Project to reform Climate Change Act begins by listening to citizens
The reform of the Climate Change Act, as detailed in the Government Programme, has now begun. The first phase of the reform is hearing citizens’ views on what the new Climate Change Act should look like. The goal of the reform is to strengthen the Act and ensure that Finland can be carbon neutral by 2035.
“Developing a more ambitious Climate Change Act is an important step towards achieving carbon neutrality. It is very important that we carry out this reform together. This way, we can create the best Act possible and make sure no one gets left behind on the road to a carbon-neutral Finland,” says Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Krista Mikkonen.
In line with the Government Programme, the steering power of the Climate Change Act will be reinforced. We will amend the Act in a way that will enable us to achieve our target of carbon neutrality by 2035. We will update our target for 2050 and add emissions reduction targets for 2030 and 2040. We will also include the land use sector in the Act and set a target for strengthening carbon sinks.
On Monday 11 November, a survey was opened to explore citizens’ views on the reform of the Climate Change Act. The survey is available in six languages: Finnish, Swedish, English, North Saami, Inari Saami and Skolt Saami.
In addition to the survey, workshops for different groups will be held and opinions will be collected informally on the Ministry’s social media channels. There will also be a public hearing on 15 January 2020 at the Helsinki Central Library Oodi.
“I hope that young people in particular will share their views on what the new Climate Change Act should look like. The youth climate movement has put welcome pressure on climate policy, and this is a concrete way to influence climate policy in Finland,” the Minister says.
The results of the survey and workshops will provide a basis when the guidelines for the Climate Change Act in set in February-March. The Government’s proposal for a revised Climate Change Act is due to be completed in early 2021.
The current Climate Change Act entered into force in 2015. It is a framework act, which means that it only imposes obligations on the authorities. The Act sets an emissions reduction target for 2050 and lays down a climate policy planning system for Finland consisting of three different plans: a medium-term plan for 2030, a long-term plan for 2050 and an adaptation plan.
Inquiries:Requests for interviews with the Minister: Riikka Yliluoma, Special Adviser to the Minister, tel. +358 50 414 1682, [email protected]
Climate Change Act: Elina Vaara, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 50 572 3942, [email protected]