The EU level

The Swedish Energy Agency represents Sweden in the work with different EU directives on energy, such as the Ecodesign directive. The Agency also has an information responsibility for EU:s energy related programmes and projects. Our task is to see to that the Swedish participation in these programmes increases.

The Agency encourages Swedish participation in EU programmes like the FP7 and the IEE and handles financial support for companies and researchers who want to take part in a project. The Agency's experts take part in the work with the technical platforms in the FP7 and in different working groups.

Sweden's national Representation in Brussels cooperates closely with the Agency on energy issues.

EU:s and Sweden's Climate goals

Climate change, increasing import dependency, security of supply and higher energy prices are challenges that all EU countries are facing. In December 2008 a comprehensive energy and climate package was launched, which set ambitious goals for 2020. The package shall get Europe back on track - towards a sustainable future in a low carbon and energy efficient economy. To achieve this end the EU has committed itself to:

• To reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent within the framework of a global climate agreement, or by 20 per cent in the absence of an international agreement.
• To increase the proportion of renewable energy to 20 per cent.
• To increase the proportion of renewable fuels to 10 per cent.
• To increase the efficiency of energy use by 20 per cent.

The EU is a platform for Swedish climate policy, and Sweden will make its contribution to achieving the Union's ambitious climate targets. In fact Sweden's objective were set higher, namely to increase the proportion of renewable energy to 50 percent (from 44 percent today) and to reach:

• 10 per cent renewable energy in the transport sector
• 20 per cent more efficient energy use
• 40 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions

The Government has presented a concerted package of measures in the area of climate and energy that included new funding of more than SEK 3 billion and a special initiative for climate and development worth some SEK 4 billion. This means that a total of SEK 7 billion is being provided for 2009-2011.