(cont. from § 21) Mineral policy (cont. NU13)

Anna af Sillén (M)

Mr. Speaker! The Swedish mining and minerals industry helped build Sweden wealthy and is now absolutely crucial for us to manage to reduce our emissions and transition our society. It is also of great importance for our industry's continued development and competitiveness. But for many years, it has been slowed down by unnecessary roadblocks.

From being on the world's top ten list, Sweden has plummeted to position 36. The development has occurred gradually, and the trend has been clear for many years. In 2016, Sweden was in position 8, in 2018 in position 21, and now in position 36 when attractive mining nations are ranked. That, Mr. Speaker, is a political waste of fantastic conditions.

Above all, this is about unreasonably long and unpredictable permit processes that lead to investments being withheld, jobs and economic growth being lost, and the climate benefit not being fully realized. If the potential of the Swedish mining industry is to be utilized, we must break down the mountain of bureaucracy that stands in the way. That, Mr. Speaker, is what this government intends to do.

Sweden's mining and minerals industry is of great importance for supplying both Sweden and other countries with various metals and minerals. And in many parts of the country, including in my home province of Sörmland, we see the importance that the industry has for a successful and job-creating industry.

The European Commission has identified Sweden as a country with very good conditions to meet the increasing demand for critical raw materials to secure the EU's self-sufficiency. For over half of the raw materials on the EU's critical list, there is potential to mine them here in Sweden. The issue of supply readiness has also increased in relevance in recent years as China dominates the market for the raw materials needed for the climate transition.

The transition to fossil-free also increases the demand for a number of different minerals. According to a report from the International Energy Agency, an electric car usually requires more than six times as many minerals as a fossil-fueled car, and a wind turbine nine times more than a fossil gas plant. The International Energy Agency argues that, in total, between four and six times as many metals and minerals will be required to reach the climate goals in the Paris Agreement.

It is clear, Mr. Speaker, that mining is a prerequisite for meeting the climate transition. For Sweden, this is a great opportunity to take an even larger share of both the European and global markets for metals and minerals. As a mining nation, we have several advantages over many others, such as a long tradition and experience of mining, outstanding research, and high competence within the companies.

Furthermore, the Swedish mining industry has come a long way with innovative technical and low-emission solutions and is already a world leader today when it comes to climate-adapting its operations. Our mining industry also meets high safety requirements and requirements for good working conditions.

Despite all the advantages, Sweden has had difficulty reaching its full potential. A major reason for this is the policy pursued by the previous government, above all the inability to address the permit processes. A rethink in Swedish mining and mineral policy was needed, and this rethink is now being carried out by the Moderate-led government together with the coalition partners.

The permit processes shall become simpler and more legally secure, and a new strategy must be in place that takes into account not only how we secure the competitiveness of the mining and minerals industry but also how its potential can be better utilized in the climate transition.

Finally, of course, long-term conditions must be provided when it comes to, among other things, electricity supply. So, Mr. Speaker, we strengthen the conditions not only for the green transition but for Swedish industry and Swedish competitiveness.

With this, I move for approval of the committee's proposal, with the exception of the announcement according to the reservation on the role of authorities in permit processes. Such an announcement was already made to the previous government and therefore already exists. This was pushed forward by the Moderaterna during the previous mandate period, and now we are carrying out the work in a government position.

(FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER: For the sake of clarity: Does this mean that Anna af Sillén moves for approval of reservation 5?)

I vote in favor of the committee's proposal with the exception of point 5.

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Isak From (S)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Anna af Sillén, for the speech!

I interpret it as that one does not want to move for approval of their reservation because one does not want to show that one is losing.

The government has quite a lot to show. What is it that they actually want? The previous S-led government delivered four investigations that have been welcomed by the mining and minerals industry, but so far we see no workshop. They have only said that the permit processes shall be shortened. How is this going to happen? What is the timeline? When shall they be shortened? And how have the Moderaterna and Anna af Sillén intended to shorten the permit processes so that, for example, the mine in Norra Kärr can open?

Are they just words? Where is the workshop?

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Anna af Sillén (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you for the question, Member Isak From!

The member mentioned in his speech earlier that it is now to be concluded. That is it. Above all, it is concluded. After eight years in government, it was naturally very welcome that the then Social Democratic government landed on what they wanted to do with the permit processes. Just as the member stated, there are a number of inquiries that have now landed with the current government.

Eight years, as said, and we are now five minutes into the match. I am convinced that the government will also look at the investigations in the work that is now, therefore, already underway to shorten the permit processes for Swedish business.

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Isak From (S)

Mr. Speaker! I heard nothing about any timetable. The business community has questioned why one does not take the parts of the Environmental Assessment Inquiry and the Climate Justice Inquiry that are already completed and that the business community has requested and process them here and now.

The investigation on the supply of strategically innovation-critical minerals could be sent out for consultation so that we can receive the views of the consulting bodies on how to reduce land conflicts in the countryside and how to gain acceptance for mine openings in southern Sweden, where agriculture, water, and other interests compete with the need to extract strategic minerals.

How is this going to work? One can start by delivering what is finished.

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Anna af Sillén (M)

Mr. Speaker! It is worth repeating that we warmly welcome the speed with which the Social Democrats now want the work to be done. I am sure that Member Isak From realizes the need for a newly appointed government to familiarize itself with the material that already exists.

I can give a very reassuring message that these are priority issues for the government. The permit processes are to be reviewed. It has been a clear election promise, and an intensive work is now underway within the Ministry of Enterprise and the Government Offices.

I am, as I have said, convinced that the parts developed by the previous government will also be looked at. To the extent that they are wise and feasible proposals, I am sure that the government will include them in its work.

Again: The work is already underway, and it will continue to be underway.

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Lorena Delgado Varas (V)

Mr. Speaker! The member pointed out that Sweden has incredibly long queues when it comes to permit processes and that Sweden has fallen in the ranking of mining nations. I think that things are connected. Regarding what the member pointed out, there have simultaneously been cuts among state agencies but also increased efficiency requirements.

I wonder how this will fit together with the permit processes. One cannot on the one hand say that one wants to speed up processes and on the other hand simultaneously withdraw the budget for this to be realized.

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Anna af Sillén (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank you very much for the question.

I and the Moderates are completely convinced that an efficiency of the state is a very wise way forward when it comes to the exercise of authority and that it is absolutely not in opposition to making things better, on the contrary. Speeding up the permit processes is about the fact that Swedish authorities and Swedish legislation must be made better. It is about both legislation and execution from Myndighetssverige.

I believe that our constant efforts to streamline the exercise of state authority are of the utmost importance, if not necessary, in order to achieve better and faster service in these matters.

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Lorena Delgado Varas (V)

Mr. Speaker! One naturally does not want unnecessary components in permit processes that make it more difficult to reach what one should reach.

If authorities are really to have the opportunity to look at how the permit processes can be improved, one must have a space for this.

If one starts cutting back on staff, premises and so on to meet these savings requirements and efficiency requirements, one will not be able to manage to actually look through these permit processes.

I feel that it is so strange because there is such great concern right now, even within the business community. I do not think I have previously encountered so many different industry organizations that have pointed out a concern for the future because they do not really know when this will turn around. It does not only concern the permit processes and the authorities' capabilities, but it also concerns, for example, the supply of skills and the immigration of labor, which are very important when it comes to the mineral policy. We have enormously large needs for professional people from other countries who can come here.

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Anna af Sillén (M)

Mr. Speaker! I did not perceive any concrete question in the speech. But let me just state that it is true that there is great concern within the business community. I meet many entrepreneurs. And just as the member says, there are great challenges right now regarding the supply of skills and regarding various things caused by uncertainty in the world around us and, of course, an uncertainty linked to inflation. Therefore, the work that the government is now doing to curb inflation is, of course, of the utmost importance.

But I have never heard an entrepreneur express concern that there will be changes in the permit processes that we have now. On the contrary, this is something that the business community wants to see. They want to see that this is changed as soon as possible, so that we get more legally secure, more predictable and, above all, faster permit processes. This government will work for this.

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Elin Söderberg (MP)

Mr. Speaker! I also reacted when the Moderate Party's Anna af Sillén mentioned the permit processes and began to accuse the previous government of not having worked on these issues.

When the Green Party and the Social Democrats sat in government together, we appointed both the Climate Justice Inquiry and the Environmental Assessment Inquiry, which aim precisely at achieving faster and smoother permit processes. Their inquiries are now on the government's desk, and we are just waiting for them to be converted into bills. I therefore agree with what has previously been said by the Social Democrats: When will the bills arrive?

From the Green Party's side, we hear that the business community highlights the opportunities to test in parallel and to have more dialogue and more cooperation, which in many ways can simplify and shorten the permit processes.

I reacted today when Minister for Climate and Environment Romina Pourmokhtari received the Climate Policy Council's latest report and said that she had met actors in Västra Götaland and then understood that dialogue and cooperation were very important for smooth permit processes.

For us in Miljöpartiet, this is a matter of course. We see that there is a great need for improved dialogue and cooperation and that we could then, with very simple means, achieve faster and smoother permit processes. But it also requires that we get resources to the authorities so that they can work in this way. Unfortunately, this government provides completely insufficient resources to the supervisory authorities.

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Anna af Sillén (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Member Elin Söderberg for the question.

When it comes to a strengthened dialogue, it is my absolute opinion that it is good in the vast majority of cases, so even when it concerns the permit processes. It is also interesting to look at parallel processes. How do we move forward faster in the permit processes?

When it comes to the exercise of public authority, it will also be able to go faster. Here we need to look at how the authorities are governed and what inputs they receive in regulatory letters and so on. We are completely convinced that the resources that the authorities need to manage the permit processes as efficiently as possible will be available to them.

But now it is about also designing how the permit processes should look so that they are precisely predictable, legally secure, and fast.

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Elin Söderberg (MP)

Mr. Speaker! It is good to hear that the Moderates' Anna af Sillén says that the government shall look into this.

In the Green Party's budget motion, we allocate significantly more resources to the licensing authorities precisely so that they can work more on cooperation and dialogue and achieve faster licensing processes.

Now we have the knowledge that the authorities need more resources to be able to work with dialogue and cooperation and speed up the permit processes in that way. The final reports of the Climate Justice Inquiry and the Environmental Assessment Inquiry are already on the government's desk, but we have not yet seen anything about this on the list of bills to be submitted to the Riksdag in the future.

I ask therefore: What is the Moderaternas purpose with a review? What changes do you want to make? It seems you are obviously not prioritizing the low-hanging fruits to speed up the permit processes.

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Anna af Sillén (M)

Mr. Speaker! Let me clarify so that there are no misunderstandings. The government is not just looking, but the government has a workshop underway regarding this.

I am sure that Elin Söderberg understands that a newly appointed government needs to review the material that the previous government left behind before it is released.

But again: I am convinced that all good proposals regarding this will be taken into account.

Elin Söderberg asked: When does what happen? Let me then just remind you of the situation we find ourselves in, namely a situation where the newly appointed government has handled an extensive energy crisis, to a large extent created by decisions that Miljöpartiet has taken together with Socialdemokraterna in the previous government. So when we talk about facilitating for our companies and for our business sector when it comes to permit processes and when it comes to having good conditions and proper governance of the authorities, significant changes are now occurring in this work. And it will be very favorable for Swedish business and for Swedish competitiveness.

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Lorena Delgado Varas (V)

Mr. Speaker! There are several reservations from Vänsterpartiet under this point, but I choose to move for approval of reservations 11 and 16. These are two important reservations for this purpose.

Minerals constitute the fundamental building blocks for our planet, for our society and for our industry. Without our processing and utilization of minerals, we would not have such a developed society as we have today. I believe it is impossible to imagine what this society would have been like if we had not had the development of minerals.

At the same time, we have an economy driven by production volumes and growth. This means that year after year we expect production and growth to expand. And at the same time, we have observed that we do not have this possibility if we are to have a future to live in. Our earth simply cannot cope with the consumption we have today.

But there is hope if we can manage to see the economy from other perspectives. If we were to have an economic system governed by other values, which ensures that it meets our basic needs and increases well-being, and which is created based on the idea that resources should last a long time with a minimal impact on the climate and our ecosystems, then we could manage the climate crisis.

Mineral production is important for Sweden and will play an even more significant role now that the energy system is to be transitioned in a sustainable direction. Many minerals needed within modern battery technology or other technological applications are found in Sweden. They can form the basis for new mining establishments, often in parts of the country where the supply of jobs might otherwise be limited.

Exploiting the earth for its minerals always involves an intervention in nature and the immediate environment. It is a cost we have been willing to take, because just as I began by saying, minerals are a part of the development of society - a part of life. But the exploitation also means that there are different interests that do not meet, and we must be willing to address that. In that regard, I feel that the politics has stagnated. Perhaps one does not want to, or does not dare to, make the decisions that are required.

We can probably all agree that we need to reuse and recycle what is possible. Here we need to invest more in research and find ways to facilitate these steps. We will probably all come to the realization that we cannot continue to produce expansively as we have done until now. Our resources are not infinite and must therefore be used for what we truly need - and in a sustainable way.

Thus it is not said that we do not need to break, for we do. Just the transition of the energy system will require quite large resources in the near term. We also have, for example, a housing shortage, which must be addressed, and so on. How do we do that then? How do we put the mineral policy together?

On the one hand, we need to invest in research and innovation, and on the other hand, we need to set requirements for companies to produce sustainably and create products whose lifespan is easy to extend. But we also need to use mining technology that makes fewer interventions in the environment, and we need to ensure that the local communities where the mines are located truly get to share in the opportunities and the profit that mineral production creates.

For the industry, it is important to get clarity on what we want and that we facilitate the processes without, in that regard, yielding when it comes to the requirements regarding environment and climate. Who is to extract and who is to refine is also important. We would prefer local owners - or why not state-owned? A local foothold provides more consideration for the surrounding area and long-term perspective, as well as creates a sustainability mindset.

Furthermore, Sweden should consider a different design of the fees and compensations linked to the extraction of minerals. Today, the fees are very small in an international comparison. Furthermore, the mining and mineral industry, despite large efforts for the transition, has a negative impact on, among other things, nature, reindeer husbandry, tourism, and outdoor life. We will not get away with that. Therefore, we believe, for example, that a larger share of the mining companies' profits should go back to the local community.

If we look closer at Swedish history, we can state that the Swedish state has claimed natural resources in Sápmi. These are resources that have built and continue to build Sweden's wealth. When mining activities are to be established, social consent from neighbors is needed. We believe that samebyar should be able to receive compensation for conducting an early dialogue meeting. We also mean that increased Sami influence over how natural resources are utilized is required, as well as continued strong environmental protection so that the supply of minerals and metals shall be sustainable.

Revenue from natural resources must also contribute to a greater extent to development in Sámi community life. It is our view that state-owned companies that derive their revenue from Sápmis natural resources should annually set aside a portion of their profit to finance the management and development of Sámi community life, language, and culture. Likewise, we believe that other companies whose activities heavily impact Sápmis natural resources should also contribute. We have a historical debt to the Sámi communities.

Today, a sameby can sit in various conversations with different actors and need to act as lawyers towards all of them. One actually has neither the time nor the resources for that.

Even those people who speak the minority language meänkieli who have been affected by exploitation should also be allowed to share in the revenues in order to be able to strengthen their culture.

Finally, we argue that the state should be the driving force. We need to take responsibility for our own consumption. Therefore, it is important that we have a clear plan for which minerals we will need in the transition and which are available in Sweden – this is to prepare perhaps a more strategic work regarding mineral production. That is where the state is important.

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Eric Palmqvist (SD)

Mr. Speaker! I did not actually request a reply on the grounds of what Member Delgado Varas presented during his speech, but I intended to dwell on something the Member took up in his exchange with the Moderaterna earlier. It concerns the question of how the exercise of authority by authorities can be made more efficient.

There, the Sweden Democrats have a concrete proposal, namely that permit amendments, so to speak, should be the normal state. That should be what is applied when making changes to existing operations. If one today makes some form of improvement or new investment – it might not even increase production but is just some form of change to the operation – it is very often the case that the entire operation is subjected to a new permit review. It is not only extremely costly for the companies but also extremely resource-intensive for the authorities that handle this.

When there is a proposal on the table, I wonder why the Left Party does not follow up on it if they are now concerned that the authorities have so much to do.

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Lorena Delgado Varas (V)

Mr. Speaker! I think it is difficult to know how just that specific amendment affects the entire operation, so I will not say much more about that.

What I tried to highlight, however, is that one must give an organization space if one wants a change in the way of working in that organization. It is not possible, as we have seen done year after year, to cut the budget for various state, municipal, and regional activities and demand efficiency without giving the authorities the opportunity to start a process for the efficiency—in this case, of permit processes. It is the wrong way to go.

One could rather make such a reduction when it turns out that the authority has actually made the efficiencies and has a permit process that is perhaps a bit smarter and better.

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Eric Palmqvist (SD)

Mr. Speaker! I thank the member for the answer.

I think like this: If one implements a proposal that de facto reduces the workload, it is also reasonable to expect that it leads to freed-up capacity within the agency that can be used to do other things. That is at least my opinion.

When we stand here and debate with one another, I still hear that the member desires that we in some way simplify and streamline the permit processes, but I do not perhaps think that Vänsterpartiet has delivered so much in the report that is forward-looking in just that respect. I think that the member might be able to clarify for me and those sitting here in the chamber how they intend to work to specifically streamline and speed up the permit processes - beyond what is in the proposals we will vote on tomorrow.

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Lorena Delgado Varas (V)

Mr. Speaker! I believe there are already investigations pointing out how these permit processes could be improved and simplified, of course without compromising on environmental and climate issues.

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Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist (C)

Mr. Speaker! Sweden shall have achieved net-zero emissions by 2045, and Europe shall by 2050 have become the world's first climate-neutral continent. These are important goals. In international contexts, we have committed ourselves to many of these goals, and it is important that we continue to ensure that we describe those goals so that the industry knows exactly where we are headed.

The latest report from the UN's climate panel established that it is possible to reduce emissions, that it is going too slowly, and that technology of all kinds is necessary for the whole world to succeed.

Mr. Speaker! Sweden is a mining nation. This has built and continues to build Sweden strong. I could, however, never have imagined that I would give a speech where climate improvements and the mining industry would be prerequisites for one another.

In 2020, LKAB and Boliden emitted approximately 5 million tons of carbon dioxide. That is almost 10 percent of Sweden's emissions. It is not only crucial for us in Sweden that these industries can transition to reduce our own emissions, but it can be absolutely crucial for the world.

Continued innovation, research, demonstration and scaling up are needed for this to become a reality. Right now, many groundbreaking projects are underway to get a grip on carbon emissions, on our mining activities and on our steel production. The entrepreneurs and initiators who work with these projects are completely convinced that they will succeed.

It is absolutely necessary for Sweden to be part of this transition. Those who say that it is better to wait and see which technology will be successful are resting on rather old truths. We must, of course, be humble in the face of the fact that there will be setbacks in all these innovative technological production processes. It is a bit like with winter, which is currently struggling with spring. We will be disappointed, but spring will win – it does not give up!

Mr. Speaker! At the same time as our thousand-year-old conventional mining and steel production is transitioning, we must begin mining new ore. The basis for this is, of course, our ambition to achieve the climate goals and future-proof both the assets we have in the country and our jobs.

Rare earth metals are, as we have discussed during the day, a group of rare minerals that are used in a multitude of different products and technologies that are important for the climate transition. It concerns batteries for electric cars, energy storage systems, solar panels, wind turbines and many other technologies that we today do not even know the name of but which we are completely certain will be developed.

It is important to say that the extraction of rare earth elements has an environmental impact. The minerals are often found in very small quantities in the earth's crust, which means that extraction can be both costly and energy-intensive. Furthermore, all mining and extraction of rare earth elements can have a negative impact on the environment, for example by the necessity of using chemicals or through the emission of various pollutants.

Therefore, it is important that the extraction of rare earth metals takes place in a responsible manner and with consideration for the environment. This can be achieved by us using innovative technology and methods that minimize environmental impact and by us ensuring that the extraction takes place in accordance with high environmental standards.

Today, Sweden and the EU are largely dependent on imports from a few countries, which makes availability vulnerable and quite risky from a security policy perspective. At the same time, Sweden has significant deposits of these metals and good conditions to conduct a sustainable extraction, which also creates significant export opportunities and thus jobs in Sweden.

Therefore, a proper review of the possibilities for a long-term sustainable extraction of innovation-critical metals and minerals must be carried out. Centerpartiet advocates for a motion to extract more minerals and metals in Sweden instead of continuing to import from countries that have much larger carbon footprints and poorer working conditions.

To succeed with this, as we have discussed here in the chamber, exploration opportunities and permits are required. Exploration is a fancy word for finding a new deposit. How interesting it is to find a new deposit depends, of course, on demand and the world market price, but apparently not only on that.

In 2022, 104 applications for investigation permits were submitted. This can be compared to the record year 2006, when 500 applications were submitted. At that time, we had not even thought of the need for earth metals, because we had not thought of how we would electrify and transition our vehicles.

That Sweden is considered less attractive as a prospecting nation is due to the fact that Sweden has lost status in international rankings, which has been mentioned earlier today. This is not because we have unattractive assets, but because we have long and, above all, uncertain permit processes. We cannot afford that when it comes to the climate, job opportunities and, in fact, the defense readiness.

In addition to the fact that we must get the prospecting permits in order, the other permits required during the time one looks at a mining opportunity must become much better. There are a number of investigations that will hopefully reach the Riksdag as soon as possible. Furthermore, the Center Party wants to introduce a processing guarantee and a sanction fee for those authorities that break the rules for processing times.

We want there to be a balancing rule for climate benefit in the Environmental Code. We also want to introduce a proportionality principle - an insignificant error in an application, often called a trifle, should not cause an entire permit application of thousands of pages to be rejected.

We also want to introduce a steering measure similar to those that exist in Ireland and the Netherlands, where companies that make environmentally and climate-smart investments are allowed to write off the value of these investments faster so that those investments become much more attractive.

Mr. Speaker! We need to strengthen the conditions for the extraction of innovation-critical metals and minerals in order to make us less dependent on imports of these. Therefore, I move for approval of reservation 18 under point 12.

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Elin Söderberg (MP)

Mr. Speaker! Today we are debating mineral and mining policy. On many occasions, the need for minerals for the green transition has been mentioned. For Miljöpartiet, it is absolutely central that the green transition becomes just green, that is to say, that it becomes environmentally and socially sustainable.

We have some existing mines that are doing very well and which are environmentally and socially sustainable. Some upcoming mines can absolutely become environmentally and socially sustainable. But there are also a lot of mines that will not be able to be operated in an environmentally and socially sustainable way. That is why it is very important that we handle these challenges in a responsible manner. Many large goal conflicts can arise. Land conflicts and negative consequences for the environment, Sami rights, and the local population have been discussed.

When we now see increased geopolitical pressure on Sweden to deliver minerals for the common transition work in Europe, it is also the Swedish state's task to secure the Swedish environment, the Swedish population, Sweden's local environments and the local population's rights in this work.

Miljöpartiet believes that reinforced work for circular economy and resource efficiency is needed so that we can meet the green transition in a sustainable way, ensure that we can make the transition and halt the climate crisis without running into a ditch in other areas in that work and thereby depleting, for example, biodiversity or people's health.

In today's situation, where we see accumulated negative effects in many areas, for example for the local population or the reindeer husbandry, there are several large societal investments—it could be wind power, transport infrastructure, energy infrastructure or mineral mining—where the sum of the effects must also be taken into account in the decision-making processes.

We must halt the climate crisis. We must simultaneously ensure that we achieve a socially sustainable society and that we safeguard biodiversity. The green transition must be truly green.

With that, I move for the approval of reservation 14. For the sake of clarity, I also move for the approval of reservation 5.

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Louise Eklund (L)

Mr. Speaker! As we have noted several times here in the chamber: Without metals and minerals, we will not be able to produce the climate technologies needed for the green societal transition. Wind turbines, solar panels, electric cars, and batteries require metals to a much higher degree than the technologies we have relied on until now.

This is naturally a challenge, but it can also create opportunities for Sweden. In an international comparison, the Swedish mining and minerals industry already has quite low climate emissions today. This is thanks to the almost fossil-free electricity system and investments in new, climate-efficient technology. Sweden thus also has the opportunity to take a much larger role globally for the climate transition.

We need to take advantage of the Swedish mining industry's specific opportunities. With the right conditions from us in politics, I believe that the industry can be developed and contribute to the global, and for that part, the Swedish and European, climate work.

Sweden has the potential to extract many of the energy and innovation-critical metals and minerals required for the climate transition. Half of the metals and minerals on the EU's list of raw materials deemed critical for our society and our welfare have been found in the Swedish bedrock.

The markets for these metals are global, and the demand that we cannot meet is instead imported from other actors around the world. We have on several occasions, not least recently, seen images from, for example, the mining industry in Congo and the conditions that prevail there. Can the Swedish mining industry help to change the conditions for the entire industry? I believe we can take a global leadership role in improving the entire operation.

But for the Swedish mining industry to be able to do just this, continue its production, be innovative and lead the way in the green transition, we need to address the problems that have been raised here several times and which also apply to the mining industry. We have too little energy production. We have too high electricity prices. We have an enormous difficulty in obtaining qualified labor. This applies, as has been raised here in the chamber several times today, not least within this industry. We need many more engineers in Sweden. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of more people seeking out STEM education.

We also need to review the permit processes - I believe that is absolutely self-evident - and significantly shorten the lead times that exist to get the permits in place that are needed to be able to develop the industry.

Specifically for this area - this has been rightly raised by several of the members here - it is about managing the goal conflicts that exist. We need to do this with care and great respect for all involved.

With that said, I move for approval of the Committee on Industry's proposed decision in the report.

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Isak From (S)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Louise Eklund for the speech. I intended to take the opportunity to request a reply since the Liberals are the party in the Tidö agreement that holds the Ministry of Employment.

Right now, the largest industrial revolution we have had in Sweden in over a hundred years is taking place in northern Sweden. A large part of it concerns the supply of skills. Right now, the government is limiting the possibilities to supply skills to the green industry, where the foundation is mineral extraction. We are going to start producing carbon-free steel. We are going to build up several new facilities. All those facilities need not only electricity and permit processes but also labor.

How do the Liberals intend to ensure in the government cooperation that the industry finds its competence?

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Louise Eklund (L)

Mr. Speaker! I completely share that problem picture. We have a large deficit of, not least, engineers in Sweden. This is also not being filled at the rate we would have wished in the STEM educations. Fewer and fewer are seeking out educations within the technical areas. It is precisely here we instead need to see even more who receive a basic understanding through engineering educations or similar.

Here we need to make major educational efforts. And it cannot start when one applies to universities and colleges, it needs to start at much younger ages. We need to strengthen Swedish primary school students' ability in mathematics, for example, and also increase the interest for this type of STEM education and the like.

I completely share the picture: We need to have many more people working within the industry. We also need to have many more people seeking to come to Sweden who can perform these jobs and have that competence with them in their luggage.

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Isak From (S)

Mr. Speaker! It seems more long-term.

I shall praise the government for the decision they made to strengthen SFI for newly arrived Ukrainians. It is an important effort. But at the same time, in the budget that was voted through here, cuts have been made in the labor market trainings. We have unemployment in many parts of the country. Many could, with the right training, take one of the jobs that are now emerging in northern Sweden. Here, the Liberals actually have something to deliver.

But I also understand the problems with the government cooperation. It cannot be entirely easy.

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Louise Eklund (L)

Mr. Speaker! I appreciate that Isak From highlights the efforts for the Ukrainians who have come here and who now want to enter the labor market. Politics should, of course, facilitate and not complicate this.

Unfortunately, the answer is that it is often the slow processes that we can initiate here. It will take time before we can reverse this. It is, however, important to emphasize that the government has now begun this work and also to change the view on which professions will be completely necessary for us as a society to have in Sweden, both today and in the future.

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Lili André (KD)

Mr. Speaker! On behalf of the Christian Democrats, I would like to move for the approval of the proposal in the committee report and the rejection of all motions.

The business sector is large and multifaceted, just as it should be. But some industries come before others in the value chain. These include the mining industry. It is a prerequisite for so much else that a competitive Sweden wants to achieve. Without a vital mining industry, we have no good societal construction.

As an overall objective, we are in agreement across party lines that we shall reach the climate goals and that we must now transition. In that regard, human behavior, the business sector's transition, and Industriklivet are significant. Here, the mining industry is not just important; it is a fundamental prerequisite.

With this said, I know that it is difficult to get neighbors to cheer if you say that a mine is going to start in their vicinity. It is much simpler to say that one should mine somewhere else. I do not want to underestimate the problems that can arise in any way. I respect the concern that has been expressed, for example in Fäboliden in Lycksele, in Norra Kärr and in Österlen, to give just a few examples. But we cannot let ourselves be paralyzed by inaction; we must go into close combat with all the challenges that exist and the difficult questions that can arise when one wants to move from beautiful and sweeping slogans to stepping into the workshop and letting the words become action.

Mr. Speaker! It is pleasing to see that the mining industry is now being highlighted and that the narrative is spreading about Sweden's strengths and opportunities. In order for us to achieve a fossil-free and sustainable transport sector, far-reaching change is required. The automotive industry, together with academia and the public sector, has a central role for Sweden to manage this transition.

During the year, the global demand for many metals and minerals has continued to increase and is expected to increase further over several decades ahead. This applies to both base metals as well as critical metals and minerals, which we use, among other things, in rechargeable vehicles, wind turbines and solar panels. Driving the demand is the development of new technology needed to achieve climate neutrality and to reach the UN's global goals in Agenda 2030.

Mining minerals in Sweden is good because we can guarantee both good working conditions and fair terms, and we have environmental legislation that measures up. Furthermore, it makes us less vulnerable in times of war and crisis.

It is clear that we are to break these in Sweden and that the revenues shall, to some extent, go to the local community. It is a fantastic opportunity especially for the rural areas in Sweden. We need to get started with this now.

Mr. Speaker! As a Christian Democrat, I am pleased that we agree to take necessary measures as soon as possible to simplify and shorten the permit processes, which we have discussed today, specifically for the mining and minerals industry. The Government is taking absolutely necessary measures to simplify and shorten them.

Already under the previous government, it was decided to appoint an inquiry that would review the current system for environmental assessment and submit proposals on the changes and measures required to achieve a more modern and more efficient environmental assessment. We await that inquiry with anticipation.

I look forward to a good cooperation with the other parties who, just like we in the government base, love mines. During this mandate period, we shall move forward Sweden's position and become a leading nation in the Fraser Institute's ranking. The goal should be top three before 2026.

Mr. Speaker! I move again for approval of the committee's proposal.

The deliberation was hereby concluded.

(A decision was to be taken on March 30.)

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