Climate Cooperation

Climate change is predicted to increase annual precipitation in Finland.

Finland’s climate policy encompasses many different actors and levels. At international level, negotiations are conducted within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), where Finland negotiates in the capacity of an EU Member State. At national level, the preparation of Finland’s climate policy is divided among various ministries, while decision-making power rests with the Government and Parliament.

Division of labour between ministries

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is responsible for duties vested in foreign service and participates in international climate negotiations in this role.

The issues for which the Ministry for Foreign Affairs is responsible include the following:

• international financing for climate affairs
• adaptation issues in developing countries
• improving the preparedness of developing countries to take action
• preventing deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD+)
• clean development mechanism (CDM)
• assessment of the impact of climate change on foreign policy
• trade policy
• contractual issues. 

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs serves as the Finnish national authority for the clean development mechanism and monitors the implementation of CDM projects.

The Ministry of the Environment bears the main responsibility for the preparation and coordination of Finnish stands in climate issues. This is done in cooperation with other ministries.

The Ministry of Employment and the Economy is responsible for the preparation of Finnish national climate targets and for emissions trading in the EU.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of Transport and Communications are responsible for climate affairs in their own administrative sectors.