Swedish climate adaptation efforts 2024: Increased collaboration but major challenges remain
Although most of the government agencies are complying with the Climate Adaptation Ordinance, the 2024 summary report highlights growing resource shortages and a pressing need for enhanced coordination, long-term financing, and updated knowledge bases.
Sweden’s government agencies continue their climate adaptation work in accordance with the Ordinance on Government Agencies’ Climate Adaptation Work (2018:1428). SMHI’s summary analysis of reports from 51 agencies for the year 2024 shows that while most agencies have fulfilled their assignments, there are significant variations in implementation. Several agencies lack updated climate and vulnerability analyses or action plans, often due to limited resources.
The work of the County Administrative Boards has been particularly affected by the discontinuation of climate adaptation funding as of January 1, 2024. The impacts vary — some boards have managed to prioritize climate adaptation efforts, while others have been more severely affected.
To strengthen future efforts, SMHI recommends that the Government:
- Revise the Climate Adaptation Ordinance
- Review the long-term financing of climate adaptation efforts for County Administrative Boards and national agencies
- Instruct regulatory agencies to collaborate with other national agencies and County Administrative Boards to develop and disseminate tailored knowledge bases
- Assign regulatory agencies to coordinate climate adaptation efforts within regional collaboration groups to address major challenges
In conclusion, this year’s analysis highlights a growing need for better collaboration, long-term financing, and deeper integration of climate adaptation into regular agency operations, in order to meet the challenges posed by climate change in a sustainable and effective way.
Access the report (with summary in English) on the SMHI website
Länk till annan webbplats.