Ministry of Climate and Enterprise

Following more than 15 years of negotiations, in March 2023 the UN successfully adopted a new global treaty to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Sweden has now signed the treaty, which establishes rules to limit environmental impacts and create marine protected areas in the high seas, which make up approximately 95 per cent of the volume of the world’s oceans.

This compilation contains a selection of acts and ordinances – both new and amended – that enter into force around the second half of 2023.

How many people work at the Government Offices? What was the central government budget like last year? How many acts and ordinances were issued last year? The answer to these and other questions can be found in the Swedish Government Offices Yearbook 2022.

The Government works to ensure Sweden’s ambitious and catalytic role in global climate action. Now, the Government is strengthening the conditions for Sweden’s programme for international climate initiatives, in accordance with the Paris Agreement.

Negotiations on major parts of the EU’s comprehensive Fit for 55 climate package were concluded under the Swedish Presidency. The legislative package contains new or updated legislation in the areas of climate and environment, energy and transport, which will lead to EU Member States reducing their emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030 and reaching climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest.

On 26–27 June, Europe’s key stakeholders in the life sciences sector will gather to highlight the importance of research and innovation in personalised medicine. The conference, organised within the framework of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU, will be live-streamed.

On 19–20 June, the Swedish Presidency will host a conference together with the Swedish Research Council and Vinnova on research data, and how research infrastructure provides new possibilities and benefits for society.

Last week, the Government decided to task Business Sweden with strengthening the coordination of efforts to set up large battery plants as part of the automotive industry’s green transition.

As holder of the Presidency of the Council of the EU, Sweden hosted the fourth meeting of the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) in Luleå on 30–31 May. Luleå, located in Sweden’s Arctic region, was selected as the venue to showcase Swedish solutions for the green and industrial transitions.

The importance of maintaining active competition enforcement with regard to markets and companies in times of crisis was a recurring message during the European Competition Day conference.

We are four months into the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU, and good progress has been made in achieving the energy transition and enhancing long-term growth and productivity in the EU. In parallel, negotiations on EU legislation are ongoing – several agreements have been made, including with regard to the European Chips Act and the Renewable Energy Directive.

Minister for Climate and the Environment Romina Pourmokhtari hosted an informal meeting of EU environment ministers in Stockholm on 18–19 April, which was also attended by business leaders from across the EU. The focus of the meeting was the green transition and the role of business in promoting biodiversity, circularity and competitiveness.

On 18–19 April, Minister for Climate and the Environment Romina Pourmokhtari will chair the informal meeting of EU environment ministers at Arlanda. Business leaders will also attend to discuss how decision-makers and businesses can contribute to a green transition in the EU and globally.

Sweden has long played a leading role in the work on international marine environments. On 4 March 2023, the countries of the world agreed on the High Seas Treaty, aimed at protecting the world’s oceans. The Treaty establishes global rules to limit environmental impacts and create protected marine areas beyond national jurisdiction, which make up 95 per cent of the volume of the world’s oceans. The Treaty now makes it possible to achieve the goal of protecting 30 per cent of the earth’s surface.

EU energy ministers will gather on 28 March under the leadership of Minister for Energy, Business and Industry Ebba Busch. The Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (TTE) is expected to adopt a general guideline on the gas and hydrogen package. The aim is to increase the use of renewable and low-carbon gas in the EU’s energy system, while the use of natural gas decreases.

Statement from Minister for Energy, Business, and Industry Ebba Busch.

EU environment ministers are meeting in Brussels on 16 March for the first Environment Council of the year. Among the matters they are expected to agree on is a general approach on a proposal to revise the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED), which contains pollution prevention and control measures. This is a priority issue for the Swedish Presidency.

Statement from Minister for Energy, Business and Industry Ebba Busch.

Today, UN negotiations on an agreement to protect marine biodiversity succeeded after 15 years. The agreement will establish rules to limit environmental impacts and marine protected areas beyond national jurisdiction, which make up 95 per cent of the volume of the world’s oceans. The Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union has led the negotiations on behalf of the EU and its Member States together with the European Commission.

On 27–28 February, Minister for Energy, Business and Industry Ebba Busch and Minister for Infrastructure and Housing Andreas Carlson will host an informal meeting of EU ministers in Stockholm. On the agenda are discussions on the future of energy and transport in the EU.