Housing and community planning

Swedish Minister for Environment and Climate, Per Bolund, Minister for Gender Equality and Housing, Märta Stenevi, and Minister for Energy and Digital Development, Anders Ygeman, met with French Minister for Ecological Transition, Barbara Pompili, on her visit to Stockholm, to discuss joint efforts to enhance the green transition at national, European and global levels.

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.

The Government is proposing temporary exemptions to allow field hospitals and temporary buildings to be constructed if the spread of a disease that poses a threat to society means that health and medical care facilities are insufficient to meet the need for care. A proposal entitled ‘Exemptions from the Planning and Building Act in the event of the spread of a disease that poses a threat to society’ was referred to the Council on Legislation.

The Government intends to introduce a climate declaration requirement when buildings are constructed, which will enter into force on 1 January 2022. To implement the measures needed to accomplish this in an efficient and effective manner, the National Board of Housing, Building and Planning will receive SEK 10 million per year up to 2022.

The Government is now proposing enhanced efforts for green and safe communities. The Budget Bill is based on an agreement between the Government, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.

Minister for Financial Markets and Housing Per Bolund talks about how he wants to tackle his new area of responsibility, housing issues, and how he wants to work for stable financial markets that also help make Sweden more environmentally friendly.

This publication is an abridged version and contains the Government Bill “Policy for Designed Living Environment” (Bill 2017/18:110).

Sweden and India today signed a joint innovation partnership to deepen the collaboration between the two countries and contribute to sustainable growth and new job opportunities. The partnership was signed in connection with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Stockholm.

The Government has adopted the infrastructure bill ‘Infrastructure for the future – innovative solutions for strengthened competitiveness and sustainable development’. The bill contains the direction and financial frameworks for investments in transport infrastructure for the planning period 2018–2029. The proposals in the bill will enable us to achieve the goals of a transition to a fossil-free welfare state, a Sweden that stands together, an increase in housing construction and improved conditions for business.

A circular bio-based economy was on the agenda of the National Innovation Council when it met on 1 September 2016. The Government is working on several processes linked to this area. Karl-Henrik Sundström, CEO and Managing Director of Stora Enso, is a member of the Council and spoke at the meeting about how a circular bio-based economy affects Sweden's development and competitiveness.