Working group: Major synergies between restoration and national defence

A working group led by the Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Defence examined the coordination of habitat restoration and national defence and identified means to promote their shared objectives. The working group concluded that there are major synergies between restoration and national defence. In particular, the restoration of mires has significance for national defence in eastern and northern Finland.

By improving the state of nature, solutions can be found that contribute to national defence in eastern and northern Finland. Natural barriers to movement in the terrain can be created by restoring mires or former peat production areas. At the same time, this will contribute to the recovery of the natural environment and the efforts to halt biodiversity loss.

The working group considers that nature restoration strengthens the comprehensive security of society in many ways, including indirectly. Restoration supports biodiversity, improves climate change adaptation and strengthens the resilience of society.

The Ministry of the Environment appointed a working group on 30 October 2025 to define shared objectives for habitat restoration and national defence, and to identify areas used solely for national defence where the measures required by the EU Nature Restoration Regulation are not compatible with their continuous use for national defence.

Potential in restoration of mires

In Finland the restoration of mires, in particular, has potential to support national defence. In eastern and northern Finland mires where restoration would also benefit national defence are estimated to cover at least 180,000 hectares. The working group stresses that there is strong potential related to restoration especially in state-owned lands. In private lands the implementation of any actions should take place on a voluntary basis.

“The final report of the working group shows that nature restoration also benefits national defence. Private sources have already shown interest in financing nature restoration that also contributes to national defence. The synergies between restoration and national defence mean an opportunity to target private financing to measures that will both safeguard biodiversity and strengthen Finland’s security through Finnish expertise,” Minister of Climate and the Environment Sari Multala says.

"Finland’s natural environment and national defence will benefit from this cooperation. There are considerable overall benefits to be gained from nature restoration, and the defence administration is prepared to support further action at different levels. In nature restoration that contributes to national defence full use should also be made of EU funding,” Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen says.

Working group proposes further actions to realise synergies

The working group proposes a good number of measures to promote the coordination of nature restoration and national defence. Cooperation between the environmental and defence administrations must be continued and further strengthened, especially in areas that are continuously used for national defence purposes. Additional resources are also needed for restoration. The working group considers it important to use the EU funding channels and direct private financing for restoration measures.

At present a major share of mire restoration is financed from the state budget funds or by Metsähallitus Forestry Ltd under the Helmi Habitats Programme. Increasingly, mires are also being restored with funding from other sources. Now that the situation of central government finances is very tight, these other sources are even more important than before.

“The conclusions of the working group show that measures to improve the state of nature can promote several societal objectives at the same time. The multiple benefits to be gained from the solutions and their cost-efficiency are important, also in terms of EU funding. I wish to thank the defence administration for their excellent cooperation,” says Tarja Haaranen, Director General at the Ministry of the Environment and chair of the working group.

• Final report of the working group defining shared objectives for restoration and national defence

Inquiries:

Tarja Haaranen
Director General 
Ministry of the Environment
tel. +358 295 250 282
[email protected]

Sami Heikkilä
Senior Specialist
Ministry of Defence
tel. +358 295 140 452
[email protected]