EU countries agree on 90 per cent emission reduction target by 2040
Minister Multala: It is most important that we were able to reach an agreement, even if many of the details remained to be decided later.
Working group to explore ways to coordinate nature restoration and national defence
A working group of the Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Defence has been appointed to explore how nature restoration and other ways to make use of natural barriers can support national defence and border security especially in eastern Finland.
Minister Multala: Preserving biodiversity supports Europe’s competitiveness and stability of societies - Finland at forefront in developing new funding solutions
Finland’s circular economy solutions and active role in developing nature funding for companies were strongly highlighted at the European Business & Nature Summit 2025 in Helsinki. In connection with the event, Minister Multala met Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall and Eric Mamer, Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment.
EU environment and climate ministers meet in Luxembourg - EU positions for UN Climate Change Conference COP30 on agenda
The EU environment ministers will meet in Luxembourg on Tuesday 21 October. The ministers are expected to adopt Council conclusions on the preparations for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) and on the Water Resilience Strategy. The ministers will also discuss the European Ocean Pact proposed by the European Commission. Minister of Climate and the Environment Sari Multala will represent Finland at the meeting.
State of nature is still poor in Europe – competitiveness and security would also benefit from environmental and climate actions
Biodiversity is declining in Europe. Emissions have been reduced, but the pace is not fast enough. The recent report of the European Environment Agency EEA explores the state of the environment in Europe, including Finland’s challenges and success stories. The report stresses that, in the end, all human activities depend on nature.
UN Secretary-General hosts Climate Summit to boost Nationally Determined Contributions
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will host a Climate Summit in New York on 24 September as part of the UN General Assembly week. The aim of the event is to boost climate work in individual countries. Minister of Climate and the Environment Sari Multala will represent Finland at the summit.
EU climate and environment ministers seek common understanding of how EU will update its Nationally Determined Contribution
The EU Environment Council will convene at an extraordinary meeting in Brussels on 18 September. The aim is to agree on the letter of intent to be submitted to the Secretariat of the UN Convention on Climate Change. The letter would concern the EU’s emission reduction commitment, i.e. the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). The ministers will also discuss the EU’s 2040 climate target and the proposal to amend the European Climate Law. Minister of Climate and the Environment Sari Multala will represent Finland at the meeting.
Finland and Denmark agree on framework for CO2 transport and storage
On 5 September, the Minister of Climate and the Environment Sari Multala and the Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities Lars Aagaard signed a Memorandum of Understanding enabling companies to transport and store CO2 in Denmark.
Government decided Finland’s position on European Commission’s proposal for climate target by 2040
The European Commission gave its proposal concerning amendments to the European Climate Law in July 2025. On 4 September 2025, the Finnish Government submitted a Union communication to Parliament where it states its opinion on the Commission’s proposal.
Finland and Norway strengthen cooperation on carbon capture, transportation and storage
On 4 September, the Finnish Minister of Climate and the Environment Sari Multala and the Norwegian State Secretary Astrid Bergmål signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate cross-border transport of CO2 for permanent storage in Norway.