Environmental problems are something we need to tackle now, and not pass on to future generations. That is the thinking behind Sweden’s environmental objectives – goals that are crucial to our welfare, and that are intended to guide the sum total of Swedish efforts to safeguard the environment.

The overall aim of Swedish environmental policy is to hand over, by 2020, a society in which the major environmental problems facing the country have

been solved. This is summed up in a ‘generational goal’, which describes what is to be protected and what changes need to be made in our society. The generational goal and the 16 environmental quality objectives have been adopted by the Riksdag (the Swedish Parliament), and are a promise to future generations of clean air, a healthy living environment, and rich opportunities to enjoy nature. These Swedish objectives, moreover, are to be achieved without increasing the environmental and health problems of other countries. 

Meeting the environmental objectives will require a concerted effort across the whole of society – by public agencies, business communities, stakeholder organisations and, not least, each of us as individuals. A number of government agencies have a special responsibility for the objectives and for working towards them. Sweden’s environmental goals are also dependent on action at the EU level and around the world, for example to reduce harmful emissions. This calls for an ambitious environmental policy in this country, but also for an active lead by Sweden on environmental issues within the EU, the UN and other international contexts. Hopefully, in that way, we can inspire other countries in the common search for sustainable development.