On Wednesday, the European Commission unveiled a major package of legislative proposals on climate that would reduce the EU’s net emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030. The Fit for 55 package contains 13 legislative proposals, eight of which would strengthen existing legislative instruments and five that are completely new regulations.

The Ministry of the Environment sent the proposal for the new Climate Change Act out for comments on 2 July. The aim of the reform is to make sure that Finland will achieve climate neutrality by 2035, in line with the target set in the Programme of Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Government. The deadline for comments is 6 September.

The Government submitted its Annual Climate Report to Parliament on Wednesday 23 June. According to the report, Finland's emissions declined in the exceptional year, but achieving carbon neutrality by 2035 will require more and faster action also after the pandemic.

With the declaration signed in Portugal on 21 June 2021, the EU Member States make the commitment to take determined action to eradicate homelessness by 2030.

Achieving a circular economy requires coherent guidance that addresses problem areas and takes into account the overall picture. Products must be more environmentally friendly, more repairable and longer-lasting than at present. In order to achieve this objective, we need national and international guidance, especially at the European Union level. The research project examined policy instruments in four key areas of product policy. There is a great deal of work for legislators in all four areas, according to the report published on 15 June.

On May 27th 2021 the Government adopted a resolution on the Helmi habitats programme that extends until 2030. The programme includes 40 actions for accelerating the restoration, management and protection of different habitats. The Helmi programme is a significant package of measures for halting biodiversity loss in Finland.

During the past two years the Sustainable City programme, coordinated by the Ministry of the Environment, has proven an important instrument in creating cooperation and boosting practical changes towards sustainability. Now an interim evaluation has been conducted to help develop the programme, that will run until 2023, so that it will serve the needs of towns and cities of different sizes even better. In future stronger focus will be placed on impact and communication.

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.