Blog #1 - Internship at the Swedish EPA

 

Over the past weeks, I have started my internship at the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, working within the Department for a Resource Efficient Society. This experience has given me an interesting introduction to how sustainability work is carried out on a national level, as well as within a broader European and international context.

The Swedish EPA works on behalf of the Swedish government, but also plays an important role within the EU and in international environmental cooperation. The agency leads and coordinates environmental efforts in Sweden and is organised into different departments. I am part of the Department for a Resource Efficient Society, which focuses on the transition to a circular economy and reducing environmental impact.

So far, I have had the opportunity to participate in various meetings, dialogues, and conferences. One thing that has stood out to me is how much collaboration is involved. Many discussions include stakeholders from different sectors, which highlights how complex and interconnected sustainability challenges are. It is not just about environmental issues in isolation, but also about balancing economic and social perspectives.

I am also beginning to understand more about how EU regulations are implemented in practice, and how they influence national policies and decision-making. This has helped me connect theoretical knowledge from my studies to real-world processes.

At this stage, I am mostly observing and learning, but it already feels valuable to see how policies and strategies are shaped. I am looking forward to becoming more involved in ongoing projects and contributing more actively in the coming weeks.