Summary Finland country profile - SDGs and the environment — European Environment Agency www.eea.europa.eu
2,184 words - html page - View html page
One Line
Finland recognizes environmental issues and is committed to shifting to circular economies through recycling and job generation.
Slides
Slide Presentation (11 slides)
Key Points
- Finland's environmental sustainability challenges include high carbon dioxide emissions, biodiversity protection, and sustainable use of natural resources.
- Finland aims to transform its economy into a circular economy, with a focus on job creation and environmental protection.
- Finland has taken action towards achieving SDGs 2, 7, 12, 13, 14, and 15.
- Key themes for sustainability-oriented policies in Finland include the energy system, forest use, aquatic ecosystems, and food systems.
- Finland has integrated sustainable development into its state budget and has established a national network for the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda.
Summaries
17 word summary
Finland acknowledges environmental challenges and aims to transition to circular economies, focusing on recycling and job creation.
72 word summary
Finland acknowledges environmental challenges, including carbon emissions and biodiversity protection. It aims to transition to circular economies, prioritizing recycling and job creation. Key themes for SDG action include the energy system, forests, aquatic ecosystems, and food systems. Finland actively engages stakeholders through mechanisms like the National Commission for Sustainable Development. It recognizes barriers and aims to improve knowledge on environmental impact. Finland is committed to achieving the SDGs with an environmental focus.
188 word summary
Finland acknowledges the environmental sustainability challenges it faces, such as high carbon dioxide emissions, biodiversity protection, and sustainable use of natural resources. The country aims to shift to circular economies, prioritizing recycling and reuse. It considers the circular economy as a means to create jobs and protect the environment, particularly in the Arctic region. Finland's actions towards the environmental dimensions of the SDGs focus on key themes including the energy system, forest use, aquatic ecosystems, and food systems. The government's two main themes for SDG action are achieving a carbon-neutral and resource-wise Finland, as well as a non-discriminating, equal, and competent Finland. Finland actively engages civil society and other stakeholders through mechanisms such as the National Commission for Sustainable Development and online tools. The country recognizes barriers to progress and aims to improve knowledge on the environmental impact of consumption and production. Finland's long-term work on environmental protection, legislation, economic instruments, and governance have enabled sustainable development. The country also emphasizes addressing inequality alongside environmental goals. Overall, Finland is committed to achieving the SDGs with an environmental dimension and continues to implement strategies and initiatives for sustainable development.
420 word summary
Finland recognizes the need to address several environmental sustainability challenges outlined in its national sustainable development strategy. These challenges include high carbon dioxide emissions, the protection of biodiversity, and the sustainable use of natural resources. Finland aims to transition from linear economies to circular economies, where recycling and reuse are the norm. It views the circular economy as a solution for job creation and environmental protection. Finland has also called for urgent measures to achieve the targets of the Paris Climate Agreement and SDG 13, particularly in the Arctic region.
Finland's actions towards SDGs with an environmental dimension focus on SDGs 2, 7, 12, 13, 14, and 15. The country faces long-term challenges related to high levels of material and energy consumption. Key themes that should be addressed by sustainability-oriented policies include the energy system, forest use, aquatic ecosystems, and food systems. The Finnish government has focused on two themes for SDG action: a carbon-neutral and resource-wise Finland, and a non-discriminating, equal, and competent Finland.
The Finnish parliament has discussed the 2030 Agenda and its role since December 2016. Finland has submitted two Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) to the UN in 2016 and 2020. The country has a national follow-up and review mechanism for the 2030 Agenda, which includes around 50 national sustainable development indicators. Finland actively engages civil society and other stakeholders through its National Commission for Sustainable Development and other mechanisms. It also uses online tools to boost participation and concrete action on sustainable development.
Finland provides regular national reports on its progress towards achieving the SDGs and has undergone external independent evaluations. The country recognizes barriers to progress, including the gap between current action and the need for radical transformation. It acknowledges that current measures have not been ambitious enough and that conflict of interest between stakeholders hinders progress. Finland aims to create more knowledge on the environmental impact of its consumption and production and recognizes the need for integrated impact assessment tools for decision-making.
Finland's long-term work on environmental and nature protection, legislation, economic instruments, voluntary measures, and environmental institutions and governance have been enabling factors for sustainable development. The country aims to better understand and measure the environmental impact of its consumption and production in other countries. It also recognizes the importance of addressing inequality alongside environmental goals.
Overall, Finland is committed to achieving the SDGs with an environmental dimension and has implemented various strategies, mechanisms, and initiatives to promote sustainable development. The country continues to work towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future.