Finland

Finland is ranked 26th in this year’s CCPI and among the overall medium-performing countries.

The country receives mixed ratings, with a medium in GHG Emissions and Climate Policy, high in Renewable Energy, and very low in Energy Use.

In Finland’s Climate Act, the country targets net zero in 2035. While the country has a high share of renewable energy, it also has relatively high energy use.

Renewables are the cheapest energy source

The CCPI country experts report that Finland is far from being on track to meet its 2035 target. The country relies heavily on forests as carbon sinks, but these forests’ numbers have been declining. Last year, the Finnish Climate Change Panel warned that Finland would not meet its climate commitments without additional measures, but the experts report that no substantial policies have been adopted.

The new government is pushing for much less ambitious climate policy, especially regarding forest carbon sinks, so it seems very unlikely that Finland will meet its EU commitments regarding these sinks. Overall, the experts report a large discrepancy between Finland’s stated commitments and its actions.

Renewable energy comprises a substantial part of Finland´s total primary energy supply (TPES) and it’s the cheapest energy source. Wind and solar are being accelerated and emissions from the energy sector are falling. Biomass plays an important role in Finland, mainly used for domestic heat production. And while the EU interprets biomass as carbon-neutral, biomass has negatively impacted Finland’s forest carbon sinks.

Finland as constructive actor in international climate diplomacy

At the international level, Finland is an active and constructive actor in climate diplomacy. Finland initiated the finance ministers’ climate pricing initiative. The country does object to the EU’s nature restoration directive, though.

The experts demand that Finland strengthen land, land-use change, and forestry (LULUCF) carbon sinks and reduce emissions in the transport and agriculture sectors.

It is important to note that the declined performance of Finland is influenced by new and updated data on the LULUCF sector.

Key Outcomes

Finland is ranked 26th in this year’s CCPI and among the overall medium-performing countries
The new government is pushing for much less ambitious climate policy, especially regarding forest carbon sinks
Key demands: strengthen land, land-use change, and forestry carbon sinks and reduce emissions in the transport and agriculture sectors