YES: The environmental quality objective will be achieved with policy instruments already decided on and with measures

2. Legend YES: The environmental quality objective will be achieved with policy instruments already decided on and with measures implemented before 2020. CLOSE: The environmental quality objective is close to being achieved. Plans now exist for policy instruments that will be decided on before 2020. NO: It is not possible to achieve the environmental quality objective by 2020 on the basis of policy instruments already decided on or planned. POSITIVE: The trend in the state of the environment is positive. NEUTRAL: No clear trend in the state of the environment can be seen. NEGATIVE: The trend in the state of the environment is negative. UNCLEAR: Insufficient data are available to assess the trend in the state of the environment.

3. ILLUSTRATIONS: Tobias Flygar. PHoto: Hans Geijer/JOHNER 1. Reduced Climate Impact Atmosphericconcentrationsof greenhouse gasesarerising, owingmainlyto emissions from power and heat generation, industrial processes and transport. To avoidwarmingofmorethan 2 ºC and reduce the risk ofdangerousclimatechange, an international climateagreement is needed. In it, global emissions needto be morethanhalved by 2050 and reducedtoaroundzero by the end of the century.

4. PHoto: Peder Björkegren/JOHNER 2. Clean Air Air pollution still causes significant damage to human health, vegetation and cultural heritage. Further action is needed to meet this objective. Internationally, steps must be taken to reduce concentrations of particles and ground-level ozone. At a national level, additional action is required to curb emissions of nitrogen oxides and of particulates from the use of studded tyres.

5. PHoto: Hans Bjurling/JOHNER 3. Natural Acidification Only Some improvement has occurred in the acidification status of surface waters, but not in that of forest soils or groundwaters. Further international action is called for, chiefly to reduce emissions from international shipping. At a national level, measures are mainly needed to mitigate the effects of forestry. The EU Commission has adopted a new policy package to cut air pollutant emissions.

6. PHoto: Göran Nyrén/JOHNER 4. A Non-Toxic Environment Some toxic pollutants are declining, but persistent ones are a major problem. In many cases, there is no basis for assessing how levels are changing. Growing global consumption is increasing production of chemicals and other products, and with it diffuse release of dangerous substances. The EU has begun to restrict use of substances of very high concern. Policy instruments are developing favourably, but more action is needed.

7. PHoto: Per Magnus Persson/JOHNER 5. A Protective Ozone Layer Thinning of the ozone layer has stopped, with much to suggest that ozone is increasing again. There are uncertainties in the assessment, however, linked to both the scientific data and ozone’s natural variability. There is also an ongoing threat to the ozone layer from the future influence of climate, continued use of ozone-depleting substances, and emissions from end-of-life products.

8. PHoto: Kenneth Bengtsson/JOHNER 6. A Safe Radiation Environment Positive progress can be seen on many aspects of this objective. However, the incidence of skin cancer has increased over a long period. To reduce exposure to ultraviolet radiation, lifestyles and attitudes to sunbathing and personal appearance need to change. Even if exposure declines, cancer incidence will go on rising for a time, as it can take decades for skin cancer to develop.

9. PHoto: Lena Koller/JOHNER 7. Zero Eutrophication Nutrient loads are falling and in some areas symptoms of eutrophication are abating, but much of Sweden is still affected. Conditions are worst in the Baltic Sea. Action to curb nutrient emissions has produced results, but recovery is slow. To move closer to the objective, emissions must be further reduced, both in other countries bordering on Swedish sea areas and from international shipping.

10. PHoto: Annika Vannerus/JOHNER 8. Flourishing Lakes and Streams Many lakes and watercourses lack good ecological status. Acidification has eased, but still affects fresh waters. Physical disturbance and fragmentation are problems throughout Sweden. Many species have yet to achieve favourable conservation status, owing to poor habitats and water quality. River restoration is under way, but progress is slow. Greater environmental consideration is needed.

11. PHoto: Jeppe Wikström/JOHNER 9. Good-Quality Groundwater Problems of polluted groundwater exist countrywide, especially in farming and urban areas. Better monitoring is needed to be able to describe, prioritise and address the right problem in the right place. Efforts to protect groundwater resources are progressing, but must be stepped up. More effective measures are needed in the areas of supervision, planning, water management and agriculture.

12. PHoto: Jeppe Wikström/JOHNER • A Balanced Marine Environment, Flour-ishing Coastal Areas and Archipelagos Eutrophication, toxic pollutants and weak fish stocks remain major problems for the marine environment. Other concerns are marine litter, oxygen depletion on the seabed, alien species, and disturbance or destruction of sensitive habitats and cultural heritage. To achieve this objective, much remains to be done to develop and implement key policy instruments, in Sweden and at EU level.

13. PHoto: Pär Brännström/JOHNER • Thriving Wetlands Damage to valuable wetlands and vegetation change are still occurring, impacting natural and cultural values and ecosystem services. Effects of drainage, climate change, alien species and nitrogen deposition remain a problem. Support for wetland creation has been withdrawn. Conservation measures, e.g. protection, management and restoration, and environmental care in different sectors need to be stepped up.

14. PHoto: Ulf Huett Nilsson/JOHNER 12. Sustainable Forests Forestry is now doing more to live up to its sectoral responsibility and has taken many forward-looking measures. The conservation status of several forest types is unfavourable, and many forest species are threatened. To meet the objective, better environmental consideration is needed, along with more protection and conservation management. Some action will only have effects in the longer term.

15. PHoto: Tore Hagman/Naturfotograferna/Pixelfactory 13. A Varied Agricultural Landscape The farmed landscape is still contracting, and many habitats and species are not in favourable conservation status. Farmland productivity is judged acceptable, but must continue to be monitored. Sustainable, viable agriculture, capable of delivering food and natural and cultural values, is needed throughout the country, while adverse impacts on the environment continue to be reduced.

16. PHoto: Hans Geijer/JOHNER 14. A Magnificent Mountain Landscape Natural resources in sensitive mountain areas are used by a variety of interests. Wind power, mining and other activities can also disturb reindeer grazing and its benefits for biodiversity. Growing use of off-road vehicles is increasing damage to soil and vegetation. More needs to be known about mountain cultural heritage, and about how much disturbance ecosystems can withstand. Current climate change also has an impact.

17. PHoto: Göran Assner/JOHNER 15. A Good Built Environment Homes are becoming more energy-efficient. Radon remediation is under way in many, but much needs to be done to tackle noise and poor indoor environments, enhance planning and protect cultural heritage. Growth in road transport is adding to noise and reducing air quality. Urban green space is contracting, and quantities of waste continue to grow. Overall, more action and new instruments are needed.

18. PHoto: Kenneth Bengtsson/JOHNER 16. A Rich Diversity of Plant and Animal Life Many species and habitats are at risk and ecosystems are becoming impoverished. Alien species continue to expand. Resources must be used with greater care, and natural areas need to be better protected and managed. Sweden must also give a lead internationally. Instruments are not in place or not being used, and resources are insufficient to conserve biodiversity and ecosystem services in the long term.