Environment and climate

At the request of the United States, Sweden has joined the First Movers Coalition (FMC). Sweden will also sit on the FMC advisory board. The FMC brings together companies and countries that are leading the climate transition by driving the development of climate-smart products. Four major Swedish companies are already members of the FMC.

A research partnership was re-launched 18 May for the environment, climate and security. Called the Stockholm Hub on Environment, Climate and Security, it combines the strengths of four world-leading Swedish research institutes in the environment, climate and security area. The hub will receive more funding for its continuing work to promote knowledge development and policy dialogue.

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden Ann Linde and Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, issued the following joint statement:

On 20–23 April, Minister for Finance Mikael Damberg and Minister for International Development Cooperation Matilda Ernkrans will attend the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) and the World Bank Group’s Spring Meetings in Washington DC. The Spring Meetings will focus on the economic impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and what the rest of the world should do to support Ukraine and address the impact.

Prime ministers Jonas Gahr Støre and Magdalena Andersson met on 5 April for talks in Stockholm. The prime ministers agreed to conclude as soon as possible an agreement between Norway and Sweden on the export/import of carbon dioxide to enable cooperation between Norwegian and Swedish companies on the permanent storage of carbon dioxide in the Norwegian continental shelf.

On 31 March, Minister for Climate and the Environment Annika Strandhäll will launch the Sweden-US Green Transition Initiative in Washington. The initiative, which will establish Sweden as a partner for the US in the transition towards a low-carbon economy, is now being launched by Swedish government agencies and the Swedish Embassy in Washington.

The European Council meeting of 24–25 March, one month after Russia began its aggression against Ukraine, focused on the conflict and consequences for the EU. The US President attended the meeting for talks on Thursday evening. On Friday the focus was on Europe’s strategic dependence on Russian fossil fuels, the high energy prices in the EU and the green transition.

On Monday 28 March, Minister for Climate and the Environment Annika Strandhäll will lead a meeting at the UN Headquarters in New York. The UN is hosting the meeting as part of the practical preparations for the Stockholm+50 international meeting.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led to rising fuel and electricity prices. To strengthen Sweden in this extraordinary situation, the Government is presenting a package of measures with both short- and long-term investments. The package includes reduced fuel taxes, a new compensatory payment for fuel costs for private individuals who own cars, increased housing allowance for families with children and a new travel deduction system. Minister for Finance Mikael Damberg presented this package at a press conference today

The United Nations Environment Assembly decided to initiate negotiations on a global agreement to end plastic pollution at its meeting in Nairobi on 2 March. In conjunction with the Environment Assembly, the United Nations Environment Programme celebrated the 50th anniversary of its founding.

Eva Nordmark. Minister for Employment and Gender Equality. Commission on the Status of Women. New York. 15 March 2022. Check against delivery.

On 14–17 March, Minister for Employment and Gender Equality Eva Nordmark will take part in a session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW66). The theme is achieving gender equality in the context of climate change.

Towards a green and sustainable deal for sport, digital conference, 3 March 2022, European parliament, Strasbourg Check against delivery.

The United Nations Environment Assembly endorsed a historic resolution to initiate negotiations on a global agreement on plastic pollution. This will be the most important environmental agreement since the Paris Agreement. Sweden has long been a driving force for a global solution to plastic pollution.

In the proposal referred to the Council on Legislation for consideration, the Government proposes amendments to the Swedish Environmental Code and the Mineral Act that entail a ban on the extraction of coal, lignite, crude oil, shale oil and natural gas similar to the ban on uranium extraction. The Government also presents proposals aimed at tightening regulatory framework for the extraction of alum shale.

Minister for Climate and the Environment Annika Strandhäll is participating in the fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, on 28 February–3 March. Sweden is pushing for negotiations on a global agreement on plastic pollution and a green post-pandemic recovery.

The virtual side-event “Towards Stockholm 50: Transforming global value chains for a healthy planet and prosperity for all” at UNEA 5.2 focuses on sustainable global value chain initiatives as a key input towards the UN high level meeting Stockholm +50 in June 2022.

Heads of state and government from the EU and the African Union (AU) will meet in Brussels on 17–18 February. It is the seventh time the EU and AU leaders will meet. The aim is to establish foundations for a renewed and deepened partnership between the two unions. The leaders are expected to adopt a joint declaration on closer cooperation in a range of areas. Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson will represent Sweden.

The Government has today decided to permit the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel at Forsmark in Östhammar Municipality. The Government has also decided to permit construction of the encapsulation plant that is needed to handle the spent nuclear fuel in Oskarshamn Municipality.