Naturvårdsverket

Naturvårdsverket, or the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, is a government agency under the Swedish Ministry of the Environment. It was established in 1967 to coordinate national environmental protection efforts and to develop Sweden’s environmental policy. The agency is responsible for long-term environmental protection and sustainable development, with a focus on nature conservation and biodiversity, air and water quality, chemicals management, waste handling, and climate policy.

Naturvårdsverket conducts environmental monitoring, assessments, and statistics gathering; it prepares guidelines, manages permits and licensing under environmental laws, and supports municipalities and industry in implementing regulations. It also provides expert advice to the government on policy options, targets, and reporting obligations, and it monitors compliance and enforcement through inspections and supervision.

In international and European contexts, Naturvårdsverket represents Sweden in negotiations and implements EU directives, international environmental agreements, and Nordic cooperation. It collaborates with other agencies, research institutions, municipalities, and civil society to promote environmental protection and sustainable development across Sweden.

The agency is headquartered in Stockholm and operates through national and regional offices. Its work informs policy decisions, public information campaigns, and Sweden’s commitments to climate change mitigation, biodiversity protection, and pollution prevention.