GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION 2003/04:129 A Swedish …

A Swedish Strategy for Sustainable Development – Economic, Social and Environmental

GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION 2003 / 04:129SUMMARY

Produced by the Swedish Ministry of the Environment

Graphic design: Typisk Form designbyrå

Printing: EO Print AB, 3,000 copies, June 2004

Paper: Scandia 2000

Photographs: Göran Gustafson / Pressens Bild, Lena Paterson / Tiofoto, Jan Håkan Dahlström / Bildhuset

Artikelnummer: M 2004.06

Contents

Vision and premises 4

Introduction 5

International initiatives

Key issues in connection with future global efforts to promote sustainable development 6

Increased support and accountability at regional and other levels 7

Internal and global efforts by the EU to achieve sustainable development 7

National, regional and local initiatives and institutional issues 8

Future strategic issues 9

Core areas – measures adopted and continued action 12

The future environment 12

Limitation of climate change 12

Population and public health 13

Social cohesion, welfare and security 14

Employment and learning in a knowledge society 16

Sustainable economic growth and competitiveness 16

Regional development and regional conditions 18

Development of sustainable community planning 19

Tools for sustainable development 21

Continued implementation and follow-up 22

The government’s vision of sustainable deve-lopment is based on the following principles:

All policy decisions must take account ofthe longer-term economic, social and envi-ronmental implications.

Sustainable development involves safe-guarding and utilising existing resources ina sustainable way. It is also about efficientresource utilisation and its enhancement,and the long-term management of andinvestment in human, social and materialresources. Protecting natural resourcesand safeguarding health are essential to thedevelopment and prosperity of every socie-ty. Sustainable development is itself sus-tained within a given society by the labour,know-how and creativity of its citizens.

The policy goals implicit in any vision of asustainable society must be solidarity andjustice in every country, between countriesand from generation to generation. A sus-tainable society is one in which economicdevelopment, social welfare and socialcohesion go hand in hand with a soundenvironment. Such a society meets its cur-rent needs without compromising the abili-ty of future generations to meet theirs.

A sustainable society must be imbuedwith democratic values. Its citizens mustshare a sense of participation in the deci-sion-making process. They must feel theyhave a say their society’s development andthe will and ability to assume responsibili-ty for that development.

A SWEDISH STRATEGY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

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A sustainable society is prepared to investover the long term in its two key resources:people and the environment. Such a societymust take account of what the environmentand the health of its citizens can tolerate,and be designed accordingly.

A sustainable society must create condi-tions conducive to good health on equalterms for the entire population. Citizensmust enjoy the same opportunities irre-spective of gender, socio-economic class orethnic / cultural background.

A sustainable society is distinguished bysound management and efficient use of itsnatural resources. It business sector iscompetitive and economic growth ishealthy. Its welfare systems can readily beadapted to demographic changes.

In a sustainable society, major environmen-tal problems are solved by reducing theimpact on the environment to levels whichare sustainable in the long term.

To achieve this vision, the government hasdrawn up a strategy based on three keypremises:

Sustainable development in Sweden canonly be achieved within the context ofglobal and regional co-operation.

Sustainable development policies, meas-ures and concerns must be mainstreamed,i.e. integrated into all existing policy areas.

Further action at national level will beneeded to ensure long-term protection of

Vision and premises

The task of implementing Sweden’s strategy forsustainable development is the responsibility ofthe Government Offices as a whole. The govern-ment has set up a special body in the Prime

Minister’s Office, Co-ordinantion Unit forSustainable Development, to co-ordinate inter-national and national efforts in this field andstrengthen strategic initiatives.

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The Swedish Strategy for Sustainable Econo-mic, Social and Environmental Development(2003 / 04:129) is a revised version of thenational strategy for sustainable developmentpresented in 2002. Drawn up in co-operationwith the Left Party, the strategy builds on

the 2002 World Summit on SustainableDevelopment held in Johannesburg, the EU

strategy for sustainable development and theso-called Lisbon process, and addresses thethree dimensions of sustainable development:economic, social and environmental.

Introduction

the critical resources that constitute thebasis for sustainable development. Theseinclude natural resources, people’s health,skills and expertise, infrastructure and thebuilt environment.

During its term of office (2002–2006) the

government will focus on four key areas:environmentally driven growth and welfare,good health – the most vital resource for thefuture – coherent policies for sustainablecommunity planning and a viable child andyouth policy for an ageing society.

The national strategy is based inter alia onthe proceedings and conclusions of the WorldSummit on Sustainable Development held inJohannesburg in 2002 and the MillenniumDevelopment Goals adopted in 2000.

The Johannesburg summit adopted a poli-tical declaration and an implementation plan.The term sustainable development was recog-nised as a key principle, to be embodied in all

UN programmes. There are three overarchingobjectives: poverty reduction, promotion ofsustainable consumption and production pat-terns and preservation of the natural re-source base for economic and social develop-ment. All countries will be expected to com-mence implementation of national sustainabledevelopment strategies in 2005.

International initiatives

Key issues in connection with futureglobal efforts to promote sustainabledevelopment

Sustainable development in Sweden is closelylinked to sustainable development in the restof the world. Globalisation poses a continuingchallenge. Central issues include:

Equitable, sustainable global developmentsustained by contributions from all policyareas, the need to ensure that all measuresand initiatives are based on people’s rights,and the importance of ensuring that prior-ity is given to the needs of the poor.

The tasks of the Swedish Armed Forces in-clude participation in international peacesupport operations. Account must betaken of the environment in all interna-tional operations.

Trade for sustainable development: simpli-fied trade regulations, eco-labelling and har-monised trade and development assistancepolicies should be adopted in the interestsof a better environment and greater respectfor human rights. International corruptionmust be combated more effectively.

Combating poverty is about creatingopportunities for people to improve theirliving conditions. All efforts must be based


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on developing countries’ own priorities andstrategies.

The fight against HIV / AIDS: measures tocheck the spread of HIV / AIDS and otherdiseases are being implemented by theWorld Health Organisation (WHO) and atnational level. Swedish government effortsinclude preventive measures, health care,medical treatment and research.

Sustainable consumption and productionpatterns: a 10-year framework of pro-grammes will be drawn up. Sweden is anactive participant in the Marrakechprocess, which is aimed inter alia at identi-fying needs at local, regional and interna-tional level.

Water and sanitation: one of the goals ofsustainable development is to increaseaccess to drinkable water and basic sanita-tion, primarily in poor countries. Swedenwill continue to pursue these issues innational and international bodies.

Housing and sustainable building: Swedenis an active contributor to UN-led inter-national initiatives in support of housingfinance policies for poor people. Measuresalso include support for better communityplanning and protection of tenancy rights.

Development targets:

> A 50% reduction by 2015 in the number ofpeople living in extreme poverty and sufferingfrom hunger.

> Access to basic education for all children andyoung people.

> Promote gender equality.

> Better conditions for women.

> Reduced infant and child mortality.

> Reversal of development trends for HIV/AIDS,malaria and other diseases.

> Environmental sustainability with particularregard to water and sanitation systems, energy,and housing and buildings.

> Global development co-operation.

Follow-up of the Millennium Development Goals in a UN report to be published in 2005.

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Energy: several countries in and outsideEurope, including Sweden, form part of acoalition for renewable energy. Priority isgiven to sustainable solutions involving theprivate sector.

Increased support and accountability atregional and other levels

Efforts must be made to coordinate sustain-able development approaches and strategychoices by organisations active in internation-al, Nordic and other networks. Principal bo-dies here include the Organisation for Econo-mic Co-operation and Development (OECD),the Nordic Council of Ministers, the WHO

and Baltic 21 (Agenda 21 in the Baltic Searegion).

Sustainable development is the overall goalof the OECD. The organisation has developedindicators and identified obstacles to policywork on sustainable development. Sweden isactively concerned to promote and strengthenthese efforts.

The essential concern of the WHO is thepromotion of health and sustainable develop-ment. Its European Region initiatives in con-nection with the health strategy Health 21

and the interlinking of environmental andhealth issues are of crucial significance.

The revised Nordic Strategy for Sustain-able Development attaches greater importan-ce than formerly to social and economic con-cerns. Sweden has placed particular emphasison issues relating to chemicals, food safety,education, public health, pension systems andsustainable production and consumption pat-terns.

Internal and global efforts by the EU toachieve sustainable development

The EU Strategy for Sustainable Develop-ment, which completes and builds on theLisbon strategy – aimed at making the EU themost competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sus-tainable economic growth with more and bet-ter jobs and greater social cohesion – wasadopted in June 2001. Four key areas werehighlighted:

Combating climate change.

The need for sustainable transport.

Threats to public health, including commu-nicable diseases and the use of chemicals.

More responsible management of naturalresources.

The EU also prioritises issues concerningenvironmental management at global level andlinks between trade and environmental poli-cies. Sweden pursued the issue of renewableenergy and energy efficiency ahead of the EU

Summit in 2004.Higher employment rates, greater social

cohesion, prioritisation of innovation andentrepreneurship, a strong single market andenvironmental protection for growth and jobsare crucial to the achievement of sustainabledevelopment.


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Sustainable development combined with agood living environment and adequate welfarecalls for active efforts at national, regional andlocal level. Enterprises, Non-governmentalorganisations (NGOs), institutions, publicauthorities, municipal and county councils,and private individuals can all contribute.

At national level, relevant authorities arerequired to take the principles of sustainabledevelopment into account in the course oftheir work, e.g. in connection with issuesrelating to the environment and resourcemanagement.

Public health measures must be coordinat-ed and focused on the attainment of a nation-al public health goal. At regional level, region-al development programmes, which furnishthe basis for traffic planning work, wastemanagement, labour supply and the coordina-tion of education efforts, must reflect thegovernment’s vision of sustainable develop-ment.

County administrative boards, regionalgovernment authorities and local governmentassociations play a vital role in implementingnational sustainable development strategies atregional and local level. Local efforts to pro-mote sustainability through programmes likeAgenda 21 have already had a major impactin Sweden. Examples include work on localenvironmental goals, local investment pro-

grammes, climate investment programmes,model communities programmes (MCP), wel-fare balance sheets and public heath objec-tives.

Voluntary associations such as advocacygroups, religious societies, sports clubs andother organisations play a vital role in thedevelopment of society. The government con-siders that full use should be made of allavailable knowledge and experience.

The business community contributes tosustainable development by being competitiveand generating employment, developing newtechnologies, introducing long-term measuresaimed at supporting employees and assumingglobal responsibility for its operations.

The choices and activities of individualcitizens affect production and consumptionpatterns. They also have an effect on publicparticipation and democratic developmentand a measurable impact on public health.Opinions and solutions must be widely debat-ed. Experience based on gender and social or ethnic background is invaluable. Greater gen-der equality and integration are thereforeessential to the promotion of sustainabledevelopment.

As the sustainable development vision isessentially a question of values and outlookon life, more information and education inthis sphere will be needed.

National, regional and local initiatives and institutional issues

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Our civilisation rests on our ability to man-age, utilise and create the resources on whichour economies are based. The resources weare most dependent on include all naturalresources, infrastructure and buildings, andhuman resources. All of these can either berenewed or have a long lifetime. In mostcases, it also takes considerable time to buildup and affect such resources. Meanwhile, weare all becoming increasingly interdependent.Sustainable development in Sweden is inex-tricably linked to sustainable development inthe world at large. The government has iden-tified four issues of strategic importance tothe future of sustainable development:

1. Environmentally driven growth andwelfare

Efforts must be made to promote and boostprosperity throughout the world withoutimpairing the global climate, damaging eco-systems or undermining people’s health. Con-certed support for environmentally drivengrowth will create new opportunities forinternational and European co-operation,serving in turn to strengthen policy-makingat all levels. Other positive effects includethe creation of networks between the busi-ness community, public institutions andNGOs.

Energy is a key area. Energy-saving andefficient energy utilisation are vital concerns,as are access to water and sanitation. Majordevelopment assistance initiatives and thetransfer of technological know-how andexpertise are essential. Sweden and the EU

are currently seeking to abolish tariffs andother trade barriers applying to environmen-tally sound goods and services.

Thanks to its environmental awareness,holistic approach and high environmental pro-tection standards, Sweden’s is a prominentplayer and an important driving force in thecontext of international environmental initia-tives. Swedish industry, for example, has in-troduced more environmentally sound pro-duction processes. Consumers are alsoimportant; changing demand patterns canhelp stimulate more sustainable productionof goods and services. An action plan for sus-tainable household consumption is beingdrawn up.

2. Good health – our most importantfuture resource

Economic growth, a healthy environment andhigh public health standards are interdepend-ent. High illness rates and persistent socialand gender-related health disparities pose aserious threat to sustainable development.The same applies to environmental problemssuch as uncontrolled use of toxic substancesand ambient noise. Investment in health isessential if society is to cope with the stress-es and strains caused by ill health.

The fight against illness and disease mustbe a central element of all policies aimed atpromoting social justice and combatingpoverty.

Public health issues feature prominently ininternational efforts to promote sustainabledevelopment. Examples include implementa-

Future strategic issues


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regional level will be based on existingregional growth and development program-mes. Attention will also be focused on ruraldevelopment issues, including the EU’s newagricultural policy. Swedish know-how andexpertise, based on its traditional strengths –urban planning, building construction andenvironmental technology – will furnish animportant basis for continued work at inter-national level. Swedish municipal and countycouncils already cooperate with regions andparties in other countries on the Baltic rim,in Asia, Africa and Central America.

4. Child and youth policies for an ageing society

Fewer economically active people are havingto support increasing numbers of pensionersand children. Thus a key question, and a pri-ority issue in the context of internationalsustainability efforts, is how to support thepresent and future younger generations.

Recent years have seen a relative decline inthe economic and social circumstances ofyoung people in Sweden. Vigorous effortsshould be made to strengthen this group.Poor integration, unemployment, long-termdependence on social security benefits andmental illness are all major problems whichhave even affected the birth rate. As most ofSweden’s foreign-born citizens are childrenand young people, improving conditions forthe young will also entail a stronger focus onintegration issues. While there is a need forpeople in this category to improve theirSwedish language skills, Sweden should turnthe substantial resources of this group togood account.

Due to unemployment, high costs forhousing and insecure conditions of work,women are starting having children at

tion of Agenda 21, the Millennium Develop-ment Goals and the Johannesburg Plan ofImplementation. Public health is also a prio-rity issue at the WHO and the key concern ofthe EU Public Health Programme. Sweden’snew public health policy is targeted at factorsaffecting public health. Pressing objectivesinclude greater public participation andempowerment, economic and social security,secure, favourable conditions for children togrow up in, reduced tobacco and alcohol con-sumption, healthier eating habits andlifestyles, and effective protection againstcommunicable diseases.

3. Coherent policies for sustainablecommunity planning

Regional imbalance is a growing problem inmany countries including Sweden. Massmigration from the countryside has beenaccompanied by the deterioration of urbanliving environments. Today, these problemsare high on the international and Europeanagenda.

Measures to tackle social segregation, lackof housing and inadequate transport capacityare vital. Infrastructure and living environ-ments must be capable of supporting sustain-able economic, social and environmentaldevelopment over the long term. Effectivecommunity planning not only serves to pro-mote enterprise development but can alsohelp expand local labour markets.

In 2004–2005, UN efforts to promote sus-tainable development will focus primarily onwater and sanitation, housing and sustainablebuilding. Sustainable development of urbanareas is high on the agenda. In Sweden, theNational Committee for Agenda 21 andHabitat have both proposed that activities inthis area be intensified. Continued efforts at

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cile work and family life. Attention shouldalso be focused on disparities – in terms ofneeds and opportunities – between girls andboys in society.

increasingly higher ages. From the standpointof family and gender equality policy, sustain-able development is about creating conditionswhich allow women as well as men to recon-


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The future environment

Ecological sustainability – Swedish environmental goals

The overall aim of Swedish environmentalpolicy is to hand on to the next generation asociety in which the major environmentalproblems have been solved. To this end, thegovernment has drawn up 15 environmentalquality objectives. These identify future envi-ronmental goals and define the direction ofSweden’s environmental work at national, EU

and international level.Three basic environmental strategies have

been adopted. These are based on the needfor greater energy efficiency and more effi-cient transport systems, non-toxic, resource-saving ecocycles, environmentally soundproducts, efficient management of land andwater resources and a sound built environ-ment.

Nature conservation and biologicaldiversity

Nature conservation and the preservation ofbiological diversity are the cornerstones of asustainable society. As of 2004, the govern-ment will allocate SEK 300 million over athree-year period in an effort to encouragelocally based nature conservation projects.Other initiatives include increased supportfor nature reserves, action to reduce acidifi-cation of Sweden’s lakes and measures aimedat preserving biological diversity on agricul-tural land.

The sea

Shipping, fishing, toxic effluents, over-fertilisa-tion and climate change all have a detrimentalimpact on the marine environment. In 2005,the government will propose measures design-ed to break this negative trend. The goal inthis sector is a balanced marine environmentand a living coastline and archipelago.

Sweden actively promotes international ini-tiatives to preserve the marine environment.It has been proactive in efforts to classify theBaltic Sea as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area(PSSA). It has also played an active part inimplementing the strategy drawn up by theEU to protect and preserve the marine envi-ronment. The environmental impact of ship-ping and fishing will be addressed at a minis-terial meeting in 2006.

Towards a non-toxic environment

A crucial task over the next few years will beto pursue efforts in connection with new EU

chemical legislation and a global chemicalstrategy. In the last two years, a number ofstrategies and proposed measures have beenadvanced by Sweden and the EU. Examples ofthe former include demands for better infor-mation about chemicals in goods and areduction in the use of hazardous substances.

Limitation of climate change

Levels of greenhouse gas emissions could nowprecipitate sweeping climate change. The goalis to reduce emissions to at least 4 per centbelow the 1999 level during 2008–2012.

Core areas – measures adopted and continuedaction

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If this target is not met, the governmentmay propose further measures or recommendthat the target be revised. Thanks to the UN

Framework Convention on Climate Changeadopted in 1992 and the 1997 KyotoProtocol, there is a broad measure of politicalagreement on the need to reduce the green-house effect. An EU directive on greenhousegas emissions will enter into force in 2005.

Sweden, which has long supported effortsto promote alternative energy sources, appliesa range of economic controls aimed at reduc-ing emission levels. A number of inquirycommittees are currently looking into ways ofreducing emissions. Options include a revisedenergy tax, a new road traffic tax and moreefficient energy use in buildings. Work on anational data collection and emission report-ing system is also under way.

Population and public health

Population trends and sustainable socialprotection systems

Sweden’s population is ageing, mainly as aresult of higher living standards, healthierlifestyles and medical progress. There will be2 million people aged 65 and over living inSweden by 2020. Too few children are beingborn to compensate for the declining size ofthe working-age population. At the sametime, increasing numbers of people experi-ence working life as stressful and costs inconnection with sickness absence and earlyretirement are mounting.

Coping with the pressures of demographicchange will mean harnessing the capacity ofevery member of the community. The govern-ment’s policy aim is to ensure that a largerproportion of the working-age populationcontinues in or returns to working life. Thegovernment has accordingly introduced a raft

of public health measures. A key goal is tohalve sickness absence in 2002–2008. Othermeasures include more support for familieswith children and a pension scheme appropri-ate to a sustainable social protection systemand a fair deal for present and coming gener-ations.

A special EU committee responsible forcoordinating social matters and pension co-operation at European level has been in placesince 2002.

Public health

Implementation of Sweden’s new public healthpolicy is in progress. Action is targeted at fac-tors that affect public health. Pressing objec-tives include greater public participation andempowerment, economic and social protec-tion, secure, favourable conditions for chil-dren to grow up in, improved health in work-ing life, effective protection against communi-cable diseases, healthier eating habits andlifestyles, including increased physical activityand reduced tobacco and alcohol consump-tion.

Work at national, regional and local level iscoordinated by a national steering committeeon public health. A special report on publichealth development and implementation ofthe government bill Public Health Goals willbe submitted to the Riksdag (parliament).

Sweden is also seeking to promote a coher-ent public health policy within the EU, interalia in connection with the implementationthe EU Public Health Programme, which runsfrom 2003 to 2008. At the initiative of theEU, a European Centre for Disease Preventionand Control will be set up in Sweden. Publichealth issues of pressing concern are alsobeing addressed through the WHO, whereSweden plays an active role.


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Working life

The aims of the government’s policy on work-ing life are to promote good working condi-tions and opportunities for development atwork for women and men. An 11-point pro-gramme aimed at promoting health in workinglife and emphasising inter alia employerresponsibility, was launched in the autumn of2001. The government has also proposedadditional resources for work environmentcontrol programmes and the activities ofregional workplace safety representatives.

Areas addressed by ongoing public sectorprojects include rehabilitation, physical andmental stress, the working environment, theelderly in working life and health audits. In2003, priorities for the European Employ-ment Strategy were approved by the EU. Anew work environment strategy for 2002–

2005 was adopted in the same year.

Food

Food must be safe. Consumers must be ade-quately informed about food and the signifi-cance of eating habits for ecologically, social-ly and economically sustainable development.Trading enterprises and producers must alsoassume their share of responsibility. The EU

Council of Ministers has put forward a pro-posal on common food hygiene regulations.Sweden has proposed simplifying the rulesgoverning entry to the European market ofecological products from developing coun-tries. Other initiatives include proposals onbetter food control, funding to help farmersdevelop small-scale food cultivation, moreinformation for consumers and support forthe development of voluntary industry agree-ments.

Social cohesion, welfare and security

Social participation

Social cohesion and participation, genderequality, the development of children andyoung people, a vibrant culture and securityfrom crime are essential preconditions forsustainable development. The government’sgoal is a significant reduction in the numberof socially and economically vulnerable people by 2010. Criteria are income, educa-tion, employment, days lost through sickness,drug abuse and homelessness. Reports on theoutcomes of action plans against drug abuse,poverty and social exclusion respectively aredue out in 2005.

Integration and diversity

Efforts to counter ethnic discrimination havehigh priority. A new integration policy wasadopted by the Riksdag in 2002. The follow-ing year saw the passage of the Ethnic Discri-mination Act (2003:307). Several inquiries –focusing inter alia on education – are cur-rently in progress. The integration policygoals are:

Equal rights, responsibility and opportuni-ty for all, irrespective of ethnic or culturalbackground.

Community based on diversity.

A society characterised by mutual respectfor differences between people within theframework of that society’s democratic values, and in which everyone, regardlessof background, can play an active andresponsible part.

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Gender equality

The overall goal of gender equality policy isto ensure that women and men enjoy thesame opportunities, rights and responsibili-ties in all walks of life. A gender equalityperspective must be present in all areas andat every level and stage of the decision-making process. Priority will be given to thefollowing five areas:

Representation: equitable distribution ofpower and influence.

Equal pay for equal work or work of equalvalue.

Violence committed by men againstwomen, prostitution and trafficking inwomen for sexual purposes.

Men and gender equality.

Sexualisation of the public domain.

Development and participation of children and young people

The government’s aim is to ensure that chil-dren and young people are respected, candevelop in safe and secure conditions, partici-pate in the political process and have a say inthe decisions affecting them and their socie-ty. The principles of the UN Convention onthe Rights of the Child must permeate allaspects of government policy and all publicservices affecting children and young people.The Child Ombudsman is a proactive entityin this context.

A committee of inquiry appointed in 2003

was tasked with proposing measures aimed atyoung people aged 16–24 who neither worknor study. The National Board for YouthAffairs will be given SEK 30 million over athree-year period for projects to tackle the

exclusion of young people from the labourmarket. A working party composed of min-istry representatives has been commissionedto investigate conditions for children in eco-nomically vulnerable families. The govern-ment also plans to further develop the natio-nal strategy in order to fully implement theUN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Agovernment bill containing proposals for anew, proactive youth policy will be putbefore the Riksdag in 2004.

Security from crime

The aim in this policy area is to reduce crimeand enhance security. Activities must bebased on the interests and wishes of citizens.Crime prevention work should be undertakenwith the help of local crime prevention coun-cils, central business organisations, and, atinternational level, in co-operation with net-works within the EU. Sexual crime laws, thelegal sanctions system for young people anddrink-driving legislation will be reviewed.Additional resources will be allocated to thepolice and efforts will be made to enhancethe efficiency of the prosecution service andthe courts. In drafting a new penal care act,special attention will be focused on ways ofpreventing recidivism without compromisingstandards of security and community protec-tion.

Culture

The aims of cultural policy must be to safe-guard freedom of expression and create con-ditions in which people can truly exercisethat freedom. Everyone must be able to takepart in cultural life, experience culture andengage in creative activities of their own.Implicit in these aims are goals such as cul-


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tural diversity, artistic renewal and quality,and the enjoyment and preservation a soci-ety’s cultural heritage. Policy measures mustbe based on a holistic view of human beingsand their environment and integrated into allsectors of society. Free admission to statemuseums will gradually be introduced from2004 in an effort to encourage greater accessto and participation in cultural life. The linkbetween culture and health and issues relat-ing to culture at work should be emphasised.Creating opportunities for people to experi-ence culture is a vital aspect of public healthwork. To enhance knowledge in these fields, anew body, the Architecture, Form andDesign Council has been set up by the gov-ernment.

Employment and learning in a knowledge society

Employment

Continued investment in education and re-search is crucial to the realisation of Sweden’soverall policy goal – to be a leading knowledgesociety. The principle of lifelong learning isessential to efforts to maintain high rates ofemployment and international competitive-ness.

Priority is given to measures to encouragepermanent employment. An interim policygoal is for 80 per cent of people between theages of 20 and 64 to be in regular employ-ment by the end of 2004. Principal policyaims are to confirm the role of unemploy-ment insurance as readjustment insurance, tocounter manpower shortages and to helpthose who experience particular difficultyfinding work, such as young people, immi-grants and the disabled.

Lifelong learning

The UN has declared 2004–2014 the Decadeof Education for Sustainable Development.Sweden believes it is well equipped to meetthe challenge. The principle of sustainabledevelopment has been incorporated into edu-cation curricula at all levels and teacher edu-cation programmes. A special committee hasbeen set up to survey and assess efforts byeducation systems at all levels to promoteeconomically, socially and environmentallysustainable development, and to encouragefurther initiatives.

Research and Development

The government’s overall policy aim is to helpSweden become and remain a leading researchnation. To this end, authorities responsible forfunding research were reorganised in 2001.Initiatives by authorities and institutions ofhigher education in areas of special impor-tance for sustainable development also play avital role. New technologies must be develop-ed to promote more efficient use of energyand resources. Special support has been madeavailable for research into biological diversityand ecologically sustainable development.

Sustainable economic growth and competitiveness

A sustainable economy

Sustainable development cannot be achievedwithout reference to social and environmentalconcerns. The negative impact of the produc-tion and consumption of goods and services onpeople and the environment must be kept to aminimum. Economic policy instrumentsshould be applied to encourage more sustain-able consumption and production patterns.

The government has implemented a raft of

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reforms designed to create a more stable andefficient economy. Examples include tax andpension reforms, a stiffer competition act andchanges in the housing, transport, communi-cations and energy sectors. Other measures,aimed at boosting employment and enhancingsocial development, have been targeted pri-marily at young people, immigrants, unem-ployed people and the sick.

Efforts to support sustainable developmenthave also involved changes in the tax system.Areas affected include road traffic, wastemanagement and disposal, and carbon dioxideemissions. An expert group on environmentalstudies appointed in 2003 has been taskedwith enhancing decision support data to beused as a basis for future environmental andeconomic policy decision-making in the envi-ronmental sphere.

Sustainable enterprise

The enterprise sector contributes to sustain-able development by generating growth with-out compromising the environment or humanresources. Corporate management must en-sure that business operations are conductedin a responsible and ethical manner. Sweden’spolicy in this regard is based on internation-ally agreed conventions and guidelines con-cerning human rights, core labour standards,sustainable devlopment and corruption.

Implemented and planned measures include:

Provision of information, advice, continu-ing professional development and financingassistance to small enterprises and othercompanies.

Dialogues with the business communityaimed at strengthening the integration ofsustainable development concerns intocompany operations.

Provision of guidelines for enterprise onsocial and environmental responsibility.The Swedish Partnership for GlobalResponibility programme is one example.

Simplification of regulations governing theoperations of small enterprises.

Promotion of women’s and immigrants’entrepreneurship.

Capital provision for small enterprises.

Funding for the development of environ-mental technology and the commercialisa-tion of research findings.

Promotion of effective competition.

Promotion of environment-oriented prod-uct policies.

Innovation systems and technologytransfer

Innovation is essential to sustainable develop-ment. Seldom the product of individualendeavour, occurring in isolation, innovationis typically the result of teamwork and inter-action. The government is currently drawingup an innovation strategy aimed at strength-ening Sweden’s ability to generate know-howand expertise and translate it into sustainabledevelopment and new jobs. This will involvesufficient numbers of educated, knowledge-able people, closer collaboration betweeninstitutions of higher education, laws and regulations that support and encourage inno-vation and sufficient venture capital.

Sustainable consumption patterns

It is vital that the negative impact of con-sumption patterns on people and the environ-ment is kept to a minimum. A complex of


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many factors of which the consumer is moreor less aware and over which she / he hasvarying degrees of influence, consumptionpatterns are difficult to change. A govern-ment committee of inquiry set up in thespring of 2004 will seek to establish a closerdefinition of sustainable consumption andpropose a plan of action.

Another important step is the govern-ment’s ongoing work on a new consumer poli-cy strategy clearly showing the connection tosustainable development. A new EC directiveon public procurement will facilitate theadoption of more rigorous environmental andsocial standards.

Regional development and regional conditions

The aim of the government’s regional develop-ment is to stimulate economic growth andvitality throughout Sweden. The regionaldevelopment and growth programmes, whichare followed up annually, are importantinstruments in this connection.

Regional development

The long-term goal here is the establishmentthroughout the country of efficient, sustain-able local labour market regions with ade-quate standards of service. Objectives in-clude economic growth, gender equality andwelfare, reduced environmental impact, goodhealth and a good living environment. Allcounties have submitted proposals for growthprogrammes for the period 2004–2007. EU

Structural Funds, aimed at stimulatinggrowth and competitiveness, are an importantinstrument in this connection.

Forests as a resource

Forestry policy goals are both production- andenvironment-related. The former kind are con-cerned with the efficient, responsible use offorest resources and high, sustained yields.The latter are concerned with preserving theproduction capacity of forest lands. Achievingthese objectives will require a great deal morework. There will be an independent evaluationand review of forestry policy. At Europeanlevel, five resolutions on Europe’s forests wereadopted in 2003. These are concerned witheconomic sustainability, biological diversity,the social value of forests and sustainableforestry. The possibility of a global forest con-vention is under discussion at the UN.

Agriculture, fishing and reindeer husbandry

Sweden was an active participant in the 2003

reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.The reform will give farmers greater freedomto meet market demands. More funding willbe made available for environmental andrural development. A Swedish animal protec-tion authority was established in 2004. TheEU has imposed a total ban on antibiotics inanimal feed. Sweden is also pressing forreduced animal transport times in the EU.Measures aimed at ensuring that animal feedis not harmful to humans, animals or theenvironment have been given priority.

In the fishing sector, regional advisorycouncils for different sea areas will be estab-lished throughout the EU. Similar consulta-tion groups involving players in the industrywill also be strengthened at local and regionallevel in Sweden.

A new Norwegian-Swedish convention ondomestic reindeer grazing has been convened.A number of inquiries and information proj-

ects on Sami rights and culture are also inprogress.

Development of sustainable communityplanning

Sustainable community planning should bebased on a holistic approach in which ecologi-cal, economic, social and cultural aspects andconcerns are interwoven. Different interestsmust be balanced against one another whendealing with buildings, infrastructure andinstallations.

The built environment

The fact that growing numbers of peoplearound the world are living and working incities and towns is both beneficial and detri-mental to the environment. The depopulationof parts of the country’s more sparsely popu-lated areas poses major challenges. In the gov-ernment’s view, town and country planningand building must be further developed andbrought into line with sustainable develop-ment policy goals, and a review of planningand building legislation has therefore beenundertaken. Environmental quality goals,including the Good Built Environment goal,will be further developed. Efforts to improvethe indoor environment and promote higherquality building design, construction andmaintenance standards are to continue. Fewerproblems caused by radon, damp or mouldare a sub-goal for the indoor environment.Inter-disciplinary research and study projectsare therefore vital.

The EU and Sweden are currently workingto improve and develop new methods of cal-culating costs and environmental impacts inthe building sector. A number of joint projectsin Sweden, involving the central government,

the building sector, municipal and countycouncils and other bodies have resulted inagreements on a range of issues includinghealthy indoor environments, efficient energyand resource utilisation and continuing pro-fessional development. Several inquiries haveaddressed problems such as serious cases offaulty construction, inflated prices, illegallabour and maintenance requirements in thehousing market. New regulations aimed interalia at improving access to buildings, etc. aredesigned to make life easier for the disabled,the elderly and families with children.

In 2004–2005 urban development issueswill be discussed at a number of internation-al meetings and conferences, including withinthe UN system.

Energy

Sweden’s short- and long-term energy policygoal is to ensure access to electricity andother forms of energy on competitive terms.Adverse effects on health, the environmentand the climate must be kept to a minimum.

Alternative policy solutions to nuclearpower include more efficient energy use, atransition to renewable types of energy andenvironmentally acceptable electricity pro-duction methods. The use of fossil fuelsshould be kept to a minimum.

The use of renewable energy sources andprogrammes aimed at enhancing energy effi-ciency will be encouraged with the help ofvarious financial support schemes. The gov-ernment plans to submit proposals for a long-term energy policy programme in 2004. Ascheme for trading in GHG emission allowan-ces within the Community will be intro-duced in 2005.

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Transport systems and infrastructure

Continued efforts will be made to developeconomic policy levers to promote the use ofenvironmentally sound road vehicles, vessels,airplanes and motor fuels. Major investmentaimed at strengthening prospects for sustain-able development is now being made in theroad and rail network. Six sub-goals – avail-ability, transport quality, safe transport, asound, healthy environment, favourableregional development and a gender equaltransport system that meets the needs ofwomen and men – indicate the level of thegovernment’s long-term aspirations.

The government has allocated SEK 373.3 bil-lion over a 12-year period on work to extendSweden’s infrastructure. The EU has issued anumber of directives aimed at renewing andharmonising the European rail transport sec-tor. In March 2004 the EU classified the BalticSea as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA).The issue was actively pursued by Sweden.

New information technology

Information technology (IT) is vital to thedevelopment prospects of individuals, enter-prises and regions. Above all, it can be aneffective tool for achieving environmentalquality goals and facilitating the transition toan ecologically sustainable society.

Although though the projected expansionof the broadband network is to be marketdriven, the Riksdag has set aside funds tosupport expansion in areas where there is nocommercial incentive.

A newly appointed IT policy strategy grouphas been commissioned to consider IT policyfrom a broad, societal perspective. A numberof inquiries and working groups have beendiscussing ways in which IT can help reducethe need for transport and promote sustain-able consumption and production patterns.

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Sustainable development requires a holisticapproach; measures, efforts and developmentsin different policy areas, including legislation,economic policy levers, technological develop-ment, information and voluntary commit-ments, should be mutually reinforcing.Important tools in this connection include:

> Sectoral integration. Overall goals inrespective policy areas must be integrated, asthey have been in the case of environmentalaccountability. Examples of other areas arepublic health and gender equality goals.

> Environmental impact and sustainabilityassessments. Research in Sweden is focusingon the use of sustainability assessments asstrategic tools. Such assessments will increas-ingly be made for important action pro-grammes, plans and projects. The EuropeanCommission has developed an impact assess-ment method to be used in connection withdecisions and measures at EU level.

> Dialogue and voluntary agreements.Seventeen agreements between the govern-ment and the enterprise sector were reachedin the 1990s. Covering areas such as paper

recycling, the phase-out of leaded petrol andvoluntary assumption of producer responsi-bility in the construction industry, the agree-ments involved entire sectors as well as indi-vidual companies. Other examples are thedialogue projects “Bygga Bo” and “FramtidaHandel”.

> Partnership. This is a more structured formof co-operation involving a specific projectwith clearly defined objectives and follow-upprocedures, jointly undertaken by the partici-pants. An important aim of partnerships is tointegrate the enterprise sector and sustain-able development work.

> Sustainability reports. These seek to identi-fy the furthest detectable consequences of agiven decision and determine whether it fur-thers the aims of sustainable development.Sustainability assessments are being devel-oped within the EU and at national level.

> Local investment programmes and climateinvestment programmes. These are importanttools for promoting investment and support-ing sustainable development.

Tools for sustainable development


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Follow-up

Successful efforts towards socially, economi-cally and ecologically sustainable develop-ment are predicated on measurable indica-tors. These must not only be coordinated atinternational, national and local level; if theyare to generate public interest and involve-ment, they must be followed up and evaluat-ed, preferably at local – i.e. municipal orregional – level.

The five ‘green indicators’ – energy use,emissions of acidifying substances, carbondioxide emissions, benzene levels in urban airand nitrogen and phosphorus discharges intothe sea – have been included in the BudgetStatement every year since 1998. Indicatorsare also being developed for a number ofother areas, including public health, genderequality, children and young people, the busi-ness sector and global development.

Review

In December 2003, Sweden’s municipal andcounty councils, government authorities andindividual citizens were invited to contributetheir views ahead of the review of the nation-al strategy for sustainable development.Those who responded chose to draw atten-tion to problems such as climate change andpeople’s lack of involvement in the issues.Many called for clear aims and objectives thatcould be followed up and greater emphasis onpublic health and working life. The nationalstrategy will be reviewed again in 2006 andthe government will invite interested partiesto submit their views early on in the process.

Continued implementation and follow-up

Miljödepartementet103 33 Stockholm

In its communication “A Swedish Strategy for SustainableDevelopment” (Government communication 2003/04:129),the Swedish Government states that the strategy coverseconomic, social and environmental aspects. Governmentefforts in this sphere are based on eight core areas:

The future environment

Limitation of climate change

Population and public health

Social cohesion, welfare and security

Employment and learning in a knowledge society

Sustainable economic growth and competitiveness

Regional development and regional conditions

Development of sustainable community planning

This brochure is a summary of the Government communi-cation. It is reproduced electronically on the Ministry of theEnvironment’s website at www.sweden.gov.se/environment.Printed copies may be ordered by telephone from theMinistry on +46 8 405 10 00. Article no. M 2004.06.

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