Organisation and management of the Ministry of the Environment

At the Ministry of the Environment matters are prepared by the Department of the Natural Environment, Department of the Built Environment and Environmental Protection Department, as well as by the support functions for Steering and International Cooperation and for Communications.

The ministry is headed by the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, with the Permanent Secretary as the highest public official.

Permanent Secretary

The Permanent Secretary holds the highest position within the ministry. The Permanent Secretary assists the ministers in directing, developing and supervising the activities of the ministry and its administrative branch.

The Permanent Secretary

directs the ministry's activities and strategic planning
coordinates the implementation of the ministry's strategy
is responsible for internal control
directs performance guidance within the administrative sector.

Juhani Damski
Permanent Secretary
+358295250445
[email protected]

Secretary

Anna-Maija Kaikkonen
+358295 250 358
[email protected]

Departments and support functions of the Ministry of the Environment

The ministry’s departments are headed by Directors General. The support functions are headed by the Director General for Administration and International Affairs and the Director of Communications and Information Management.

Department of the Natural Environment

The Department of the Natural Environment is responsible for

nature conservation
landscape management
recreational use of natural areas
protection of surface water and groundwater
ecological sustainability and environmental protection in agriculture and forestry, extraction of earth materials, and other use of rural areas and natural resources
environmental impact assessments
regional cooperation in environmental protection projects.

Tarja Haaranen
Director General
+358295250282
[email protected]

Secretary

Krista Thauvon
+358295250293
[email protected]

Department of the Built Environment

The Department of the Built Environment is responsible for guidance and development of land use, housing and building, as well as matters concerning

regional and urban structure
land use planning
land policy
community infrastructure
quality, functionality and efficiency of building
quality of living environment and housing
maintenance of housing stock
renovation building
management of cultural environments
protection of buildings
building supervision
healthiness and safety of communities and buildings
noise abatement
support for the production, repair and acquisition of housing
housing costs and financing.

Teppo Lehtinen
Director General
+358295250157
[email protected]

Secretary

Melica Hellén
+358295250012
[email protected]

Environmental Protection Department

The Environmental Protection Department is responsible for matters concerning

air protection
climate change
sustainable consumption and production
waste issues
prevention of environmental harm associated with chemicals and nano- and biotechnologies
soil contamination
prevention of and compensation for environmental damage
environmental economics
environmental technology.

Leena Ylä-Mononen
Director General
+358295250023
[email protected]

Secretary

Heidi Tanskanen
+358295250290
[email protected]

Steering and International Cooperation

The support function for Steering and International Cooperation is responsible for:

administration and its development
steering of the administrative branch
operational and financial planning and steering
human resources
coordination of the ministry's multilateral cooperation, the European Union's external relations in environmental issues, and regional, Nordic and bilateral cooperation
coordination of the environmental policy of the European Union and preparation of Community legislation in cooperation with the ministry’s departments and support functions
preparation and implementation of international agreements within the ministry's field of activities in cooperation with the departments and support functions
development of information systems and information resources of the Ministry and its administrative branch and steering of their coordination in cooperation with the departments and other support functions
other administrative affairs.

Ismo Tiainen
Director General, Steering and International Cooperation
+358295250294
[email protected]

Secretary

Wikström Hanna
+358295250331
[email protected]

Communications

The support function for Communications at the Ministry of the Environment is responsible for the Ministry’s external and internal communication activities, in cooperation with the departments and units. The responsibilities also include cooperation in communication activities within the administrative branch and with other Government ministries.

Jussi Salmi
Director of Communications
+358295250263
[email protected]

Secretary

Viivi Myllylä
+358295250186
[email protected]

Management support

Management support works directly under the Permanent Secretary.

Research Director

The Research Director is responsible for coordinating the ministry’s research and development activities in cooperation with the Permanent Secretary, departments and support functions. The Research Director also assists the ministry’s management in evaluating the needs for research and analyses, monitoring of projects, and impact assessments.

Tanja Suni
Research Director
+358295250013
[email protected]

Director of Legislative Affairs

The Director of Legislative Affairs is responsible for coordinating the preparation, development and implementation of legislation at the Ministry of the Environment in cooperation with the Permanent Secretary and the ministry's departments and units. The Director of Legislative Affairs assists the management in evaluating the need for law drafting and in the follow-up and impact assessment of legislative projects, as well as participates in major legislative projects where considered necessary and sees to the ministry’s joint coordination tasks.

Johanna Korpi
Director of Legislation
+358295250278
[email protected]

Director for Development

The Director for Development is responsible for monitoring and coordinating the implementation of the Government Programme in cooperation with the Permanent Secretary and the ministry’s departments and units. The Director for Development assists the ministry’s management in strategic planning, guidance and development and in monitoring the implementation of the strategy, as well as participates in the ministry’s key development projects where considered necessary and sees to the ministry’s joint coordination tasks.

Juho Korpi
Director for Development
+358295250136
[email protected]