Country profile - Future developments (Sweden)

SOER 2010 Country profile (Deprecated)

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Future main developments. Links to more national information.

more info Organisation name Swedish Environmental Protection Agency Reporting country Sweden Organisation website Organisation website Contact link Contact link Last updated 23 Sep 2011 Content license CC By 2.5 Content provider

Published: 30 Oct 2010 Modified: 11 May 2020 Feed synced: 23 Sep 2011 original

Key message

The projected increase in energy use will affect forestry. Forestry is expected to intensify. Depopulation of rural areas will have negative consequences for the cultural environment, biodiversity and the open agricultural landscape.

d) What are the foreseen main developments in coming decades that could be expected to contribute most to future environment pressures?

Developments in Sweden are governed not only by environmental policy but also by what is happening within other policy areas. Many different sectors of society are operating in more environmentally compliant and sustainable ways, which has a positive effect on the state of the environment.

More efficient energy use and transport

Volume is increasing among all means of transportation.
International and national shipping is increasing.
The supply and use of most types of energy are increasing.
Greenhouse gas emissions from generation of electrical power and heat and from industry and transportation are increasing.

It is anticipated that the projected increase in energy use will affect forestry, among other things. Forestry is expected to intensify as a result of sharp increases in demand for biofuels and raw materials for the forest and manufacturing industries.

Non-toxic, resource-saving environmental life cycles

The use of hazardous substances is continuing.
Continued amendment of REACH, the EU's chemical legislation.

In Sweden , there are requests that the review of REACH results in more stringent surveillance of companies' compliance with the legislation. Furthermore, more substances should be classified as especially hazardous with requirements to provide information for those using the substances.

Management of land, water and the built environment

Population and number of people employed will be increasing until the year 2020.
The regions are becoming larger and the population's size, composition and geographical distribution are changing.
Consideration for the environment is increasing within agriculture and forestry as well as in connection with planning of buildings and infrastructure.

In many cases, depopulation of rural areas has negative consequences for the cultural environment, biodiversity and the open agricultural landscape. Therefore, it is important to continue efforts to ensure that natural resources, land, water and cultural assets are used in a long-term sustainable manner.