Minister of Climate and the Environment Sari Multala. Photo: Antti Aimo-Koivisto / Lehtikuva
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Finland’s Minister of Climate and the Environment Sari Multala says solving the country’s emissions shortfall will fall largely to the next government, as progress stalls outside energy and industry.
The government approved its annual climate report on Friday and submitted it to Parliament. The document confirms that emissions rose last year in the land-use sector, particularly in agriculture and forestry. That sector is no longer a net carbon sink.
“The issue with forest sinks emerged at the end of the last government’s term, and there will certainly be a significant amount of work left for the next government,” Multala said at a press conference.
The current government, led by Petteri Orpo, has less than two years left in office. Its four-party coalition is split over climate policy. Critics say it has done too little to reduce emissions and too much to support petrol and diesel car use.
The 2035 carbon neutrality goal, set by the previous administration, is based on the assumption that carbon sinks will offset all remaining emissions. Under EU law, Finland is also obliged to maintain a minimum forest sink level.
Climate action has been further complicated by internal political tensions. Finance Minister Riikka Purra of the Finns Party has publicly called for scrapping the Climate Act and labelled the 2035 target “absurd.”
The government has pledged to introduce new emissions reduction measures in its upcoming energy and climate strategy. The long-delayed plan is now expected to be published next week.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
