Finland’s net greenhouse gas emissions declined by about one percent in 2023, according to the government’s annual climate report. The figure reflects the combined effect of emissions and carbon sinks.
The land use sector continues to emit more than it absorbs. It has remained a net source of emissions since 2018. Forests alone have been in deficit since 2021.
Sally Weaver, senior specialist at the Ministry of the Environment, said the figures are based on updated inventories and recent field data.
She pointed to warming soils, slower forest growth, and sustained logging levels as key factors.
“Soil emissions are rising with the warming climate. Forest growth has slowed, and harvesting has remained high,” Weaver said at the press conference.
She added that Finland is unlikely to meet the EU’s carbon sink target for 2021–2025. Prospects for the 2026–2030 target period are also poor. “Additional measures are needed,” she said.
Emissions in the EU-regulated emissions trading sector dropped 14 percent last year. The effort sharing sector, which includes transport, agriculture, waste, and heating, saw a one percent decline. Despite this, both sectors exceeded Finland’s annual allowances.
Transport emissions rose, offsetting reductions elsewhere. This was attributed to a drop in the distribution of renewable fuels.
Finland’s Climate Act requires the country to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035, meaning net emissions must be zero. According to Weaver, current measures are not enough. “Without significant additional action across all sectors, this target will not be reached,” she said.
The Act also mandates reductions of 60 percent by 2030, 80 percent by 2040, and at least 90 percent by 2050, compared to 1990 levels. These targets are not achievable under existing policies, the report concluded. With carbon capture technologies, they might still be met.
Commitment to these targets is part of the programme of Petteri Orpo’s government. Environment and Climate Minister Sari Multala said more action is clearly needed.
“Emissions from the land use sector are moving in the wrong direction. The scale of the challenge is significant,” Multala said.
She acknowledged the complexity of the decisions ahead. “These will not be easy. They involve multiple measures and require coordination not only economically, but also in terms of biodiversity.”
The government will define new actions in the upcoming energy and climate strategy and the medium-term climate policy plan. Both are scheduled for public consultation in the coming weeks.
Multala denied any internal conflict within the government over climate targets, despite earlier criticism from the Finns Party and the Christian Democrats.
HT
