Finland’s government on Thursday approved two major climate policy plans aimed at meeting national and European Union targets, but left unresolved how to reverse the decline in the country’s forest carbon sinks — a key element in its 2035 carbon neutrality goal.
The cabinet adopted a medium‑term climate plan focused on transport, including incentives to scrap older cars, subsidies for converting petrol vehicles to ethanol or gas, and support for low‑income households to buy electric cars. An energy and climate strategy was also endorsed, offering tax credits and funding for clean energy, carbon capture projects, and expanded wind and solar power.
Climate and Environment Minister Sari Multala said the measures keep Finland on track to meet the EU requirement of halving emissions by 2030 compared with 2005, while reaffirming the 2035 neutrality target. But she noted decisions on forest sinks have been delayed due to insufficient data.
Updated figures from the Natural Resources Institute Finland show forests have shifted from being a net carbon sink to a net source of emissions, undermining both EU and national goals. Current measures — such as fertilization, afforestation, and encouraging denser, older forests — are expected to add only a few million tonnes of carbon absorption, far short of the tens of millions needed.
A recent report by VTT Technical Research Centre estimated Finland would reach carbon neutrality only after 2050 under current policies. Jyri Seppala, chair of the Finnish Climate Panel, said the new plans fall short and that forest use would need to be substantially curtailed, citing high logging levels, slower growth and rising soil emissions.