Från ord till handling i miljömålsarbetet : Utmaningar och möjligheter för mindre kommuner vid utformning och implementering av miljömålsprogram

Sammanfattning: In Sweden, environmental policy is carried out through a system of environmental objectives adopted by Parliament in 1999. Although not without its’ shortcomings, this system provides a solid ground for increased efficiency and improved prioritisation in environmental policy. This master's thesis examines which challenges face smaller (in terms of population) municipalities when designing and implementing an environmental programme by breaking down the national environmental objectives at the local level. How conflicting objectives between different areas of interest are addressed is also discussed. A comparative analysis of two municipalities with an effective environmental policy is conducted. This is done mainly through interviews with administrative officers and local politicians. The analysis indicates that among the biggest challenges facing smaller municipalities are: influencing citizen behaviour; insufficient support from authorities at the regional and national levels; embedding environmental concerns in all groups of personnel within the organisation; environmental work becoming too dependent of external funds, political will and/or dedicated and committed officers. While neither external funds nor political majority or dedicated officers are constants, municipalities should aim for continuity in their environmental work regardless of these factors. In this respect, the extent to which the municipality can be characterised as a learning organisation becomes an important determinant. By integrating environmental concerns throughout the whole organisation and across sectors, they can become a priority, pulling the administrative personnel together.