Sweden biodiversity report shows rising number of endangered species

A new report on Swedish biodiversity indicates a significant increase in endangered species, with approximately 10 percent of the country's animals, plants, and fungi—over 2,000 species—now at risk of disappearance.

Marine life is particularly affected. The 2025 Red List shows that fish populations, including cod and eel, have declined by over 80 percent in the last three decades. Cod has been moved up two threat categories due to this critical decline. Additionally, concerns regarding dolphin welfare in captivity have surfaced; at Kolmården, shows have been paused to increase health monitoring following reports of stress and self-harming behaviors in captive dolphins.

Infrastructure and energy projects also pose risks to biodiversity. In the Biskopshagen nature reserve, proposed projects by Vattenfall could impact highly biodiverse areas. While habitat compensation plans are being discussed, the practical implementation to minimize ecological damage remains uncertain.