The OECD regularly reviews countries' environmental policies, evaluates the results and presents
recommendations for improvements. In its latest review, presented in Stockholm today, the OECD praises Sweden's work on green taxes and its success in combining emissions reductions with economic growth. The OECD also describes Sweden as a leader on climate issues in an international perspective and a pioneer in introducing financial policy instruments to improve the climate and the environment
"It's pleasing that the OECD confirms Sweden's strong position in the environmental field and that we continue to be a leader in many areas of environmental policy. It's also valuable to read the OECD's recommendations on how we can work even more effectively to achieve our ambitious environmental policy objectives. We have begun work on making Sweden's unique environmental quality objectives more specific, but we are aware that further action is needed. So we will benefit greatly from the OECD's work," says Minister for the Environment Lena Ek
World class climate policy
Sweden's emissions of greenhouse gases have decreased by 23 per cent since 1990, with particularly sharp reductions since the mid-2000s. The renewable energy target for 2020 has already been passed. The OECD notes that Sweden is aiming to retain its leading role through ambitious and long-term objectives on zero net emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050 and a fossil-free vehicle fleet by 2030. The OECD recommends phasing out exemptions from energy and carbon dioxide taxes and doing more to increase cooperation in Swedish climate policy. The Government shares the OECD's view and has appointed an inquiry on a well-defined roadmap for reaching the 2050 objective. It has also set a checkpoint for climate policy in 2015 and taken part in the initiative to launch the global project New Climate Economy, the aim of which is to show the economic benefits of climate action
Apart from the praise for and recommendations on climate policy, the OECD presents around twenty other recommendations for continued environmental efforts. To achieve Sweden's other national and international commitments, taxes and subsidies in the transport sector need to be evaluated, marine protected areas need to be expanded and work on the environmental objectives needs to be reviewed
Unique environmental objectives
The OECD observes that the Swedish environmental objectives system, with its generational goal, several milestone targets and sixteen environmental quality objectives describing the desired state of Sweden's environment, is unique. The environmental objectives are a substantial commitment to achieve sustainable development, involving the whole of society. In the OECD's view, the actors in the system need to be better mobilised and more resources must be allocated in order to achieve the objectives. Over the past year, the Government has adopted new strategies, milestone targets and concrete measures to achieve the objectives. The responsibilities of 25 government agencies concerning the environmental objectives have been clarified in instructions and the Government will soon be appointing a national coordinator to put a special focus on the role of the business sector in the work on the environmental objectives
Previous review in 2004
The OECD regularly reviews the environmental policies of its member countries. Sweden was last reviewed in 2004. On that occasion, particular emphasis was given to Sweden's work on a green tax shift and its cohesive environmental legislation. At the same time, the OECD presented 44 recommendations for more effective environmental policy and for achieving the environmental objectives.
"As noted by the OECD, Sweden is a pioneer in green taxes, which have enabled us to successfully combine emissions reductions with economic growth. We welcome the OECD's recommendations to develop financial policy instruments in other areas as well,"
says Ms Ek
says Ms Ek
? What has the Government done for the environment between 2010 and 2014
discharges of nutrients to the Baltic Sea, reduced national greenhouse gas emissions and bans on harmful chemicals are some of the results of Swedish environmental policy over the last few years. The Government's overall environment policy during the latest electoral period is summarised in the brochure Miljöpolitiken 2010-2014: Insatser och resultat ('Environmental policy
2010-2014: action and results') from the Ministry of the Environment (available in Swedish only)
- Environmental policy during the 2010-2014 electoral period (Swedish only)
- Information material: Miljöpolitiken 2010-2014: Insatser och resultat ('Environmental policy 2010-2014: action and results'; Swedish only)
The Ministry of the Environment's publication Kronologi över viktiga miljöhändelser i Sverige, mars 2004-mars 2014 ('Chronology of important environmental events in Sweden, March 2004-March 2014') lists the most important government decisions and environmental events during the entire period reviewed by the OECD
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