Time to Wake Up: Why Isn’t Finland Investing in Its Own Climate Action?
- katariinakoivula
- Nov 19
- 2 min read
France Is Looking for Doers – In Finland, Climate Action Responsibility Is Shifted to the Future
The credibility of Finland’s climate measures is being tested. In recent weeks, we have seen an example of how difficult even transparency in climate policy preparation has become in Finland. The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation has had to take the Ministry of the Environment to the administrative court because the ministry refuses to release its preparatory records on climate measures. The administrative court has already ruled that the preparation must be public, but the state decided to appeal the decision to the Supreme Administrative Court (Finnish Association for Nature Conservation, 13 Nov 2025).
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Europe, practical action is already underway. In France, the public Île-de-France joint authority responsible for drinking water production and distribution for the cities surrounding Paris (SEDIF) has launched a broad Label Bas Carbone framework agreement. Under this agreement, certified service providers are sought to implement concrete and measurable emission reduction projects (BOAMP, 15 Nov 2025). For another month, SEDIF is inviting French actors capable of delivering high-quality emission reduction projects based on standardized climate methodologies (BOAMP, 15 Nov 2025). In other words, in France, public institutions are looking for doers, not excuses.
Why isn’t Finland doing the same?
Finland has a wide range of expertise. We have specialists in ecosystem management, forestry, agriculture, the energy sector, and technology who can implement domestic, high-quality, and verifiable climate projects. Companies have taken the lead in their own climate actions, but their efforts alone are not enough. Public institutions are not acting as market enablers. On the contrary, contradictory guidance and statements are making it more difficult for the voluntary market to develop.
Finland’s climate actions appear to be shifting further into the future year after year, without clarity on how the projects will be financed or when they will actually begin. For example, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s planned restoration measures are still waiting for decisions and funding guidelines.
If practical implementation continues to be postponed, Finland will inevitably face a situation where its climate targets are missed before projects have even begun. It is hypocritical to emphasize ambitious goals while simultaneously avoiding concrete decisions needed to achieve them. Talk is talk, and actions are actions.
SEDIF didn't wait. They started acting well in advance. Through the Label Bas Carbone system, French companies can grow, develop, and take part in solving the climate crisis. It is not only about reducing emissions, but also about innovation, jobs, and economic renewal.
It is time for Finland to act as well, not to wait.
In Finland, climate policy is driven by caution, closed processes, and a “not yet” mentality, even though elsewhere in Europe practical work is already underway.
Finland cannot call itself a climate leader if authorities spend their energy explaining why nothing can be done. We need the same courage as in France: openness, concrete procurements, and active support for domestic climate measures.
Authorities must have a genuine willingness to engage with companies. Climate action is not achieved through prohibitions, but through decisions that make space for domestic actors.
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