Press Releases
Theme year highlights the many facets of our built heritage
24.3.2025 15.24

Built heritage is often considered to refer only to old and monumental buildings. However, new built heritage is being created all the time. In Finland, the European Heritage Days collect information on the kind of built environment that is relevant at the moment and showcase unique sites across Finland.
Climate Barometer and Nature Barometer 2025
Awareness of progress of biodiversity loss has increased, climate solutions seen as opportunity for Finland
17.3.2025 6.29

The impacts of both climate change and biodiversity loss can be seen in the daily lives of most Finns. This is the conclusion to be made from the answers to the 2025 Climate and Nature Barometers. In municipal policy green investments are identified as sources of vitality, but opinions diverge with respect to their environmental impacts. Climate solutions are considered to boost Finland’s competitiveness.
Opinions requested on proposals for Social Climate Fund measures in Finland
13.3.2025 10.03
The EU’s Social Climate Fund was created to address the social and financial challenges caused by the expansion of emissions trading. Opinions on the proposal for measures to use the Fund in Finland are now requested at the Ota kantaa online service. The deadline for submitting opinions is 26 March.
Voluntary forest protection under METSO Programme reached its target ahead of time - next period starting in 2026 prepared
10.3.2025 14.01

In 2024, about 3,200 hectares of forest habitats were protected under the Forest Biodiversity Programme for Southern Finland METSO. Last year Finnish forest owners protected about 2,900 hectares of forest on a permanent basis and concluded ten-year environmental aid contracts that covered about 260 hectares. About 20 hectares of forest was protected for 20 years and nature managements works were carried out on about 200 hectares. The process is under way to prepare the next period of the METSO Programme and new targets for it.
Centre for State-Subsidised Housing Construction starts operating on 1 March – Interim Director appointed
28.2.2025 12.30

The operations of the Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland Ara as an independent agency will end. Its tasks will be transferred to the Centre for State-Subsidised Housing Construction established in connection with the Ministry of the Environment, which starts operating on 1 March.
UN Biodiversity Conference agrees on steps towards more effective financing – “Victory of multilateral cooperation”
28.2.2025 0.38

The resumed session of the UN Biodiversity Conference in Rome reached an understanding on developing the financial architecture for biodiversity and on the monitoring and common review of biodiversity work.
Monitoring, evaluation and finance on agenda at resumed session of UN Biodiversity Conference
19.2.2025 10.10

The parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity will convene in Rome, Italy on 25–27 February 2025. The COP16.2 session will continue the negotiations on items that remained open in Cali, Colombia in November. The aim is to reach an agreement on the monitoring, evaluation and financing of the global biodiversity targets. Finland’s delegation will be led by Minister of Climate and the Environment Sari Multala.
Final evaluation: METSO Programme had positive impact on forest biodiversity – next programme period being prepared
5.2.2025 9.01

The Forest Biodiversity Programme for Southern Finland METSO (2008–2025) has had a positive impact on forest biodiversity. This is the conclusion of the independent final evaluation of the programme. A working group of the Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is preparing the next period of the programme that will start in 2026.
Ministry of the Environment requests comments on the decree concerning guideline values of protected animals and plants
16.1.2025 9.50

The Ministry of the Environment requests comments on the draft decree of the Ministry of the Environment that would lay down provision on the monetary values of animals and plants protected under the Nature Conservation Act. The updates would lead to significant changes in the value of certain animal species. The value of freshwater pearl mussel, for example, would increase 2.5-fold. This would be the first time that values would be set for plant species as well. The deadline for comments is 28 February 2025.
Strong visibility for the Finnish business sector at the UN COP30 Climate Change Conference
19.12.2024 15.22
Finland is preparing a country pavilion for the next UN Climate Change Conference to be held in Belém, Brazil, from 10 to 21 November 2025. The Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs support the preparation of the pavilion in cooperation with companies, municipalities, universities and non-governmental organisations.
News
Outcomes of citizens’ assembly feed into topical climate plans
Type:News item
Publication date:4.3.2025 12.13
New OSCE Special Representative Kerstin Stendahl: Climate security is part of crisis resilience
Type:News item
Publication date:22.1.2025 9.38
Water4All: Funding available for research projects related to water and circular economy
Type:News item
Publication date:23.9.2024 9.21
Guidelines adopted for application of Do No Significant Harm principle
Type:News item
Publication date:4.7.2024 7.57
Project results: There are options other than demolition – we just need to find them
Type:News item
Publication date:24.4.2024 16.18
Finland launches the 2024 European Heritage Days with a social media campaign – take part and share your favourite destinations
Type:News item
Publication date:15.2.2024 11.35
Companies commit to reducing use of single-use plastic portion packs
Type:News item
Publication date:16.1.2024 14.30
Lake landscape on frosty morning wins Landscape Day photo contest
Type:News item
Publication date:10.11.2023 8.12
Sámi Climate Council started its work
Type:News item
Publication date:17.10.2023 13.23
A new playbook gives companies information on how to accelerate the circular economy
Type:News item
Publication date:11.5.2023 9.05
Green deal scenarios envisage a new circular economy for Finland
Type:News item
Publication date:8.5.2023 16.30
Finland shows the way in carbon sequestration and soil research – topical themes in EU
Type:News item
Publication date:27.4.2023 13.45
Members sought for Sámi Climate Council
Type:News item
Publication date:21.4.2023 8.37
Threat and opportunity - cultural environments in changing climate
Type:News item
Publication date:13.2.2023 7.48
Speech of Minister Maria Ohisalo at the Convention on Biological Diversity, 15th Conference of the Parties, High Level Segment in Montreal, 16.12.2022
Type:News item
Publication date:16.12.2022 17.28
Speech of Minister Maria Ohisalo at the Into the Woods event 24.11.2022
Type:News item
Publication date:24.11.2022 12.12
This year, the Lääkkeetön Itämeri campaign aims to reduce the incorrect disposal of medicines – particularly young people have much to learn
Type:News item
Publication date:22.8.2022 8.25
Candidates sought for Multidisciplinary Expert Panel of IPBES
Type:News item
Publication date:11.2.2022 13.38
Citizens’ Jury tested in Finland to support climate policy preparation
Type:News item
Publication date:26.8.2021 11.50
Returning expired medicines has increased in Finland
Type:News item
Publication date:26.8.2021 9.53