Russia's war of aggression has made energy and climate policy an even more integral part of foreign and security policy. Finland should continue to take decisive climate action and accelerate the green transition in the midst of the energy crisis, said Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Maria Ohisalo at an event on climate action, energy solutions and Finland’s comprehensive security.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of the Environment will appoint a rapporteur to investigate how to increase wind power construction in eastern Finland. Lieutenant General (ret.) Arto Räty will serve as rapporteur.

At its meeting on Thursday, the Climate Policy Roundtable stressed that the short-term measures to find solutions to the energy crisis must not override the long-term actions to mitigate climate change. The measures raised in the discussion included increasing the production of renewable energy, implementing the hydrogen strategy, saving energy, measures taken within the EU, and supporting those who are in a vulnerable position. The meeting was chaired by Maria Ohisalo, Vice-Chair of the Climate Policy Roundtable.

On Thursday 15 September, the Government appointed a group composed of the parties in Parliament to monitor the implementation of the national climate policy. The aim is to make sure that the climate neutrality target will be reached and the measures to be taken will be fair and just. The group will also discuss the climate policy outlines to be needed in the future. Each party in Parliament has a representative in the monitoring group.

On Thursday 15 September, the Government approved the proposals for the Building Act, the Act Amending the Land Use and Building Act and the Act on the Built Environment Information System. The acts are to enter into force on 1 January 2024.

The Climate Policy Roundtable will hold its 17th meeting on Thursday 15 September. The main topics are solutions to energy crisis and green transition. The Roundtable is chaired by Prime Minister Sanna Marin.

The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and accelerating climate change have led to a situation in Finland and globally where the future seems rather uncertain. In the midst of uncertainty, decision-making is difficult. Finland will hold parliamentary elections in spring 2023, and the new Government Programme will outline policies for the next few years.

The Government has adopted a government proposal to boost investments in the green transition*. The aim is to reduce Finland’s dependence on fossil energy, increase energy self-sufficiency and move towards an ecologically more sustainable economy. The proposal would prioritise the permit applications concerning investment projects that are important for the green transition in the permit procedures under the Environmental Protection Act and Water Act at the Regional State Administrative Agencies in 2023–2026**.

Landscapes are an essential part of our well-being and the quality and diversity of our living environment. Thursday 20 October is International Landscape Day. The annually celebrated Landscape Day encourages everyone to participate in observing landscapes and in the decision-making concerning them. Take part in the programme to celebrate Landscape Day or create your own way to celebrate.

The Government has approved Finland’s participation in the EUR 700 million InvestEU guarantee scheme for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), households and housing companies. The programme promotes investments in clean technology solutions. Finland will invest EUR 100 million in the European Investment Fund’s (EIF) Sustainability Guarantee product, which is a guarantee programme delivered through financial institutions. It is estimated that the leverage effect of Finland’s contribution is seven times higher.