Since 1999, Sweden has worked to achieve 16 environmental quality goals by 2020 with the aim of passing on a more sustainable society to the next generation.
For Skåne, 15 of these apply (Skåne is not affected by case S).
- We meet the goal Protected ozone layers because we have phased out ozone-depleting substances from refrigeration plants, for example, says Tommy Persson.
The County Administrative Board of Skåne's annual follow-up of the environmental goals for 2020 states that very good things are being done, but the development is too slow.
Only two of the other regional goals have a positive development.
Sneaking changes
For other goals, no clear development is seen at all, or even a negative development.
- One of the reasons is that we have a large growth in Skåne.
Skåne grows by about one percent a year and this in itself puts great pressure on natural resources, such as clean water and clean air.
The most difficult to achieve are the goals of preserving biological diversity and a rich agricultural landscape.
But the biggest challenge is to limit the climate impact, says Tommy Persson.
The problem is that climate change is difficult to see because it is about creeping changes in the landscape.
- Climate change is here and now and something we must constantly take care of.
The growing zones are moving
Climate change is noticeable, among other things, in the fact that plant zones are slowly moving north.
This means that new species thrive and establish themselves in Skåne and compete with our traditional plants.
An ever earlier spring means that plants and pollinators get out of step and new pests establish themselves and create problems for Skåne's food production.