This spring will be critical in building a fossil-free Finland
“This spring will be a critical time in building a carbon-neutral Finland. The government’s proposals for a revised climate law and all three key climate change plans will be completed in the coming months, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Emma Kari said at a news conference on climate change policy.
“With the new Climate Change Act, carbon neutrality by 2035 is a binding goal for Finland that will guide our climate work in the long term throughout the government. The plans serve as practical guidelines for how we can build our climate work.
The medium-term climate change policy plan for transport, agriculture and individual heating of buildings was distributed for comment from December to January. A summary of the comments received is almost complete, and on Friday the research institutes will give their own assessment of whether the measures included in the plan are sufficient to achieve the objectives. Based on these assessments, the Ministerial Working Group on Climate and Energy Policy will finalize the plan by mid-March.
The climate and energy strategy for industry and heat production, ie the emissions trading sector, as well as the climate plan for the land use sector, which covers agriculture and forestry, will also be sent out for opinion in the coming months.
“By making the green transition more efficient, we can keep heating and mobility costs under control”
Climate change policy plans will be completed in a context of rapidly rising global energy prices.
“The government has supported the production of clean energy, energy renovations for households and the expansion of charging infrastructure for electric cars. With these measures, we are less dependent on imported fossil fuels that are sensitive to price fluctuations.
According to Minister Kari, budget support for energy renovation construction should be targeted at low-income households.
“Energy renovation can effectively prevent excessive and unexpected heating costs during the winter frosts. For many families, however, such a one-time investment would be too much. The Ministry of the Environment measures for flexible energy consumption, the minister said.
Minister Kari pointed out that it is important to always look to the future in climate change policy.
“Building a fossil-free welfare state is our most important task for decades to come. Climate work must become a new norm in society’s decision-making, as must the economy and the state’s spending line. Minister Kari said.
Source: Ministry of the Environment