Response to interpellation 2023/24:578 on a new law for nature restoration
Translated from Swedish by AI; the translation may contain errors. The Swedish text is the original.
Summary AI, written in advance
The debate concerns the implementation of the EU's new requirements for nature restoration in Sweden. L argues that the government has worked towards ambitious and realistic goals to strengthen biodiversity, reduce greenhouse gases, and ensure climate adaptation 1. L emphasizes that ecosystem services are important for the economy and welfare 1. Furthermore, Sweden shall develop a national restoration plan where synergies with agriculture and forestry are identified so that forestry is not restricted 1. S emphasizes the importance of nature restoration to preserve biodiversity and strengthen environmental and climate resilience 2. S believes it is important to support farmers and landowners financially in the work 2.
Written by AI in advance and may contain errors. The numbers lead to the speech a statement builds on; check against the text below.
Statsrådet Romina Pourmokhtari (L)
Mr. Speaker! Joakim Järrebring has asked me how I intend to implement the EU's new requirements for nature restoration in a way that strengthens Sweden's work with environmental and climate goals, especially with regard to the preservation of biodiversity, and whether I plan to take any measures to ensure that restoration of grazing lands and other types of nature is carried out in a cost-effective manner, with minimal negative impact for farmers and landowners, while maximizing positive effects for the environment.
The government has worked for ambitious but at the same time relevant and realistic restoration goals at the EU level that are relevant and feasible in a Swedish context. There is an increased need for a continuous, long-term and sustained recovery of our biodiversity and a resilient nature within the union's land and marine areas through restoration of ecosystems, habitats and species, this in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, ensure climate adaptation and achieve the environmental goals as well as for the EU to be able to live up to its international commitments linked to biodiversity. Ecosystem services constitute an important foundation for the economy and welfare. By restoring damaged ecosystems, their long-term capacity to contribute with ecosystem services that have a crucial importance for human well-being is strengthened.
The proposal for an EU regulation on nature restoration contains rules that shall contribute to a long-term and lasting recovery of resilient ecosystems with biodiversity. The Council's formal approval of the regulation text is required before the proposal for an EU regulation on nature restoration can be published and enter into force.
If the proposed regulation enters into force, Sweden will develop a national restoration plan and carry out the preparatory work needed to identify which restoration measures are necessary and appropriate to achieve the regulation's goals and requirements. A proposal for a national restoration plan shall be submitted to the EU Commission no later than two years after the regulation has entered into force. In the work on the restoration plan, synergies with several societal goals and interests shall be identified, including synergies with the mitigation of climate change, climate adaptation, as well as synergies with agriculture and forestry. The Government will work to ensure that Swedish forestry is not restricted but can fully contribute to achieving the climate goals as well as creating jobs and growth throughout our long country. The work on the restoration plan shall be conducted in an open, transparent, inclusive, and purposeful manner. Relevant stakeholders shall be involved early so that they have the opportunity to participate in the work on the national restoration plan in a good way.
Regarding the restoration of grazing lands, as Joakim Järrebring mentions in one of his questions, the government on April 11 this year adopted a decision on a Swedish ordinance on national support to companies for measures in meadow and grazing lands to preserve, strengthen, develop, and restore biodiversity. It is an important measure to facilitate for landowners to restore biodiversity in meadow and grazing lands.
Joakim Järrebring (S)
Mr. Speaker! I thank the Minister for the answer.
I want to begin by emphasizing the importance of us working with nature restoration in Sweden, completely regardless of when or even if the new EU legislation in the area becomes a reality. Unfortunately, there was a pause, and many are concerned about whether the work will proceed with the next commission. It remains to be seen.
Nature restoration is a central part of our work to preserve biodiversity and strengthen our environmental and climate resilience. Our Swedish nature is an invaluable resource, and just as the minister said, it contributes valuable ecosystem services, not least clean air, clean water, and fertile soils. By restoring damaged ecosystems, we strengthen not only biodiversity but also our long-term ability to manage climate change and improve people's well-being and health.
Sweden has a long and good tradition of safeguarding our nature, and it is also our duty to continue that work with even greater force. We must ensure that the measures are concrete and feasible, as the minister addressed in his response. This requires clear goals and timeframes. It is crucial that we also support our farmers and landowners in this work so that they can be active and important actors in nature restoration without being affected economically. Nature restoration is not just about fulfilling international commitments but also about taking responsibility for our own environment and our own future.
As a follow-up to my questions - it is, as mentioned, a few months since I submitted the interpellation, and a lot has happened in the meantime - I wonder how the Minister views the future of the nature restoration regulation, given the political situation and the fact that we are now facing the upcoming EU elections. If the directive is put in the drawer, what ambition does the government then have in the area of nature restoration for the Swedish part?
Source: The Swedish Parliament. The speeches come from the open data of the Riksdag, translated into English by AI, which may contain errors.