Sweden is set to miss 15 of 16 environmental goals by 2030

Sweden is expected to meet just one of its 16 environmental quality objectives by 2030 and miss the other 15, according to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, SVT reports.

The goals were adopted by parliament in 1999 to guide the country towards resolving major environmental problems for the next generation. The agency’s assessment is carried out every four years.

“It is worrying when goals are moving in the wrong direction,” said Sabina Vinnmyr, an official at the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. She said the results were expected, as the goals are “visionary in nature”, and noted that it takes time for environmental measures to produce measurable results and for nature to recover.

Sweden is expected to meet the goal of a protective ozone layer. The layer, which filters harmful ultraviolet rays, was previously depleted by substances in the atmosphere, but the agency has observed the first signs of recovery.

The country is also close to meeting the goals for clean air and a safe radiation environment. “There are bright spots. The right measures produce results, and it is important to highlight that so we have the strength to keep working to reverse the trend,” Vinnmyr said.

Progress on several other goals is slow, and some are moving in the wrong direction. The trend is negative for the goal of limiting climate change, which aims to stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations at a level that avoids dangerous human influence on the climate. Sweden is also expected to miss the goals for living forests and a magnificent mountain landscape by 2030.

Vinnmyr said the situation was serious but not hopeless, and that major environmental problems require international agreements. SVT contacted Climate and Environment Minister Romina Pourmokhtari, whose press secretary said she had no comment.

A full, in-depth evaluation of the environmental goals, including conclusions and proposals for the government, is due to be presented in January.