Sweden’s new right-wing government sparked protests after it abolished the environment ministry in a move the opposition branded “disastrous”.
Previously, the ministry was a high-profile independent department with ministers in the cabinet, but now operates as part of a separate ministry.
Prime Minister Ulf Christerson announced his new cabinet On Tuesday, he appointed climate and environment minister, a 26-year-old Liberal MP. Romina Purmokhtari— She will work under the leadership of the Christian Democratic Party Eva Bushthe new minister of energy, business and industry, rather than heading her own ministry.
Leader of the Swedish Green Party, per borndpointed out that for the first time in 35 years Sweden will no longer have a dedicated environment ministry.
“It is impossible to explain more clearly how this government neglects the environment and the climate. This is a historic decision with devastating consequences for the environment,” Bold said. .
Pearl Holmgrena lawmaker from Sweden’s Green Party said: “We expect a drastic cut in green funding to have a devastating impact on climate policy.”
Isabella LevinChairman of the Board of Directors Stockholm Environmental Institute A former environment minister herself, she said that Sweden was “35 years behind” on environmental issues.
This is not the first time Sweden’s environmental issues have been dealt with by other ministries.
Prior to the establishment of the first dedicated environment ministry in 1987, the Ministry of Agriculture, and then the combined Ministry of Environment and Energy, dealt with these policy issues.
Swedish Environmental Protection Agencywas one of the first companies in the world, founded in 1967.
What is Sweden’s new government doing about the climate crisis?
in swedish new government programwas announced last week, and while many initiatives are more closely tied to the energy crisis, the environment was flagged as one of seven key priority areas to address in the office’s first year.
Policy issues outlined in 62 page documentSweden has committed to meeting current national and international targets such as the Paris Agreement on reducing carbon emissions.
The government is also allocating more money to nuclear power with €36 billion in credit guarantees to build new nuclear plants, and is also introducing rules to make it more difficult to close existing nuclear plants. I am planning.
Also, to ensure the security of the electricity supply (and keep prices low) in the short term, the government is considering whether it is feasible to reopen two nuclear power plants in the south that have been shut down in recent years. Investigate.
A price cap on the government-funded energy bill will be introduced by November, expanding the country’s network of charging points for electric vehicles.
