A better environment for future generations

The revised strategy of the Ministry of the Environment stretches to 2035. In future, the Ministry of the Environment will focus even more strongly on three themes: comprehensive solutions to the ecological sustainability crisis, leading the green transition and living environments that support wellbeing. The strategy evolves over time. Measures and concrete paths of actions that take us towards the objectives are updated on an annual basis.

Impact Objectives

1. Carbon-negative Finland has stopped biodiversity loss and pollution                  

• The interdependencies between climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution are identified and resolved together. 
• Carbon neutrality target is achieved, Finland is carbon-negative. 
• No harmful emissions will be carried to the environment, soil, air and water systems. Environmental risks are under control. 
• The development of communities prevents biodiversity loss and curbs climate change. 

2. The green transition is the foundation for growth 

• Green transition solutions are the driving force of the Finnish economy. 
• The green transition strengthens natural capital and the security of supply. 
• The circular economy has become mainstreamed in the economy, and the use of natural resources does not exceed planetary boundaries. 
• The productivity of the real estate and construction sector has improved, buildings have a low-carbon lifecycle with good material efficiency.  

3. Living environments and new solutions make daily life run smoother in all life situations 

• Municipalities, cities and regions create the prerequisites for a sustainable lifestyle. 
• There is enough housing available for different population groups and these meet the residents’ needs. 
• The built environment supports people’s wellbeing, relationship with nature and smooth everyday life. 
• Making sustainable choices is easy, attractive and involve financial incentives.  

4. Societal decision-making enables the green transition 

• Legislation and administrative structures support sustainable change 
• Private and public sector cooperation guides capital and green transition measures 
• Environmental information and digitalisation are utilised effectively in decision-making – information will guide the green transition and consumer choices. 
• Finland exerts influence in an anticipatory and productive manner in the EU and internationally.
• The just transition is prepared in interaction with civil society and stakeholders. 

5. We are a responsible and valued workplace 

• Our operating culture is solution-oriented and cooperative, open and agile. 
• Our personnel are healthy, competent and motivated. 
• A coaching management approach ensures that common goals are achieved. 

Values – Courage, expertise and responsibility

The values guiding the operations of the Ministry of the Environment:

Openly transparent

• we are transparent in all our work and partnerships
• our open preparation processes encourage others to express their views, and we make even the most difficult decisions openly and with due reasoning

Esteemed expert

• we are renowned and recognised experts
• we support each other’s competence building by sharing our expertise and further enhancing our skills

Responsible maker of the future

• the impacts of our decisions stretch far into the future
• we do not seek rapid gains at the cost of the future

Materials

• Ministry of the Environment’s Strategy
• Paths of action of the strategy (pdf)
• The strategy in brief (pdf)