2024-06-122023/24:KrU11 · p.5KrUCulture
The ecclesiastical cultural heritage and climate change
What's at stake: Church buildings and items such as altarpieces risk damage from, for example, flooding as the climate changes, affecting how long this heritage can be preserved. It concerns the Church of Sweden, heritage authorities and everyone who values church cultural heritage.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The question is whether existing, broad preparedness work is sufficient to protect church cultural heritage, or whether this protection explicitly needs to be climate-adapted.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee highlights that general civil-preparedness work has been strengthened, including through a national cultural-heritage protection council, and considers this ongoing work sufficient. It therefore rejects the motion calling for climate adaptation of church cultural heritage.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 7 (C)
The Centre Party argues that climate change is already creating major challenges for preserving church buildings, environments and items such as altarpieces, and that protection of church heritage needs to be climate-adapted as part of broader preparedness for a growing climate crisis.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 7 by C.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
What each plan points to — and how the party voted
For each party: the vote its own election manifesto and party programme point to in this case, next to how the party actually voted. A plan can only point to Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| Plan | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | Yes 19/0/0/5 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| S | No | Yes 90/0/0/16 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| MP | No | Yes 15/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: high | derived |
| C | No | No 0/21/0/3 | follows the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| L | No | Yes 12/0/0/4 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| KD | No | Yes 16/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| M | No | Yes 58/0/0/10 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | derived |
| SD | No | Yes 63/0/0/9 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects motion 2023/24:2887 by Catarina Deremar et al. (C) claim 4.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motion 2023/24:2887 av Catarina Deremar m.fl. (C) yrkande 4.
Riksdag decision: In a communication on the cultural-historical values within the Church of Sweden, the government describes, among other things, how the ecclesiastical heritage compensation was used during the period 2002-2022. The government describes, for example, the accessibility of the ecclesiastical cultural monuments, knowledge and competence matters, and cooperation between the Church of Sweden and various authorities. The Riksdag placed the communication with the files, that is, closed the case. The Riksdag also rejected a number of motion claims in the same area with reference to ongoing work.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants to strengthen digitalization of the church cultural heritage and ensure that all congregations use the digital inventory service and that county administrations receive better conditions for their supervision activities. (C) — Reservation 7
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The election manifesto requires that all political decisions take into account the acute climate crisis, and the party programme wants to see a robust society built to handle various crises and lifts the protection of cultural heritage under the cultural environment law and measures that strengthen resilience against the consequences of climate change.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto requires that all political decisions take into account the acute climate crisis, and the party programme wants to see a robust society built to handle various crises and lifts the protection of cultural heritage under the cultural environment law and measures that strengthen resilience against the consequences of climate change. The counter-proposal's requirement that protection of ecclesiastical cultural heritage be climate-adapted as part of broader preparedness follows that line. The plan thus speaks against existing preparedness work being sufficient.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet kräver att alla politiska beslut tar hänsyn till det akuta klimatnödläget, och partiprogrammet vill se ett robust samhälle byggt för att klara olika kriser samt lyfter kulturmiljölagens skydd av kulturarvet och åtgärder som stärker motståndskraften mot klimatförändringarnas konsekvenser. Motförslagets krav på att skyddet av det kyrkliga kulturarvet klimatanpassas som del av en bredare beredskap följer den linjen. Planen talar därmed emot att befintligt beredskapsarbete räcker.
- climate crisis in all decisionsdecisive»Omställningen behöver ske omgående och alla politiska beslut behöver ta hänsyn till den akuta kris som vi befinner oss i.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The transition needs to happen immediately and all political decisions need to take the acute crisis we are in into account.”
- protection of cultural heritage»som skyddar vårt kulturarv, är viktiga för att alla människor ska kunna« (party programme ↗)“which protects our cultural heritage, are important for all people to be able to”
- resilience against climate effects»stärker motståndskraften mot klimatförändringarnas konsekvenser.« (party programme ↗)“strengthens resilience against the consequences of climate change.”
- robust society for crises»Vi vill se ett robust samhälle som är byggt för att klara olika sort« (party programme ↗)“We want to see a robust society that is built to handle different types”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The election manifesto commits to strengthening preparedness against extreme weather and continuing major investments so that municipalities can adapt locally to climate change.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto commits to strengthening preparedness against extreme weather and continuing major investments so that municipalities can adapt locally to climate change. The counter-proposal's demand to climate-proof the protection of church buildings and furnishings as part of broader preparedness is an application of that explicit commitment. The plan also points out that the consequences of climate change are already visible in Sweden and wishes to strengthen the civil defence. The plan therefore supports the counter-proposal.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet åtar sig att stärka beredskapen mot extremväder och att fortsätta de stora investeringarna så att kommunerna kan klimatanpassa lokalt. Motförslagets krav på att klimatanpassa skyddet av kyrkobyggnader och inventarier som en del av en bredare beredskap är en tillämpning av det åtagandet. Planen pekar också på att klimatförändringarnas konsekvenser redan syns i Sverige och vill rusta upp det civila försvaret. Planen talar därför för motförslaget.
- support for local climate adaptationdecisive»Vi vill fortsätta de stora investeringarna så att kommunerna kan klimatanpassa lokalt.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We wish to continue major investments so that municipalities can adapt locally to climate change.”
- preparedness against extreme weather»Stärk beredskapen mot extremväder.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Strengthen preparedness against extreme weather.”
- climate risks in Sweden»Konsekvenserna av klimatförändringarna syns alltmer här i Sverige.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The consequences of climate change are increasingly visible here in Sweden.”
- strengthened civil preparedness»Rusta upp det civila försvaret.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Strengthen the civil defence.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The election manifesto wants to invest in climate adaptation to meet the effects of climate change, and the party programme requires that climate adaptation work is coordinated and funded seriously while culturally valuable buildings and environments shall be preserved and cared for for the future.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto wants to invest in climate adaptation to meet the effects of climate change, and the party programme requires that climate adaptation work is coordinated and funded seriously while culturally valuable buildings and environments shall be preserved and cared for for the future. That climate-adapting the protection of church cultural heritage follows directly from these two commitments.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet vill investera i klimatanpassning för att möta klimatförändringarnas effekter, och partiprogrammet kräver att klimatanpassningsarbetet samordnas och resurssätts på allvar samtidigt som kulturhistoriskt värdefulla byggnader och miljöer ska bevaras och vårdas för framtiden. Att klimatanpassa skyddet av det kyrkliga kulturarvet följer direkt av dessa två åtaganden.
- investments in climate adaptationdecisive»investera i klimatanpassning för att möta effekterna av klimatförändringarna.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“invest in climate adaptation to meet the effects of climate change.”
- coordinated climate adaptation»Vi behöver samordna arbetet med klimatanpassningen och satsa resurser för att på allvar sätta igång med arbetet.« (party programme ↗)“We need to coordinate the work on climate adaptation and invest resources to seriously start the work.”
- preserve cultural heritage»Kulturarvet är vårt gemensamma arv. Kulturhistorisk värdefulla byggnader, minnesmärken och andra miljöer, såväl i städerna som på landsbygden, bör bevaras och vårdas för framtiden.« (party programme ↗)“The cultural heritage is our shared heritage. Culturally valuable buildings, monuments and other environments, both in cities and in the countryside, should be preserved and cared for for the future.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan does not address climate adaptation of church buildings, but it makes climate change the greatest environmental threat and promises to strengthen society's preparedness for crisis.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan does not address climate adaptation of church buildings, but it makes climate change the greatest environmental threat and promises to strengthen society's preparedness for crisis. The manifesto furthermore makes culture throughout the country an important starting point. To climate-adapt the protection of church cultural heritage follows from these closest lying principles.
Original (Swedish)
Planen behandlar inte klimatanpassning av kyrkobyggnader, men den gör klimatförändringarna till det största miljöhotet och lovar att rusta samhällets beredskap inför kris. Manifestet gör dessutom kultur i hela landet till en viktig utgångspunkt. Att klimatanpassa skyddet av det kyrkliga kulturarvet följer av dessa närmast liggande principer.
- climate threat as a starting pointdecisive»Klimatförändringarna är det största miljöhotet mänskligheten känner.« (party programme ↗)“Climate change is the greatest environmental threat that humanity knows.”
- strengthened societal preparedness»Vi måste rusta civilförsvaret och samhällets beredskap inför krig och kris.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We must strengthen civil defence and society's preparedness for war and crisis.”
- cultural heritage throughout the country»Att tillhandahålla kultur i hela landet är en viktig utgångspunkt för Centerpartiet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“To provide culture throughout the country is an important starting point for the Centre Party.”
The plan requires societal planning to manage the consequences of climate change and establishes that the cultural heritage in Sweden should be kept accessible for future generations.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires societal planning to manage the consequences of climate change and establishes that the cultural heritage in Sweden should be kept accessible for future generations. The stewardship idea – that we have no right to leave a poorer world to our children – carries the same conclusion. The counter-proposal's requirement that protection of ecclesiastical cultural heritage be climate-adapted follows from this, even if church buildings are not specifically mentioned.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver samhällsplanering för att klara klimatförändringarnas följder och slår fast att kulturarvet i Sverige ska hållas tillgängligt för kommande generationer. Förvaltarskapstanken – att vi inte har rätt att lämna över en fattigare värld till våra barn – bär samma slutsats. Motförslagets krav på att skyddet av det kyrkliga kulturarvet klimatanpassas följer av detta, även om kyrkobyggnader inte nämns särskilt.
- plan for consequences of climate changedecisive»Det behövs samhällsplanering för att klara klimatförändringarnas« (party programme ↗)“There is a need for societal planning to manage the consequences of climate change”
- cultural heritage for future generations»kulturarv som finns i Sverige är en del av mänsklighetens gemensamma kulturarv och ska hållas« (party programme ↗)“cultural heritage that exists in Sweden is part of humanity's shared cultural heritage and should be kept”
- stewardship idea»Vi har inte rätt att lämna över en värld till våra barn som är fattigare än den vi« (party programme ↗)“We have no right to leave to our children a world that is poorer than the one we”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan makes stewardship of material cultural heritage a task for cultural policy and counts culturally historic buildings and objects, while stewardship requires that action is based on the precautionary principle in the event of threat of irreversible damage.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan makes stewardship of material cultural heritage a task for cultural policy and counts culturally historic buildings and objects, while stewardship requires that action is based on the precautionary principle in the event of threat of irreversible damage. Climate adaptation of the protection of church buildings and furnishings follows directly from this. Therefore the demand is supported.
Original (Swedish)
Planen gör förvaltarskapet av det materiella kulturarvet till en uppgift för kulturpolitiken och räknar in kulturhistorisk bebyggelse och föremål, samtidigt som förvaltarskapet kräver att agerandet grundas på försiktighetsprincipen vid hot om oåterkallelig skada. Klimatanpassning av skyddet för kyrkobyggnader och inventarier följer direkt av detta. Därför stöds kravet.
- steward the cultural heritagedecisive»En god kulturpolitik måste sträva efter att ta tillvara det värdefulla kulturella arv« (party programme ↗)“A good cultural policy must strive to preserve what is valuable cultural heritage”
- material cultural heritage included»vi ser i form av till exempel kulturhistorisk bebyggelse, fornlämningar och föremål« (party programme ↗)“we see in the form of for example culturally historic buildings, archaeological remains and objects”
- the precautionary principle»agerandet grundas på försiktighetsprincipen« (party programme ↗)“action is based on the precautionary principle”
- stewardship of material values»Förvaltarskapet gäller både de egna personliga tillgångarna och de materiella värdena« (party programme ↗)“Stewardship applies to both one's own personal possessions and material values”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan does not address climate adaptation of church buildings.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan does not address climate adaptation of church buildings. The closest principles are that Sweden is shaped by a Christian cultural heritage, that faith communities' security shall be safeguarded, that humans steward nature for coming generations, and that civil defence requires long-term planning. Based on these, the plan supports the demand to adapt protection of the ecclesiastical cultural heritage to climate change.
Original (Swedish)
Planen behandlar inte klimatanpassning av kyrkobyggnader. Närmast liggande principer är att Sverige är format av ett kristet kulturarv, att trossamfundens säkerhet ska värnas, att människan förvaltar naturen åt kommande generationer och att det civila försvaret behöver långsiktig planering. Utifrån dessa stöder planen kravet på att skyddet av det kyrkliga kulturarvet klimatanpassas.
- Christian cultural heritagedecisive»Sverige är format av ett kristet socialt och kulturellt arv som« (party programme ↗)“Sweden is shaped by a Christian social and cultural heritage that”
- long-term preparedness planning»Säkra en långsiktig planering för det civila försvaret« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Ensure long-term planning for civil defence”
- stewardship for the future»Människan förvaltar naturen.« (party programme ↗)“Humans steward nature.”
- protect faith communities»Slå vakt om trossamfundens säkerhet för alla ska kunna utöva sin tro utan att känna sig hotade« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Protect faith communities' security so that all can practice their faith without feeling threatened”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan counts the protection of the nation's historical heritage as a core task of the state and wants to protect, preserve, and showcase Swedish culture.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan counts the protection of the nation's historical heritage as a core task of the state and wants to protect, preserve, and showcase Swedish culture. At the same time, it wants to analyze and plan for various types of major crises. To climate-adapt the protection of church buildings, church environments, and furnishings is such a stewardship crisis preparedness measure and follows the stewardship philosophy.
Original (Swedish)
Planen räknar värnandet av nationens historiska arv till statens kärnuppgifter och vill värna, vårda och visa svensk kultur. Samtidigt vill den analysera och planera för olika typer av stora kriser. Att klimatanpassa skyddet av kyrkobyggnader, kyrkomiljöer och inventarier är en sådan förvaltande beredskapsåtgärd och följer förvaltarskapstanken.
- cultural heritage as a core state taskdecisive»upprätthållande samt värnandet av nationens historiska arv och kulturella särart.« (party programme ↗)“maintenance and protection of the nation's historical heritage and cultural distinctiveness.”
- preserve Swedish culture»Sverigedemokraterna vill värna, vårda och visa svensk kultur.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden Democrats want to protect, preserve, and showcase Swedish culture.”
- crisis planning»Analysera och planera för olika typer av stora kriser« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Analyze and plan for various types of major crises”
- stewardship philosophy»Sverigedemokratisk miljöpolitik utgår från förvaltarskapstanken och strävar efter att hitta de mest miljöeffektiva och kostnadseffektiva metoderna, som samtidigt inte skadar näringar och landsbygd.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden Democratic environmental policy is based on stewardship thinking and strives to find the most environmentally effective and cost-effective methods, which at the same time do not harm industries and rural areas.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2023/24:KrU11)
- Committee report full text (HB01KrU11)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2023/24:1487 — Kyrkoantikvarisk ersättning av Mirja Räihä m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2023/24:1892 — Sveriges kristna kulturarv av Julia Kronlid och Aron Emilsson (båda SD)
- Motion 2023/24:2686 — Utgiftsområde 17 Kultur, medier, trossamfund och fritid av Lawen Redar m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2023/24:2882 — med anledning av skr. 2023/24:109 De kulturhistoriska värdena inom Svenska kyrkan - om förvaltningen av det kyrkliga kulturarvet av Runar Filper m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2023/24:2887 — med anledning av skr. 2023/24:109 De kulturhistoriska värdena inom Svenska kyrkan - om förvaltningen av det kyrkliga kulturarvet av Catarina Deremar m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2023/24:351 — Kulturarvspolitik av Runar Filper m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2023/24:357 — Trossamfundsfrågor av Alexander Christiansson m.fl. (SD)
- Regeringens skrivelse 2023/24:109 — De kulturhistoriska värdena inom Svenska kyrkan - om förvaltningen av det kyrkliga kulturarvet
Source: The Swedish Parliament