News, 22.4.2021

Finland aims to become carbon-neutral by 2035 as the first advanced economy in the world

Protecting nature and tackling the existential threat of climate change is a top priority for Finland. Finland aims to become carbon-neutral already by 2035, as the first advanced economy in the world.

A hiker in a forest, looking at the lake in front of her.
Photo: Pasi Markkanen

Finland is the most forested country in Europe with 73% of our land area covered by forests. They form a massive carbon sink, a major asset in reaching our climate target. Power generation in Finland is already 85% emissions-free with a mix of nuclear and renewables. The transport sector accounts for one fifth of all our emissions and we will halve these emissions by 2030 and target zero-emissions by 2045.

In Finland, policy-makers, citizens and businesses fight climate change hand in hand. Last year, the public and private sector developed together sectoral low-carbon roadmaps for energy-intensive and other industries, including the chemical, technology, forest and energy industry. We have a Climate Change Panel(Link to another website.), which brings science and decision-makers together to promote evidence-based climate policy. Protection of the fragile Arctic environment and raising awareness of the effects of climate change in the Arctic is of special importance for Finland.  Read more about Finland’s climate targets and actions here(Link to another website.).

Climate action is a key priority in the bilateral relations between Finland and the United States. Here are some examples of what we are doing together:

  • Leading up to President Biden’s Leaders Summit on Climate, leaders from Finland take part in various events promoting ambitious climate action. On April 15, the Nordic Embassies to the United States partnered with World Resources Institute to host The Race to a Fossil Fuel-Free Transportation Sector event,(Link to another website.) attended by Finland’s Minister for Transport and Communications, Mr. Timo Harakka. Minister Harakka highlighted Finland’s targets for reducing emissions from transportation, including promotion of sustainable fuels, electrification and clean technologies. He paid a special emphasis on the importance of ensuring a just transition.
  • Finland's Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Ms. Krista Mikkonen will participate(Link to another website.) in a ministerial roundtable discussion hosted by Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, Mr. John Kerry, on Friday April 23. This meeting is held alongside the Leaders Summit on Climate. In the meeting, ministers will exchange information on measures taken in their countries to strengthen climate ambition.

  • Minister Mikkonen also spoke in the virtual launch event(Link to another website.) for the 50x30 Coalition on April 21.  The initiative aims to focus on measures that help keep global warming to the 1,5 degrees target highlighted in the Special Report by IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), namely reducing global emissions by 50% already by 2030.

  • The US joined the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action during a Ministerial-Level Meeting on April 6. The meeting was co-chaired by Finland’s Minister of Finance, Mr. Matti Vanhanen. Finland is a co-founder of the Coalition(Link to another website.), which now has 60 member countries globally.

  • The Embassy of Finland and Finland’s Consulate General in New York will host a virtual event Innovative Wood: Wood Replacing Fossil-based Materials from Medicine to Fashion on April 28. Keynote speakers include U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree from Maine and Dr. Cynthia West, Director of the US National Forest Products Laboratory. The networking event brings together innovators, companies and research organizations from Finland and the US. The speakers will discuss the potential of sustainable bio based materials in tackling climate change, the value of international partnerships and innovative ways Finnish and US businesses and research organizations use wood. The event will also feature videos showcased at this year’s SXSW (South by Southwest) Festival. Register here(Link to another website.).