In addition to setting a climate neutrality target for the EU by 2050, Finland advocates a holistic approach to adapting all sectors of the economy to the climate challenge, in the run-up to its third EU Council Presidency.
“I am somehow a bit fed up by the pessimism” on the issue of climate neutrality, said Finnish Minister of Economic Affairs Katri Kulmuni on Thursday 27 June in Helsinki. According to her, we must have this “vision” at EU level, even if the path of transition has not yet been paved.
“We don't know exactly how to do it, but we have to start from somewhere”, she said.
Ms Kulmuni is convinced that the pioneering companies will have an undeniable competitive advantage. And this revolution in the way we produce and consume is not incompatible with social justice. Finland has increased taxes on fossil fuels all while increasing social benefits for the poorest people.
Ambitious, the future Finnish Presidency will therefore try to define a common position on a “new growth agenda” capable of boosting the competitiveness of companies while remaining fair from a social point of view. “No more, no less”, said Ms Kulmuni.
Its focus is on the following areas: modern industrial policy, the digital economy, the circular economy, trade policy and lifelong learning for workers.
The Informal Meeting of Competitiveness Ministers, on 4 and 5 July in Helsinki, will be a first opportunity to clear the way. In September, the competent Ministers will discuss the national Energy/Climate plans (see EUROPE 12277/4).
The Finnish Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Krista Mikkonen, spoke the same proactive language. Finland advocates setting an EU target of at least 55% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030 (compared to 1990). Inspired by the initiative of its capital, Helsinki, it will strive to achieve climate neutrality by 2035, fifteen years before the target, and it will attempt to have it accepted at EU level by the end of the Finnish Presidency (see EUROPE 12279/2).
On how to convince Member States that are still reluctant to achieve climate neutrality in 2050, Mrs Mikkonen admitted that there were “worries”, while believing that “if we don't do anything now it will cost more later”. According to her, “some countries will move faster than others”, but what matters is the trajectory.
The Finnish discourse is more blurred when it comes to promoting this ambition at the international level. Does Finland support France, which refuses to sign the trade agreement with Mercosur, if certain countries, such as Brazil, exempt themselves from the Paris Climate Agreement? On this point, Mrs Mikkonen kicked the ball into touch.
During its Presidency, Finland will not distribute any gifts traditionally distributed to national delegations or journalists. It will offset all CO2 emissions from air travel by financing projects outside the EU to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“We want to shake up traditions”, said Finnish Prime Minister Antti Rinne.
500,000 euros will be used to finance four projects: improving the performance of wood-burning stoves in Honduras, reducing methane emissions from municipal waste in Vietnam, providing drinking water in Uganda and producing hydroelectricity in Laos. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)