About: Sweden
Gas grid operators unveil plan for European hydrogen infrastructure ‘backbone’
A group of eleven European gas infrastructure companies from nine EU member states presented on Friday (17 July) a plan to create a dedicated hydrogen pipeline network of almost 23,000 km by 2040, to be used in parallel to the natural gas grid.
Taming the ‘Frugal Four’: the challenge facing the German Presidency
The European Commission has presented its proposal for a recovery fund as part of the draft EU budget. Now the member states must be convinced, a task that will fall on Berlin when Germany takes over the EU Council Presidency in July, EURACTIV Germany reports.
Coronavirus: Swedes risk being excluded from travelling abroad
With summer approaching, many countries are preparing plans to reopen borders despite the lingering coronavirus pandemic. Sweden, however, could become a pariah because of the COVID-19's ongoing spread. EURACTIV Italia reports.
‘Frugal Four’ working on counter-proposal to Franco-German recovery fund
The €500 billion Franco-German EU recovery plan, presented on Monday (18 May), is too generous, according to the "Frugal Four" countries, who are working on a counter-proposal insisting on loans instead of grants and subsidies, diplomatic circles confirmed to EURACTIV Germany.
As Europe slowly exits lockdown, Sweden hunkers down for long haul
Sweden has taken a soft approach to virus restrictions and although its rules are likely to be in place longer than in other countries, officials are adamant their strategy is a winner in the long term.
Environmental measures in Swedish forests will continue to be strong
In a recent opinion piece, a group of NGOs wrote that Sweden's forest policy is wreaking havoc. Herman Sundqvist argues that this is wrong on several counts and that the country is working to improve environmental measures in the forest.
Sweden’s forest crimes
Sweden presents itself as a global torchbearer on the environment, but its forest policy is wreaking havoc. The EU must act to stop it, say five European NGOs.
EU voices concern about China’s jailing of bookseller
The EU criticised China on Tuesday (25 February) over the jailing of a Swedish book publisher, saying his rights were not respected.
‘Flight shame’? Europeans have never flown as frequently
Many people claim they are flying less to protect the environment but the figures say otherwise. The aviation industry is doing better than ever and its emissions have more than doubled since 1990. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Amid Russia’s tightening embrace, Belarus seeks better ties with EU
Belarus is interested in building good-neighbourly ties with the European Union, and in particular with Stockholm and Helsinki, if there are no preconditions from the bloc, Belorussian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Monday (25 November).
Europe’s ‘MIT’ wants to accelerate innovation and support creativity
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology often referred to as "Europe's MIT", is a little over ten years old and has already supported more than a hundred projects. It is now preparing to launch a branch to promote culture and the creative industries. EURACTIV France reports.
Altmaier’s cloud initiative and the pursuit of European digital sovereignty
In October, German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier is set to reveal more detailed plans for the establishment of a landmark European Cloud initiative known as 'Gaia-X.'
Sweden reveals plans for bank tax to finance defence spending increase
Sweden has revealed plans to introduce a new bank tax to fund the country's future increase in defence spending from 2022, as it revamps efforts to counter Russia’s military build-up in the Baltic Sea region.
EU ‘climate leaders’ praised on goal-setting but falling short on detail
Finland, Sweden, Portugal, France and Germany are often seen as “climate leaders” when it comes to setting ambitious carbon reduction objectives for 2050. However, they lack concrete measures to achieve them, according to fresh analysis published today (4 July).
Europe’s airports target carbon-neutrality by 2050, planes not included
Nearly 200 European airports in 45 countries pledged on Wednesday (26 June) to drastically slash their greenhouse gas output by 2050. However, the target only includes airport infrastructure and not aircraft.
Europe’s first mega battery factory gets EIB blessing
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is on the verge of granting €350 million to a Swedish company for what will be Europe’s first mega-sized battery factory, the EU lender announced on Thursday (16 May).
US breaks from Arctic consensus on climate change
At a meeting of the Arctic Council, secretary of state Mike Pompeo refused to identify global warming as a threat, instead hailing an oil rush as sea ice melts. EURACTIV's media partner Climate Home News reports.
Amid worries over Russia, Sweden returns troops to Baltic island
Under an icy rain, camouflage-clad Swedish soldiers crouched behind a log pile, aimed their machine guns towards the Baltic Sea and, at their officers' barked orders, opened fire down the snow-covered range.
‘Europe will have at least ten gigafactories’, says battery boss
Northvolt CEO Peter Carlsson wants to build Europe’s largest battery cell plant – in the middle of the Swedish countryside. In an interview, he explained how this should work and gave his thoughts on his new partner Volkswagen’s electromobility offensive.
Weakened principles, weakened voice, Swedish PM tells MEPs
The EU can only be a strong voice for democracy in the world if all 28 member states stand up for the principles of democracy at home, Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven said on Wednesday (3 April) in front of EU...
EU country briefing: Sweden
Sweden joined the EU only in 1995 and a year later also became part of the Schengen area. However, it is one of the six EU countries that are not part of NATO and it also refuses to join the eurozone, following a referendum in 2003, in which people voted against adopting the common currency. This has resulted in a de-facto opt-out.
Brexit dampens desires to leave EU
The Swedish far-right party, the Sweden Democrats, is no longer calling for the country to leave the EU and it is not the only one. Several European populist parties have backtracked on this issue. EURACTIV France reports.
Liberals and the far-right: A contrasting experience in Spain, Sweden
Four months ahead of the European elections, liberal parties are torn between those ready to engage with the far-right and those opposed to any kind of alliance. Spain and Sweden offer the latest examples.