Citizens’ panel on nature restoration launched – citizens’ views to be considered as part of preparing the national restoration plan

A citizens’ panel on improving the state of nature will convene in May and June to contribute to the preparation of Finland’s national restoration plan. The panel will explore ways to enhance biodiversity, with a particular focus on fairness.

Finland is currently preparing a national restoration plan, which is based on the European Union’s Nature Restoration Regulation – the most significant piece of EU-level environmental legislation in recent years.

The regulation aims to halt biodiversity loss, support climate change mitigation and adaptation, and strengthen food security and citizens’ wellbeing. The purpose of the panel is to promote civic participation and ensure that citizens’ voices are reflected in the national implementation of the EU regulation.

“Natural capital is a core component of our overall security. Its degradation affects the functioning of society, the economy and the opportunities available to future generations. We need effective measures and the commitment of the whole of society to improve the state of nature. The citizens’ panel is an excellent way to bring forth citizens’ views, values and proposals – especially now with the national restoration plan being developed,” says Minister of Climate and the Environment Sari Multala.

Citizens’ panel discussions highlight fairness

The Nature Restoration Regulation seeks to improve the state of nature in various environments – both in and outside protected areas. Achieving its goals requires a wide range of measures to strengthen the value of nature.

Issues related to fairness are central to the implementation: the benefits and costs of nature restoration may not be distributed equally. The panel will consider how restoration measures can be implemented fairly in terms of different population groups, industries and regions, with special attention to vulnerable groups. The Sámi people are one such group, whose livelihoods and culture are closely tied to the state of nature. Another key group includes children and young people, who will experience the long-term consequences of environmental change. 

The citizens’ panel on nature restoration will:

• Discuss measures that citizens consider important for improving the state of nature
• Explore how biodiversity can be strengthened effectively and fairly
• Develop a shared public perspective on the implementation of the Nature Restoration Regulation in Finland

The panel is partly funded by the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra. The results will be published in the autumn of 2025 and will feed into the preparation of the national restoration plan.

Finland will implement the Nature Restoration Regulation in phases. The current phase involves drafting the national restoration plan, which will guide the regulation’s implementation and define the means to achieve its goals. The draft plan must be completed by August 2026, and the final version will be submitted to the EU in August 2027.

In Finland, one in nine species and one in two habitat types are estimated to be threatened. Restoration efforts are required in forests, mires, fields, fells, urban areas and waterbodies – including areas that remain in commercial use. The national plan is being developed in an open collaboration with citizens and stakeholders. An open-access webinar will be held on 5 June.

Inquiries

Outi Ala-Honkola
Senior Specialist
tel. +358 295 250 431
[email protected]