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Environment

Official statistics of Sweden

Surveys by statistics areas

  • Emissions

    Discharges to water and sewage sludge production – Municipal waste water treatment plants, pulp and paper industry and other industry

    Statistical agency: Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

    The statistics describe discharges to water in Sweden from major point sources as well as the quality and use of the sludge produced in the treatment plants. The statistics include discharges from incensed municipal water treatment plants, pulp and paper industry and certain other coastal industries.

    Emissions of atmospheric pollutants

    Statistical agency: Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

    The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency compiles and reports the data on emissions of air pollutants in Sweden every year. The report is presented in accordance with the UN Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP) and the EU National Emission Ceilings Directive (2001/81/EC).

    Greenhouse gas emissions and removals

    Statistical agency: Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

    The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency annually produces statistics on territorial emissions and removals of greenhouse gases for tracking progress with national and international climate targets as well as for international reporting under the UN Climate Convention, the Kyoto Protocol and EU regulations.

    Preliminary yearly emissions of green house gases

    Statistical agency: Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

  • Environmental accounts and sustainable development

    Circular economy

    Statistics on Circular economy are only available in Swedish.

    Environmental protection expenditure

    Environmental protection costs are the expenses paid for environmental protection. This includes investments and current expenditures. Statistics Sweden each year conducts a survey of environmental protection expenditures within the industrial sector. The work with environmental protection expenditures within the public sector is still under development.

    Sustainable Development Indicators

    A global system of indicators of sustainable development was drafted under UN auspices. The EU and Sweden are active participants in this work. Here are links to the reports produced since 2001.

    System of Environmental and Economic Accounts

    The Environmental Accounts provide a systematic description of the relationship between the environment and the economy and can be used for analyses of various types. They function as a satellite system to the National Accounts, presenting environmentally related physical and economic information for industries, the public sector and households. They also provide information for analyzing environmental and economic policies and is used for developing indicators for sustainable development.

  • Fertilisers and lime

    Nitrogen and phosphorus balances for agricultural land

    The statistics show the input and removal of nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural land and the agricultural sector regionally and nationally. The difference between the input and removal, surplus/deficit, provides a measure of the total plant nutrient situation and the risk of adverse environmental impact on soil, water and air.

    Sales of fertilisers for agricultural and horticultural purposes

    The statistics show the regional sales of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in mineral fertilisers for agricultural and horticultural purposes.

    Sales of lime for agricultural and horticultural purposes, for lakes and woodlands

    Statistics on sales of lime have ceased since 2013. The statistics included sales of lime products to agriculture and horticulture, and the liming of lakes, watercourses and forests. For data on the spreading of lime on crop lands, see Fertilisers and cultivation measures in agriculture and the Statistical Report.

    Use of fertilisers and animal manure and cultivation measures in agriculture

    The statistics on fertilizers cover the use of mineral fertilizers and manure. They show the supply of plant nutrients to different crops and the handling, storage and application of manure from different animal species. The presentation on cultivation measures in agriculture includes data on the choice of tillage techniques, the use of catch crops, liming of crop lands and more.

  • Land use

    Activities zones and retail trade areas

    The statistics describe the number of employees, workplaces, industries, and areas. Activities zones include airports, mines and pits, industrial zones, and zones with higher education and health care establishments. Statistics Sweden creates geodata with activities zones and retail trade areas. Geodata is available as open data.

    Formally protected forest land, voluntary set-asides, consideration patches and unproductive forest land

    Statistics of forest land within the four forms Formally protected forest land, Voluntary set-asides, Consideration patches and Unproductive forest land. Where possible, the statistics are reported by county level or by geographical regions. The information is produced in collaboration between four Swedish authorities; Statistics Sweden, the Swedish Forest Agency, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and the Swedish National Forest Inventory.

    Green areas within and in the vicinity of urban settlements

    The statistics describe the structure of green areas in major urban areas as well as the extent to which the population has access to the green areas. The statistics are produced by a combined analysis of satellite images and register data.

    Holiday home areas

    The statistics describe contiguous areas that consist mainly of holiday homes. A holiday home area is a collection of at least 50 holiday homes, where the distance between them does not exceed 150 metres.

    Land and water areas

    The statistics describe the appearance of the land and how it is utilised based on processing by the satellite image product, the Swedish database on land and vegetation cover (SMD). The statistics have been produced as a one-time survey. No follow-up is possible since the Swedish database on land and vegetation cover (SMD) is not updated.

    Land use in proximity to shoreline

    The statistics describe the population and settlement structure along the coasts, on islands and along the beaches and waterways. The reported data include coastal and beach lengths, number of islands, population and buildings on the islands and along the water areas.

    Land use in Sweden

    The statistics provide a comprehensive description of how the land in Sweden is used for different purposes and how land use has changed over time. Data is presented on the size of the land areas used for agriculture, forestry and buildings and infrastructure of various kinds.

    Other statistics on land use

    The statistics describe the appearance of the land and how it is utilised based on processing by the satellite image product, the Swedish database on land and vegetation cover (SMD). The statistics have been produced as a one-time survey. No follow-up is possible since the Swedish database on land and vegetation cover (SMD) is not updated.

    Peat

    Statistics Sweden provides annual statistics on production and use of peat. Data on assessments on environmental impact from usage of peat are also included.

    Protected nature

    The purpose of this survey is to give an overall view of protected areas in Sweden. Protected areas are defined here as statutory protection of nature regulated by the Environmental Code, such as national parks, nature reserves etc.

    Retail geography

    Statistics on retail geography is published together with statistics on activities zones.

    Smaller localities

    The statistics show the land area, population and population density of small towns. A small town (småort) has contiguous buildings with no more than 150 metres between houses and 50-199 inhabitants. Statistics Sweden separates small towns geographically and then calculates statistics per small town.

    Statistics on drainage areas

    The statistics show land use, buildings and the business structure in the watershed area. The report includes data on types of land use, agricultural land use, number of pets, population and data on drainage for one- to two dwelling buildings and agricultural properties.

    Urban areas, localities and small localities

    The statistics describe land area, population, and more, within the built-up areas which are classified as localities and urban areas (at least 200 inhabitants) and as small localities (50-199 inhabitants). Statistics Sweden creates geodata with the built-up areas. Geodata is available as open data.

  • Marine and water environment

    Lakes, watercourses and groundwater – environmental quality

    Statistical agency: Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management

    The statistics show the environmental situation in relatively unaffected waters based on time series data of phytoplankton in lakes, fish, phosphorus and nitrogen in lakes and watercourses, as well as the effect of acidification, alkalinity, chloride and nitrate in groundwater.

    Swedish nitrogen and phosphorous load to the sea

    Statistical agency: Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management

    The statistics show the inflow of phosphorus and nitrogen from Swedish watercourses in tonnes per year to the maritime areas of the Bothnian Sea, Bay of Bothnia, Baltic Sea, Öresund, Kattegatt and Skagerrak.

  • Other
  • Sales and use of chemicals

    Flow analyses of chemical substances

    Statistical agency: Swedish Chemicals Agency

    Facts about substances and substance groups, for example, production processes, consumption patterns and physical data.

    Hazardous chemicals

    Statistical agency: Swedish Chemicals Agency

    The statistics are no longer updated. The purpose of the statistics was to provide knowledge on where in the community various chemicals were located and how they are used. The reports cover about 80 different chemicals.

    Overview of chemicals

    Statistical agency: Swedish Chemicals Agency

    How much dishwashing detergent was sold to consumers last year? Which chemicals are common in the metalworking industries? Answers to these and many other questions are available in overview tables.

    Pesticides in agriculture and horticulture – use on crops

    Statistical agency: Swedish Chemicals Agency

    The purpose of the survey is to continuously provide regional and differentiated statistics on pesticide use and to monitor changes in consumption over time. The survey also provides essential information for following up politically established environmental goals.

    Pesticides in Swedish agriculture. Number of hectare doses

    Statistical agency: Swedish Chemicals Agency

    Manufacturers and agents for chemical pesticides annually submit data to the Swedish Chemicals Agency on quantities sold in Sweden of various products.

    Sold quantities of pestidicides

    Statistical agency: Swedish Chemicals Agency

    The statistics show the quantity of sold pesticides for different categories of users and types of pesticide.

  • State of the environment

    Air – environmental quality

    Statistical agency: Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

    The air pollutants that are commonly present in urban and rural air are mainly due to traffic, combustion and industrial processes. Data from Swedish municipalities on particulate matter (PM10 and PM2,5), nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, benzene, carbon monoxide, benzo(a)pyrene and certain metals are reported annually to the European Commission under Directive 2008/50/EC and Directive 2004/107/EC. Measurements in rural air and precipitation (e.g. ozone, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxides) are conducted by the Swedish EPA.

    Environmental quality in a health perspective

    Statistical agency: Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

    Freshwater – environmental quality: hazardous substances

    Statistical agency: Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

    Seas and coastal areas – environmental quality hazardous substances

    Statistical agency: Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

    These statistics are no longer updated.

  • Waste

    Waste, electronic equipment and batteries

    Statistical agency: Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

    The statistics show sold, collected and treated amounts of electrical and electronic equipment and batteries. The treatment may include reuse, recovery, recycling or disposal. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency is the supervisory authority for the collection and processing of electrical equipment and batteries. The statistics are based on data from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.

    Waste, generated and treated

    Statistical agency: Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

    The report contains descriptions and statistics on the generation and treatment of waste. Generated waste is reported for about 50 types of waste, hazardous and non-hazardous, for 18 sectors and households. The treatment of waste presents the amounts of waste that are recycled, incinerated and landfilled, for example.

    Waste, packaging

    Statistical agency: Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

    The packaging statistics show recycling rates for packaging that takes place in Sweden every year. Packages are used to protect and present a product and can, for example, be made of paper, plastic, metal, wood or glass.

    Waste, transboundary shipments

    The statistics show transboundary shipments of waste that require notification controls. Waste that need prior notification is for example hazardous waste, household waste and construction and demolition waste. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency receives data on waste shipments that need prior notification to be imported into or exported out of Sweden. Before the transport of waste that need prior notification may start, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and other competent authorities must give consent to the transport in question. The statistics are based on data reported by the operators to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.

  • Water use

    Agricultural water use in Sweden

    The statistics give an overview of agricultural water use and provide information on water for livestock and irrigation. The statistics are used to calculate the total water use in Sweden.

    Industrial water use in Sweden

    The statistics give an overview of water use in the industry sector. Figures regarding extraction, use and discharge of water are presented by branch of industry, type of water and region. The statistics are compiled and released every five years. The statistics are used to identify the manufacturing industry sectors that are most water-intensive and how the industrial use of water changes over time.

    Water withdrawal and water use in Sweden

    Statistics Sweden conducts surveys on water withdrawal and water use every fifth year. The statistics shows the amount of ground water, surface water and sea water abstracted. Water usage is broken down into four main categories, households, manufacturing industry, agriculture and other users. The statistics is presented on county level and river basin districts.