OECD Environmental Performance Reviews: Finland 2021
Finland has a strong reputation as a leader in environmental policy and sustainable
development. It committed to become carbon neutral by 2035 and to pioneer the world’s
first circular economy. However, it is not fully on track to meet its ambitious goals.
Greenhouse gas emissions fell in the last decade, but they need to decline at a much
faster pace to meet the target. Waste generation, material consumption and nutrient
losses to water bodies have continued to rise. Agriculture and a large forestry sector
exert pressures on the country’s biodiversity. Targeted policy measures are needed
to provide adequate incentives, boost investment and innovation and steer the economic
recovery from the COVID-19 crisis towards the green transition. Finland should move
from good strategy making to effective and coherent implementation. It needs to get
the right policies in place, to secure sufficient resources and ensure continued and
broad public consensus.
This is the third Environmental Performance Review of Finland. It evaluates progress
towards green growth and sustainable development, with a special chapter focusing
on climate change mitigation and well-being.
Published on December 13, 2021Also available in: French
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