Sweden's government has dismantled much of the work preventing climate change damage. Regional administrations lost two-thirds of staff positions dedicated to climate adaptation since 2023.
Officials in Västernorrland County question how to prioritize with reduced funding. The cuts affected positions working on preventive climate measures.
Viveka Sjödin leads the community development unit at Västernorrland County administration. She said funding falls short for long-term climate work.
The economic changes preceded severe autumn storms in Västernorrland. Heavy rainfall exceeded 100 millimeters in some areas within 24 hours.
These conditions match climate scenarios researchers have long warned about. The downpours caused major road damage and two train derailments.
A man died after driving into a collapsed road section. The embankment beneath one railway track washed away completely.
Meanwhile, Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari maintains climate work remains a high priority. She essentially reprimanded county administrations for misallocating resources.
The minister claims agencies should fulfill their mandates using available funding. She announced plans to review the situation personally.
Pourmokhtari stated funding exists but isn't specifically earmarked for climate adaptation. This creates tension between national priorities and local implementation.
The situation highlights Sweden's struggle to balance climate commitments with budgetary realities. Local authorities face impossible choices when asked to do more with less funding.