About The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Last reviewed: 1 September 2026

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency is a government agency responsible for climate, environmental and nature-related issues. We work on behalf of the Swedish Government in Sweden, within the EU and internationally. Our work contributes to a sustainable and resilient society.

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency works to support a socio-economically efficient climate transition, promote a circular economy and strengthen biodiversity. Our areas of responsibility are closely linked to many other important societal issues. The competitiveness of businesses and the development of society are therefore important perspectives in our work.

Part of our remit is to distribute government funding to other organisations working on issues such as the protection and management of valuable natural areas, the remediation of contaminated sites and compensation for wildlife damage. We also provide grants to support the transition to a fossil-free and resource-efficient economy, measures to strengthen biodiversity, and strengthened preparedness in wastewater and waste management.

Applying and developing Swedish and EU legislation within our field are important parts of our work. We also support other organisations and authorities in implementing regulations and carrying out supervision and enforcement activities.

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency is the national authority responsible for effective wildlife management and for developing the conditions for hunting. We also work to strengthen society’s preparedness and resilience.

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency works with others to create a good living environment

The Agency plays an important role in proposing measures to the Government that help Sweden achieve its environmental objectives and other key societal goals. Many organisations and individuals across society share responsibility for environmental action. We therefore work closely with other government agencies and a wide range of stakeholders.

We base our work on knowledge and highlight opportunities for sustainable development

Our work is grounded in scientific knowledge. We also value other forms of knowledge and practical experience. An important part of our approach is to highlight opportunities for building a more sustainable society.

While our primary focus is environmental protection, our work also contributes to better health, improved quality of life, greater resource efficiency and stronger competitiveness.

The Agency is responsible for Sweden's official statistics on waste, the application of the Environmental Code, the state of the environment and emissions.

We are an environmental authority working on behalf of the Government

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency operates on behalf of the Government and plays an important role in a democratic society. The responsibilities of public service and the core values of the Swedish state are central to the way we govern and carry out our work.

Our vision

”A good living environment for humans and all living things, now and for future generations.”

Our organisation

The core operations of the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency are organised in the following departments:

  • Department for Environmental Planning and Compliance (P)
  • Department for Climate and Air Quality (K)
  • Department for Nature and Wildlife (N)
  • Department for a Resource efficient Society (S)
  • Department for Coordination, Government Assignments and International Cooperation (H)

The departments for  Climate and Air Quality, a Resource efficient Society and Nature and Wildlife together constitute the policy implementation departments.

Management Support for the Agency includes the Director General's Office (G) and Internal Audit ( I ). There is also the Department för for digital transformation, business development and support (U) and the Department for Communication (C).

The Organisation of the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (pdf)

The department works strategically on community planning and environmental legislation to achieve environmental objectives and promote sustainable development. The department promotes a green transition that limits the impact on nature, the environment and health and promotes the sustainable use of land and other resources, including water.

The department applies and contributes to the development of instruments for efficient and effective planning, approval and supervision of environmentally harmful activities and other land-use measures. The department’s mission includes systemic responsibility for the Environmental Code, protecting public environmental protection interests in legal cases and matters and being responsible for environmental assessment issues, coordinating and developing supervision guidance and other guidance and providing environmental and legal support on wildlife matters for the entire Agency.

In addition, the department is responsible for the coordination and development of the Agency’s outdoor recreation matters.

The remit of the Department for Climate and Air Quality is to implement climate-related policy and work to reduce air pollution. To do so, it undertakes to supply knowledge, develop policy instruments and take action. The Department bears primary responsibility for implementing measures to enable four of Sweden’s national environmental objectives – Reduced Climate Impact, A Protective Ozone Layer, Clean Air and Natural Acidification Only – to be achieved. The Department is also in charge of monitoring progress towards, and evaluating, these objectives.

In cooperation with the Department for Nature and Wildlife (N) and the Department for a Resource efficient Society (S), the Department for Climate and Air Quality is responsible for providing support in issues of environmental law and in the form of economic analyses for the whole Swedish EPA.

The remit of this Department is to implement environmental policy concerning biodiversity, ecosystem services, and landscape and wildlife management. The remit also includes being responsible for supplying knowledge, developing policy instruments and implementing measures.

The Department bears primary responsibility for carrying out measures to enable achievement of the following seven national environmental objectives: Flourishing Lakes and Streams, A Balanced Marine Environment, Flourishing Coastal Areas and Archipelagos, Thriving Wetlands, Sustainable Forests, A Varied Agricultural Landscape, A Magnificent Mountain Landscape and A Rich Diversity of Plant and Animal Life.

The Department for Nature and Wildlife is also in charge of monitoring and evaluating three of these environmental objectives: Thriving Wetlands, A Magnificent Mountain Landscape and A Rich Diversity of Plant and Animal Life.

In cooperation with the Department for Climate and Air Quality (K) and the Department for a Resource efficient Society (S), the Department for Nature and Wildlife is responsible for providing support in issues of environmental law and through economic analyses for the whole Swedish EPA.

The Department for a Resource efficient Society has overall responsibility for the Swedish EPA’s work on a socio-economically efficient transition to a circular economy, including work on soil-related environmental issues, litter reduction, sustainable waste management, waste prevention efforts, and non-toxic, resource-efficient closed-loop cycles.

The department is responsible for measures to achieve the environmental objectives of a Non-Toxic Environment and a Good Built Environment. The department’s assignment includes providing knowledge and environmental information, developing policy instruments and implementing measures.

In cooperation with the Department for Climate and Air Quality (K) and the Department for Nature and Wildlife (N), the Department for a Resource efficient Society is responsible for providing support in issues of socio-economic analyses for the whole Swedish EPA.

The Department for Coordination, Government Assignments and International Cooperation promotes sustainable development and supports the specialised departments efforts to develop their knowledge base. The department provides support in EU and international work, coordinates and implements bilateral, regional and global initiatives, coordinates participation in multilateral organisations and is responsible for government assignments, for the work on environmental objectives with other authorities and the Agency’s innovation work.

The department’s remit also includes coordinating environmental management in government agencies.

The Director General's Office is responsible for assisting the Director-General and for liaising with the Swedish Government Offices. Its remit includes management of overarching matters, such as the Swedish EPA’s appropriation directions, allocation of government assignments and responsibility for the management system. The Office oversees the internal guiding objectives, direction of planning, management review process, budget basis and transparency committee.

The Director General's Office is the convener for dialogue with the Swedish Government Offices and contact point for the Swedish National Audit Office. The Swedish EPA’s Chief Legal Officer belongs to the Director General's Office.

The Department for Communication is responsible for the development, planning, monitoring, coordination and implementation of internal and external communications.

The chief press officer is situated within the Department for Communication.