Energy

As the EU heads of state and government meet in the European Council in Brussels, the agenda includes the COVID-19 vaccine situation and how the EU can advance digital transformation. The high energy prices in many Member States will also be discussed. At Sweden’s initiative, the leaders will hold a strategic discussion on trade issues.

Together with nine other EU Member States, Sweden – through Minister for Energy and Digital Development Anders Ygeman – has signalled that it does not support the proposal to introduce additional requirements on bioenergy in the EU taxonomy. The countries presented their position in a joint letter to the European Commission.

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.

Climate change, the long-term EU budget and the EU’s strategic agenda for the coming institutional cycle were on the agenda when Stefan Löfven and other heads of state or government from EU Member States met in Brussels on 20–21 June. The EU leaders also discussed the EU’s external relations and appointments to several top positions in the EU.

What is needed for the EU to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050? This question was the focus of a seminar at the Permanent Representation of Sweden to the European Union on 4 June, attended by Swedish experts and industry representatives.

When Prime Minister Stefan Löfven met French President Emmanuel Macron today in Paris, the countries’ strategic partnership for innovation, digital transformation and green solutions was updated and deepened. When Mr Löfven and Mr Macron entered into the partnership in November 2017, it was agreed that Sweden and France needed to work together in a number of strategic areas to better address digital transformation and climate adaptation.

This report has been written in accordance with EU regulation 2018/1999/EU on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action. The draft integrated energy and climate plan is a summary of Sweden’s climate change and energy policies and scenarios based on these. The first integrated plan is to be submitted to the Commission at the end of 2019.

As part of efforts to end fossil fuel dependence and achieve Sweden’s goal of reducing transport sector emissions by 70 per cent by 2030, the Government today adopted an ordinance prescribing that consumers receive information at fuel pumps about the climate impact and origin of fuels, such as petrol, diesel, gas and more.

At yesterdays’s launch of the Equal by 30 initiative, Sweden has committed to working globally for the principles of equal pay, equal leadership and equal opportunities for women by 2030. Minister for Policy Coordination and Energy Ibrahim Baylan is to present measures to achieve these aims.

Minister for Policy Coordination and Energy Ibrahim Baylan yesterday announced that the goal of the Global Lighting Challenge has been reached. Over two years, a number of Swedish and international actors have made commitments to bring more efficient lighting to the market.

Sweden and the European Commission, along with a number of other countries and businesses, are urging more stakeholders to back the measures needed to ensure that the world’s battery production is socially, environmentally and economically sustainable.

Halfway into the five-year commitments made at the COP21 climate conference in Paris, Minister for Policy Coordination and Energy Ibrahim Baylan has launched two international innovation competitions: Sustainable Mobility as a Service and Sustainable Local Energy Systems.

The Nordic region will have the most integrated and intelligent sustainable energy solutions. Minister for Policy Coordination and Energy Ibrahim Baylan and the Nordic energy ministers have adopted a declaration on strengthening Nordic leadership in the global energy transition. They also encouraged the Nordic business sector to draw up proposals for promoting Nordic exports of climate-smart clean energy technologies.

In addition to a number of official side events in connection with the ministerial meetings (CEM9/MI-3), diverse energy related activities will take place in the Öresund region May 21 – 24, 2018. Nordic Clean Energy Week is co-hosted by Sweden and Denmark. During the week, politicians, researchers, business and industry will gather to discuss future energy solutions.

On 23–24 May, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, the European Commission and the Nordic Council of Ministers will host the Clean Energy Ministerial and Mission Innovation in Malmö and Copenhagen.

On 22 May, the Nordic energy ministers will meet in Lund, led by Minister for Policy Coordination and Energy Ibrahim Baylan, to discuss deepened Nordic cooperation. The meeting will be followed by two international energy ministerial meetings in Malmö and Copenhagen on 23 and 24 May.

In May 2018, Sweden, the EU and the Nordic countries will together host major energy ministerial meetings. In connection with these meetings, the Öresund region will also host Nordic Clean Energy Week. Politicians, researchers and business representatives will come together to discuss future energy solutions.

Minister for Policy Coordination and Energy Ibrahim Baylan chaired the International Energy Agency (IEA) Ministerial Meeting on 7–8 November in Paris. Swedish priorities regarding enhanced engagement with emerging economies to help accelerate global clean-energy transitions were raised at the meeting.

Prime Minister Stefan Löfven and the French President Emmanuel Macron have signed a strategic partnership for innovation, digital transformation and green solutions. The partnership will help address social challenges, create new jobs and maintain social cohesion.

Opinion piece published in Dagens Nyheter 16 November, by Prime Minister Stefan Löfven and French President Emmanuel Macron.