The Citizens’ Jury convened to assess climate actions has discussed the citizens’ views and development proposals concerning the emission reduction measures. The Jury’s statement is a considered opinion of the people on how the measures could be implemented in a way that is as effective as possible while treating different people in a fair and just manner.

Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Krista Mikkonen will participate in the ministerial discussions to be held in connection with the US Climate Summit on Friday 23 April. The United States has invited 40 world leaders to a Leaders’ Climate Summit on 22–23 April.

The EU Member States, European Parliament and Commission reached a provisional agreement on the European Climate Law early on Wednesday 21 April. With this law, the objective of a climate-neutral EU by 2050 is written into binding legislation. The Climate Law also includes EU’s climate target of  at least 55% by 2030.

Instructions have now been created for the construction industry for assessing the risk of COVID-19 infections. According to the instructions, the main contractor of the construction site is responsible for having a general risk assessment made. Everyone working at the construction site must comply with the assessment-based measures. In addition, other employers involved in the construction site assess the risks of their operations.

By the resolution on promoting a circular economy adopted today, on 7 April, the Finnish Government committed to reducing the consumption of unrenewable natural resources. The resolution also restricts the use of renewable natural resources in Finland: the total consumption of domestic primary raw materials in 2035 will not exceed the level in 2015*. The resolution is based on a vision that in 2035 the Finnish economy will be based on a carbon-neutral circular economy society.

On Thursday 25 March, the Government of Finland received an international Catalyst 2030 Award for sustainable development. The award was presented to the Finnish National Commission on Sustainable Development, which is chaired by the Prime Minister. Finland was recognised for its participatory approach to implementing the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In its statement, the prize jury placed particular emphasis on Finland’s international cooperation in promoting sustainable consumption and production.

During this spring, a Citizens’ Jury on Climate Actions will be convened to find out the people’s views and proposals for solutions concerning Finland’s emission reduction measures. A total of 8,000 Finns will receive an invitation letter to participate in the Citizens’ Jury, which is the first nation-wide Jury on climate issues in Finland. Of those invited, a maximum of 50 persons will be selected to the Jury.

The Nordic countries have intensified co-operation in recent years to curb climate emissions from the built environment. This partnership focuses particularly on working to ensure corresponding principles for assessing and guiding the climate impact of construction in these countries.

A new service opened today provides impartial data on the climate impacts of construction products used in Finland, such as carbon footprint and handprint, material efficiency and recyclability. This information harmonises the calculation of greenhouse gas emissions throughout the life cycle of buildings, facilitating low-carbon building design. The service is free of charge and open to everyone.

The Ministry of the Environment organised an online survey to gather people’s views and opinions on how emissions can be reduced effectively and fairly. The number of responses that came in during the four weeks the survey was open was very high, more than 18,000. The responses will be used for the preparation of the Medium-Term Climate Change Policy Plan.