State of nature is still poor in Europe – competitiveness and security would also benefit from environmental and climate actions

State of nature is still poor in Europe - competitiveness and security would also benefit from environmental and climate actions

Biodiversity is declining in Europe. Emissions have been reduced, but the pace is not fast enough. The recent report of the European Environment Agency EEA explores the state of the environment in Europe, including Finland's challenges and success stories. The report stresses that, in the end, all human activities depend on nature.

The state of the environment, nature and climate are the foundation of our security and wellbeing. According to the EEA's report published last week, the state of the environment as a whole is poor in Europe. The use of natural resources is unsustainable, biodiversity is being lost and climate change is accelerating. Greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution have been reduced, but further actions are needed.

The report points out that the EU is a global leader in sustainable development thanks to its ambitious climate targets, regulation and international influence. Yet, Europe has also a lot to do to be genuinely sustainable.

The report discusses the state of the environment in Finland as well. Finland is one of the largest consumers of materials in Europe and we also produce a lot of waste. Finland's export-driven industry and the infrastructure needed due to the low population density, including the construction and maintenance of roads and railways, consume our domestic natural resources.

More than 75% of the country's surface area is covered with forest, but especially in southern Finland protected areas are small and scattered. Forestry has major impacts on biodiversity. Carbon sinks have declined in Finland as well. The decline in forest carbon sinks has mainly been caused by the increase in harvesting volumes, slower growth of the growing stock and increase in soil emissions.

Clean energy transition has been at the core of the Finnish climate policy, with good results. In addition, compared to other countries, air quality is excellent in Finland. The EEA's report mentions Finland as one of the frontrunners in renewable energy in the EU.

"In Finland 95% of electricity production is already emission-free, and we will continue the efforts to further accelerate the clean transition. Clean solutions boost competitiveness and strengthen our self-sufficiency. The Government Programme recognises the significant role of cleans technologies for economic growth and wellbeing. This is an important message for the whole Europe as we are striving to get rid of harmful dependencies," Minister of Climate and the Environment Sari Multala says.

Links between economy and environment should be considered more thoroughly

Due to the unstable geopolitical situation in recent years, security, justice and competitiveness have become key priorities in the EU. The report points out that these targets are not in conflict with climate and environmental targets. Quite the opposite, climate change mitigation and adaptation and safeguarding biodiversity also strengthen Europe's security and economic competitiveness.

The European economy is dependent on natural resources, which means that climate change and environmental degradation pose a threat to it. The report stresses how important it is to restore natural environments and urges to further strengthen the implementation of the European Green Deal (consilium.europa.eu). The actions are in line with the priorities of the European Commission's Competitiveness Compass (commission.europa.eu), because actions for sustainability also contribute to security, innovation and phasing out coal, including from the perspectives of food security, access to drinking water and flood protection.

The report identifies the circular economy, material efficiency and recycling as the particular issues where further development is needed in Finland. The report points out that competitiveness and economic wellbeing are built on the sustainable use of natural resources and a good state of the environment.

"A circular economy offers solutions to both environmental and economic challenges, improves resource efficiency and reduces dependence on imports. Finland has a lot to do in this. The transition into a circular economy creates pressures for change to society in terms of legislation and other steering instruments, operating methods and development of economic steering," Minister Multala says.

Finland has pioneers in circular economy. For example, almost 30 companies and municipalities have set voluntary targets to reduce the use of natural resources and improve resource efficiency through the Circular Economy Green Deal commitments.

"The work of the EEA, its members and the network of experts is an excellent example of the impact of European cooperation. Thanks to this, we have a common and comprehensive picture of the current situation in terms of the climate and environmental challenges that is based on reliable and independent data. A common and reliable understanding of the situation is particularly valuable at a time when fake news and disinformation are threatening societal dialogue and knowledge-based decision-making," says Laura Höijer, Research Director at the Ministry of the Environment and vice-chair of the EEA's Management Board.

The report was drawn up in close cooperation with the European Environment Information and Observation Network Eionet, which is a partnership network of the EEA. The report is based on the extensive competence of Eionet's experts and researchers, comprising the EEA's 32 member countries and six cooperating countries. The Finnish Environment Institute Syke serves as the National Focal Point of Eionet in Finland.

Inquiries

Eemil Nuuttila (political questions)
Special Adviser to Minister Multala
[email protected]
tel. +358 44 332 8332

Laura Höijer
Research Director and vice-chair of the Management Board of EEA
[email protected]
tel. +358 295 250 139