binding nature of the Marine Directive adopted by the EU in 2007. Sweden has also taken action to reduce EU fishing quotas and make the fishing industry sustainable in the long term.
- Sweden has also worked very actively to combat acidification so as to achieve emissions reductions at both national and international level. One example is the EU acidification strategy that was produced in 1997 with the help of Swedish experts and resulted in a directive on national emissions ceilings. The Swedish NGO Secretariat on Acid Rain played an important role in this work.
