The work of the Ministry of the Environment in the EU
Issues belonging to the Ministry of the Environment's spheres of responsibility are dealt with in the Environment Council - the configuration of the Council of Ministers for environmental issues.
The Environment Council
The EU environment ministers normally meet twice during each Presidency in the Environment Council. Before Council meetings, the Government consults with the Riksdag in the Committee on European Union Affairs and informs the Riksdag Committee on Environment and Agriculture.
The environment ministers also meet once every six months at an informal meeting in the country holding the Presidency. No decisions are taken at these meetings. Instead, they are an opportunity for the Presidency to raise discussions on policy.
Issues dealt with by the Environment Council include:
- Climate change
- Waste management issues
- Chemicals and pesticides
- Air pollution, such as carbon dioxide emissions from cars
- Water issues
- Soil contamination
- Natural resource issues
- Sustainable development in the Lisbon process
- Marine environmental protection
- International environmental issues, such as preparations for EU action in the United Nations
The environmental quality objectives are important in EU policy
To achieve the 16 environmental quality objectives approved by the Riksdag, measures are required at the various levels nationally, regionally and locally. In many cases, decisions or initiatives by the EU are required to achieve the intended impact. Environmental problems are cross-border problems that can only be resolved through joint action. They include acidifying and eutrophying air pollution, emissions in marine environments and cross-border waterways.
