Environmental Policy in Sweden - Essay Example

Policy Analysis in Sweden Environmental policy in Sweden An environmental policy is a ment about a country’s or an organization environmental position and values. There are various benefits to developing an environmental policy because current and potential clients can read the statement and are able to determine whether they would like to invest or not. It also provides a clear direction to stakeholders on the countries environmental values (Cohen, 2006). Environmental policies are regularly reviewed in case of changes, significant performance issues among other things. An environmental policy must be appropriate for the country, include a commitment for continual improvement and prevention of pollution, the policy must also include a commitment to comply with relevant legal and other requirements put in place and provide a framework for setting and reviewing the set environmental objectives and target. The country must also put into consideration the citizens perspective and expectations in that they expect to understand the organizations present direct environmental risks and whether they are complying with legal and other requirements and the environmental programs put in place to reduce environmental impact and improve their environmental performance (Harris, 2007). Sweden took a lead in organizing the first environment UN conference held in Stockholm in 1972 this was due to the recognition of the rapid loss of natural resources and the need for a solution. Sweden is supportive of the European integration for strict environmental standards. It has described its environmental objectives goals as crucial to the country’s welfare and intended to guide the Swedish efforts to safeguard the environment. The Swedish environmental goals are summed up in a document called generational goals which describes the changes that are needed in the society as well as what needs to be protected. These goals and the environmental quality objectives have been adopted by the Swedish Parliament they are an assurance to the future generations for a clean air, healthy living environment, and rich opportunities to enjoy nature. The fulfillment of these objectives requires the concentrated efforts of the whole society ranging from public agencies to individuals. These goals are also dependent on the actions of international bodies like the EU and the UN to reduce harmful emissions. The generational goals have been tailored to focus on the environmental efforts on the recovery of the ecosystem, conserving the natural and cultural environment, sustainable use of natural resources, and the use of energy efficiently. In addition to the generational goals Sweden has sixteen environmental quality objectives that illustrate the quality of the environment to be achieved by the year 2020 covering different areas. These objectives have specifications that clearly state the kind of environment to be attained. The government has facilitated the progress by designing the changes in society that are required in order to meet the environmental quality objectives and the set generational goals. Sweden’s practical environmental policies have led to a reduction in various aspects like acidification and eutrophication in bodies of water and the highest percentage of renewable energy in the EU. Main analysis According to Lundqvist, In terms of democracy, there is a strong criticism o ecological modernization because it addresses individuals as producers’ and consumers not democratic citizens. Therefore they are not empowered to participate in and deliberate over collective decision with respect to resource use and management. Therefore, democratic participation creates a shared public basis on which to ground the legitimacy of restrictions necessary to achieve ecologically sustainable development (Lundqvist, 2004). There has to be follow ups and continuous assessment to ensure that the set objectives are conceivable. The Swedish government makes annual follow ups on the environmental quality objectives to make sure that the policy instrument decided is sufficient to achieve the healthy environment that are described in the objectives. There are various tools like questionnaire and surveys that are used to assess progress based on various factors such as regular sampling and emission statistics among other studies of the state of the environment. The Government and the Parliament has adopted targets and new environmental policy instruments that include eight government agencies that have the responsibility for the different environmental quality objec­tives, they are mandated to work with different organizations and companies in their respective sectors to attain these objectives (Bührs, 2009). The results put together by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency submit its report to the Government. Local authorities in regional levels have also contributed to infrastructure, conservations and use of green spaces. Businesses and organizations help to improve environmental performance through the shaping of public opinion and fostering understanding of the need for change to meet the objectives (Organisation de coopération et de développement économiques. 2007). Swedish environmental legislation is governed by an Environmental Code which entered into force in 1999. This legislation aims to promote sustainable development that will assure a healthy and sound environment for present and future generations. Its main objectives are such that there is the protection of human health and the environment from pollutants or other impacts, protection of valuable natural and cultural environments, preservation of Biological diversity, long term management and use of land and water resources as well as reuse and recycling. It requires an environmental impact assessment to be carried out before permitting any hazardous activity (Kiss & Shelton, 1997). The legislation deals with declining greenhouse gas emissions this is because there is a strong link between economic growth and increased greenhouse emissions. There is also a long term effort to achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions by increasing the share of renewable energy among others (Jones, 2005). The two clearly outlined policies that will be highlighted in this paper include the climate policy and waters and seas. Seas and waters Sweden has proactively influenced the issue of acid rain in the EU; the country has championed the adoption of stricter air pollution abatement policies and other precautionary substitution principles in support for sustainable development and environmental policies. This policy has been developed because the coastal and seas are highly affected by pollution and physical exploitation. There has been an establishment of a Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (Treves, 1997). It is mandated to enhance, preserve and protect water sources. They take measures to include water managements and marine conservation projects among other measures to improve the aquatic environment. Inter-regional measures in the EU have been established in order to help save the Baltic Sea from pollution caused by the different countries in Central Europe. Pollution in the sea is caused from the emissions from agriculture that lead to marine eutrophication, industrial and waste treatment plants that pollute with heavy metals, chemicals and household waste also contribute to the toxins in the water. Eutrophication is a serious threat to the marine environment that includes plant overgrowth leading to oxygen depletion on the sea bed which causes plants and animal death (Hassan, 2005). Various quarters are dependent on water including agriculture, industries and hydroelectric power. Therefore the preservation of the natural production capacity of the aquatic environment is deemed important. There is cooperation to improve the marine environment that is between the EU state members under the EU’s Marine Strategy and Water Framework Directives and various conventions. There is also the use of various campaigns and mass education on key factors involve in safeguarding both natural and cultural values by spreading knowledge. In wetland areas Sweden has designated international significant sites in the framework of a wetlands convention, this to preserve their Swedish wetlands with identified nat­ural and cultural values of the State. Also the adoption of a holistic approach to the protection and use of water resources and water management is a big step to help curb pollution (Hrafnhildur et al 2014). Climate policy As stated earlier, carbon emission is a serious issue that needs to e addressed in Sweden; the climate issue is seen as a top priority y the Swedish Government’s work on the environmental. The curbing of emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases is the main concern in order to avoid grave repercussions in the future. Both the UN and the EU have take measures to reduce emissions and achieve the climate goals that have been put in place. The Swedish government has set climate and energy policy that should be achieved by the year 2020, these are 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, use of at least 50 percent renewable energy which is the highest of renewable energy in the EU, efficient energy use y 20 percent among others. Sweden has reduced agricultural emissions through the presence of fewer farm animals (Nordisk & Nordisk, 2014). Together with new government agencies and national legislations, Sweden has ratified various conventions like UN - Climate Convention and the Kyoto Protocol, which is the framework for the international negotiations on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, some parts of this convention are legally binding and it has proven to be an important step towards the necessary substantial reduction of the environmental pollution through gas emission (Lundqvist & Biel, 2007). The EU as whole has a vital and active role to play in the international negotiations on a broad climate agreement and high objectives. This is an important platform for the Swedish climate policy ad goals and the country will make substantial contribution to help achieve the European Unions motivated climate targets. Sweden, as well as other Member States, has taken measures to reduce emissions, enhance the efficiency of energy use as well as increase the quantity of renewable energy. These goals and targets are based on scientific findings done on the climate change problem. The government has a number of measures implemented in the climate and energy sector that meet the EU goals and also maintain the number one role in climate and energy conversion. The success of the Swedish climate policy is primarily based on the use of economic instruments this see in the carbon dioxide tax formulation which is based on the carbon content of the emissions and net contribution to greenhouse gases emitted by various fuels and therefore the tax is relatively high such sources as coal but lower on natural gasses and there is a exemption of tax to biofuels such as ethanol. This has contributed to the use of biofuels thus reducing the emissions at a high percentage. The country also has a system of green electricity certificates to help encourage the production of electricity from various renewable resources such as, among others, wind power (O. E. C. D., 2011). Conclusion This paper has tackled the environmental policy of Sweden which is one of the most influential states in the European Union in setting goals and objectives that help reduce the pollution and depletion of the environment. It has become a focal point in the launching and implementation of various legislations and policies that are useful in the environmental conservation and preservation. The government has also invested in research and development on how to reduce the emissions in the transport sector and the manufacture of environmentally friendly cars that are green. The Swedish government has also taken various initiatives so as to boost the involvement of the entire community in the attempt to combat the climate changes in particular in order to have a broader and meaningful cooperation with business enterprises and sectoral industries and various research communities as well as the political sphere of the state. These initiatives involve the setting up of a Commission on Sustainable Development, which is a council on climate issues as well as a climate committee that reviews a climate policy. Therefore Sweden has set a platform for other states to follow suit in the fight to curb the environmental pollution and reduce the depletion of the atmosphere thereby reducing the effects of global warming. The European Union has made it clear that environmental sustainability is a global effort that requires different states to act together in order to reduce the effects of various pollutants. The use of legislations and conventions is a legal and binding platform that is available internationally and holds countries liable for various violations o environmental rights. Reference list: Bührs, T. (2009). Environmental integration: Our common challenge. Albany: State University of New York Press. Hassan, D. (2005). Protecting the marine environment from land-based sources of pollution: Towards effective international cooperation. Aldershot, Hants, England: Ashgate Hrafnhildur, B., Nordisk Ministerråd, & Nordisk Råd. (2014). 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