Climate Action 2017-2018

We are testing new
solutions, particularly for
sustainable food systems,
timber construction,
recycling of municipal
waste and rehabilitation of
contaminated land.
The reason for this can be an abundance
of non-renewable resources as well as
technological solutions and economic
structures, which are not fit for sustainable
use of renewables.
However, a transition from a fossil
economy to a bio-based economy is also
essential for a sustainable future. We need
to combine the sustainable use of biobased
renewable resources and ‘carbon
cycles’ with a circular economy. And this
brings us to a circular bio-economy.
‘Bio-economy’ refers to an economy
that relies on renewable natural resources
to produce food, energy, products and
services. A bio-economy strives to
reduce our dependency on fossil and
non-renewable natural resources. In
transitioning towards bio-economy
we must respect the limits of natural
capacities and work along the principles
of a circular economy. A sustainable
bio-economy also has respect for
biodiversity and the recreational values
that our planet and nature off er us. It
aims to increase our understanding
of how dependent we are on nature,
natural resources and their sustainable
management.
In climate policy, Finland is strongly
committed to the Paris Climate
Agreement. We are determined to build
a carbon neutral Finland by 2045 and
to do our share in balancing global
emissions and carbon sinks in the
second half of the century. The circular
bio-economy plays an important role in
this work.
Finland’s aim is to lead the transition
towards a circular bio-economy by
example and concrete measures. We
are testing new solutions, particularly
for sustainable food systems, timber
construction, recycling of municipal
waste and rehabilitation of contaminated
land. In addition, the circular economy
roadmap for Finland, developed by
the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra in
co-operation with key ministries and
stakeholders, includes more than 60
concrete projects and administrative
measures that support the concept of
circular economy.
In our national Sustainable Urban
Development programme we are focusing
in particular on low carbon, resourceeff
icient and smart services as well as
promoting equality and social cohesion.
The programme also aims to enhance
environmentally and socially sustainable
solutions and strengthen business based
on them. In addition, the government
supports urban circular economy and
cleantech initiatives and pioneering
networks, such as the Smart and Clean
Foundation in the Helsinki Metropolitan
Area, the wide networks of Finnish
Sustainable Communities (FISU) and
Carbon Neutral communities (HINKU).
We manage our forests, waters and
other natural resources wisely and
sustainably. After all, nature and forests
are our national treasures – and close
to the hearts of Finns. Despite rising
investments in the forest industry and
increasing use of wood, the growth of
forests in Finland exceeds the amount
harvested. With sustainable forest
management that promotes forest
growth and respects biodiversity, our
carbon sinks remain significant and we
are able to benefit from renewable raw
materials and energy for developing a
circular bio-economy. This also supports
the active role of forests in combating
climate change, as envisaged in the Paris
Agreement.
We must all be a part of the change. We
need to make more sustainable choices as
consumers – for example at the grocery
store – and make the most of shared
ownership and low-carbon living. But
most importantly, we need a revolution
in the way we think about the economy.
This change in our mindset, together
with bold policy measures and innovative
businesses, will foster the paradigm
change from fossil, pipeline economy to a
circular bio-economy.
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POLICY