Significant legislative reforms to boost green transition and investments

The Government’s legislative reforms and the one-stop service at the Finnish Supervisory Agency, which will begin operating on 1 January 2026, will promote economic growth that is based on the cleanest solutions and will strengthen our comprehensive security. “The Government’s historic reforms concerning the permit procedures enter into force at the right moment. In different parts of Finland there are green transition investment plans totalling as much as EUR 303 billion, and now it would be highly important to start putting them into practice. Smooth permit procedures are a major competitive advantage in terms of attracting investments to Finland,” Minister of Climate and the Environment Sari Multala says.

According to the Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government, the permit procedures for investments will be streamlined and their predictability improved as a key competitive advantage for Finland. The legislative reforms will enter into force on 1 January 2026.

One-stop service for environmental matters

The Finnish Supervisory Agency will process permit applications related to the environment together and at the same time. EIA procedures and Natura assessments can also be managed more smoothly as part of the permit procedure. The customer and the authority will identify the critical questions related to the project and discuss these together as early as possible. A single national permitting and supervisory authority also harmonises decision-making and ensures an equal treatment for customers. 

An estimated timetable will be given for processing the application and a binding time limit has been set for certain types of permit applications. Until the end of 2030, green transition projects will be prioritised in all stages of the permit procedure.

Boost to green transition projects that strengthen Finland’s comprehensive security

“With the green transition projects, Finland will phase out fossil fuels. Especially in this geopolitical situation, the transition that will also strengthen our self-sufficiency and security of supply is highly important. The promotion of domestic solutions and reduction of the dependence on imported energy from fossil sources supports our preparedness,” Minister Multala says. 

The Government has promoted the green transition by streamlining the permit procedures for renewable energy production plants. Binding time limits have been set for their processing. Based on proposals by municipalities, the Finnish Supervisory Agency may designate areas for faster development of renewable energy. In these areas the time limits for permit procedures are shorter and, subject to certain conditions, the projects may be exempted from the EIA procedure and Natura assessments. 
 
The permit procedures for projects concerning net-zero technologies and critical raw materials have also been streamlined. The Finnish Supervisory Agency will serve as the point of contact for the projects, ensure the smooth progress of the permit procedures and monitor the compliance with the time limits set for them. Permit applications of strategic projects concerning critical raw materials and strategic net-zero projects will be prioritised in the permit procedure and the appeals related to these will be processed as urgent. 

There are certain changes to the EIA procedure as well. The procedure will be more clearly targeted to significant environmental impacts, and joint consultations for the EIA procedure and permit applications will be used more widely.

The placement permit under the reformed Construction Act will facilitate the placement of clean energy investments. The placement permits will allow construction related to clean transition industrial projects without a local detailed plan or master plan. 

Regulation concerning environmental objectives in water resources management has been clarified and streamlined by incorporating the provisions under the current legal situation into the legislation and by making it possible to process the derogations to be granted due to the project in connection with the permit matter. Subject to certain conditions, projects may apply for derogations from the environmental objectives in water resources management, i.e. the target concerning a good status of waters. 

Inquiries

Johanna Korpi 
Director of Legal Affairs 
tel. +358 295 250 278 
[email protected]