Nordic cooperation - now providing input to the EU
Nordic environmental cooperation is led by the Nordic Council of Ministers. This cooperation has evolved over the last ten years to embrace not only Nordic projects but also the drafting of joint submissions on issues of current concern to the EU, such as the marine environment and the environmental impact of products. (The Council is also broadening its cooperation with our regional neighbours Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Russia.)
The main contribution of the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the work of the Nordic Council of Ministers is through expert participation in working groups, including specifically environmental working groups and groups concerned with environmental issues in other policy areas.
There are environmental working groups on the following fields:
- Marine environment
- Environment and the economy
- Chemicals issues
- Climate and air
- Nature conservation, outdoor recreation and the cultural environment
- Sustainable consumptions and production
- Waste
The Swedish EPA also assists with the preparation of documentation for meetings of the Nordic environment ministers. The ministers' decisions are prepared by the Nordic Committee of Senior Officials for Environmental Affairs.
The framework for Nordic environmental cooperation is the Nordic Environmental Action Programme. The ministers of Environment decided in October 2012 on a new action programme valid through 2013-2018 prioritizing Green economy, Climate change, Air, Biodiversity and Chemicals.
In 2016 Finland chairs the Nordic Council of Ministers. Environmental priorities are:
Working groups
Working groups in different environmental areas on Nordic Council of Ministers Web: