Opening the discussion on changing the Climate Act is a dangerous game
STATEMENT
Representatives of the governing parties and the forest industry have recently publicly questioned Finland’s key climate goal: becoming carbon neutral by 2035. We call for a long-term commitment to our collectively set goals. Opening the discussion on amending the Climate Act is dangerous and threatens to water down the shared will needed for a solution.
Climate goals are not political game pieces – or at least they should not be.
Finland has an obligation to ensure that current and future generations have a viable environment, and the Climate Act puts this into concrete terms. International agreements, EU legislation and Finland’s Constitution are among the documents defining what the Climate Act can or should include. As its main provision, the Climate Act sets Finland a goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2035. The act, enacted in 2022, received widespread support from the opposition parties of the time, including ones in the current government.
‘Many students are worried about the consequences of climate change. Questioning necessary climate goals is a rising global trend. We students place our trust in science. We would also like to be able to trust that we in Finland agree on building our future resolutely and based on truth. The comments that have now been made in public debate erode this trust’, Chair of HYY’s Environmental Committee Santeri Sammalkivi states.
When the Climate Act was enacted, the vast majority of the Finnish Parliament considered it self-evident that more ambitious legislative measures are unavoidable to solve the climate crisis. Petteri Orpo’s government programme also includes an unequivocal commitment to the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2035. In February, the Finnish Parliament’s Environment Committee unanimously approved the government’s Annual Climate Report across party lines, collectively stating the obvious need for further measures. The comments now made by representatives of the governing parties and the forest industry contradict the previously achieved consensus and undermine the predictability that is crucial for climate and environmental action.
Why commit to the common objectives set in the government programme if you only intend to question them before the next elections? Contradictory communication obscures the binding nature of the measures aimed at slowing down climate change. Climate work requires predictability, and hinting at abandoning the climate goals erodes this predictability.
Politics is all about reconciling different views and solution methods. At the same time, however, Finland’s political climate also has great respect for unity and the will to find shared solutions when faced with shared challenges. Climate change is a perfect example of such a challenge: its resolution requires a long-term approach and clear political will. We consider comments questioning this irresponsible.
Different sectors in society have already taken responsibility and started working for the change. We must be able to expect the Finnish government to follow suit. The current and future governments must bear their responsibility. However, real change cannot be achieved without broad cooperation across party and sectoral lines. Distrust and constant confrontation delay the necessary measures. We must find a common direction and ensure that everyone commits to achieving our climate goals.
Petra Pulli
Chair of HYY’s Board
050 475 1280
Santeri Sammalkivi
Chair of HYY’s Environmental Committee
santeri.sammalkivi@helsinki.fi
