miljökvalitetsmål

Miljökvalitetsmål are Sweden’s system of national environmental quality objectives. The framework consists of 16 long-term goals adopted by the Swedish Parliament in 2003 to guide environmental policy and to help leave a good environment for future generations. The objectives cover a broad range of environmental issues and are intended to steer policymaking across sectors such as energy, transport, industry and agriculture.

Each objective describes a desired state for the environment and is accompanied by measurable interim targets and national indicators. The set is designed to be comprehensive and cross-sectoral, with some goals focusing on climate and air, others on water and soil, biodiversity, chemical substances, and the sustainable use of natural resources. Examples commonly cited include reduced climate impact, clean air, a non-toxic environment, and preservation of biodiversity, among others (often expressed in Swedish as terms like Minskad klimatpåverkan, Frisk luft, Giftfri miljö).

Implementation and coordination are led by the government, with Naturvårdsverket (the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency) playing a central coordinating role. The agency analyses progress, proposes interim targets, and supports regional and local authorities in carrying out measures. Progress toward the objectives is regularly monitored and reported to Parliament, and annual status updates are published for public transparency. While the targets are not legally binding in the same way as specific statutes, they provide a framework for policy development, monitoring, and budgeting, and they help align efforts across different sectors toward sustainable development.

The miljökvalitetsmål system serves as a cornerstone of Sweden’s environmental governance, linking political decision-making to measurable environmental outcomes and public accountability.