Swedish Prime Minister Frederik Reinfeldt on Thursday said that the environmental technology sector in Sweden was "thriving", as the country became more focused on developing technology to protect the environment.

Reinfelt was addressing delegates at the opening of the Symbiocity seminar in Midrand, which focused on opportunities for business and technology providers to contribute to the sustainable development of cities. Trade opportunities between South African and Swedish companies were encouraged.

He added that the Symbiocity concept was not only focusing on technology and technological systems, but also took a holistic approach on urban development.

Sweden's environmental technology sector had made advancements in water treatment, alternative energy, heating and cooling, generation, distribution and emissions cleaning among others.

Reinfeldt said that climate change and reviving the economy following the global financial crisis, were the top two priorities of the Swedish Presidency, and emphasised that these two priorities could be achieved in tandem as they were not mutually exclusive.

Reinfeldt would be meeting with South African President Jacob Zuma on Thursday afternoon, and climate change and economic growth after the financial crisis would be at the top of the agenda.

Sweden was advocating that major industrialised emerging economies should take on emission reduction targets at the global climate change negotiations at Copenhagen.

"Growth is not the enemy of the environment," reiterated Reinfeldt, and he noted that over the last 18 years, Sweden has managed to reduce its emissions by 10%, while the economy has grown by nearly 50%. The country has also halved its consumption of oil since the 1970s.

Sweden has promised to cut emissions by 40% going forward, and has policy and legislation in place to ensure these targets are reached. The country's emission reduction targets were closely aligned with those taken by the European Union.

To achieve its ambitions, Sweden has implemented educational programmes, and economic instruments like carbon tax, as well as government-linked incentives

Implementing greening strategies in Sweden did not come without challenges, and Swedish Trade Minister Dr. Ewa Bjorling highlighted the need to have balance between areas of public finance, for example social security systems, job creation, and environmental improvements.

"It's a balance. But you can think more green within all areas, it does not only need to be the Department of Environmental Affairs," she said.

She further stated that one of the major challenges was instilling behavioural change among individuals, and a balance between affordability and sustainability was always considered.