Six-language survey opened to ask people about reform of Climate Change Act

The reform of the Climate Change Act has now begun, informed the Finnish Ministry of the Environment in a press release.

The first phase of the reform is hearing citizens’ views on what the new Climate Change Act should look like. The goal of the reform is to strengthen the Act and ensure that Finland can be carbon neutral by 2035. 

“Developing a more ambitious Climate Change Act is an important step towards achieving carbon neutrality. It is very important that we carry out this reform together. This way, we can create the best Act possible and make sure no one gets left behind on the road to a carbon-neutral Finland,” said Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Krista Mikkonen.

In line with Antti Rinne's government programme, Finland intends to reinforce the steering power of the Climate Change Act. According to the government, the act will be amended in a way that will enable to achieve the target of carbon neutrality by 2035. The target will be updated for 2050 and emissions reduction targets for 2030 and 2040 will be added. The land use sector will be also included in the Act an a target for strengthening carbon sinks will be set. 

On Monday 11 November, a survey was opened to explore citizens’ views on the reform of the Climate Change Act. The survey is available in six languages: Finnish, Swedish, English, North Saami, Inari Saami and Skolt Saami.

Opinions collected on social media

In addition to the survey, workshops for different groups will be held and opinions will be collected informally on the Ministry’s social media channels. There will also be a public hearing on 15 January 2020 at the Helsinki Central Library Oodi.

“I hope that young people in particular will share their views on what the new Climate Change Act should look like. The youth climate movement has put welcome pressure on climate policy, and this is a concrete way to influence climate policy in Finland,” the Minister says.

The results of the survey and workshops will provide a basis when the guidelines for the Climate Change Act in set in February-March. The Government’s proposal for a revised Climate Change Act is due to be completed in early 2021.

The current Climate Change Act entered into force in 2015. It is a framework act, which means that it only imposes obligations on the authorities. The Act sets an emissions reduction target for 2050 and lays down a climate policy planning system for Finland consisting of three different plans: a medium-term plan for 2030, a long-term plan for 2050 and an adaptation plan.

If you want to participate in the survey, you can access to it HERE