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7.4.2026 | The evaluation explored the objectives of the Climate Act and the means to achieve these from the perspectives of impact, cost-effectiveness and acceptability. The process was led by the Ministry of the Environment. Meeting the objectives requires additional measures, especially in the land use sector.

30.1.2026 | The new European forest partnership project prepared under the lead of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry progresses. The final Grant Agreement related to the partnership is to be signed by the end of May 2026. The first call for applications for research funding should open in autumn 2026.

24.10.2025 | The European Partnership ‘Forests and Forestry for a Sustainable Future’ brings together about 100 organisations from 28 countries to develop forest research and strengthen international cooperation. Finland acts as the coordinator of the project, with the work led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

19.5.2026 | The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has submitted two applications to the European Commission to qualify for support from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF). The support aims to help redundant workers find new jobs through learning of new skills and individual and locally targeted employment services.

28.4.2026 | The project of the Ilmari Räsänen Foundation produces offset areas that are ready to be brought to the nature values market by means of funding from the Kone Foundation.

4.12.2025 | The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of the Environment have begun legislative drafting to ensure consistent and predictable application of the obligations under the Birds Directive. The need to amend the Forest Act and the Nature Conservation Act stems from a judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union on felling trees during the period of bird breeding and rearing.

4.7.2025 | The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has launched an extensive package of measures that aims to strengthen forest growth and carbon sinks on a long-term basis. The package is based on the Government Programme and it will contribute to the achievement of the climate targets. The measures have been prepared in close interaction with stakeholders and researchers. Various actors in the forest sector have a key role in the implementation of the measures.

30.6.2025 | Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio has made a decision on funding for a cooperation project between the Natural Resources Institute Finland, the Finnish Forest Centre, State Forest Resources Agency of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Research Institute of Forestry and Forest Melioration. The project’s total budget is EUR 1.037 million in 2025–2028.

30.4.2026 | FINNISH GOVERNMENT PO Box 23, FI-00023 Government, Finland vn.fi/en Tel. +358 295 16001 VALTIONEUVOSTO PL 23, 00023 Valtioneuvosto vn.fi p. 0295 16001 1(8) Spending limits session of Prime Minister Orpo’s Government on 21–22 April 2026 Entries in ...

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11.3.2025 | The webinar series of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization FAO that started on Tuesday 11 March is part of a global initiative aimed to develop forest-based bioeconomy worldwide. At the opening of the series, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah stressed the role of multilateral cooperation as we move towards sustainable forest-based bioeconomy.

4.7.2025 | The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment requests comments on the draft Energy and Climate Strategy. Comments can be submitted between 4 July and 22 August 2025. The strategy set out the measures to boost the clean transition and promote climate targets.

2.10.2024 | Ministers responsible for forest affairs in Europe signed a declaration on the development of sustainable forest management and decided to set up a facility that will focus on anticipating and managing the risks to forests. The declaration was signed by 35 Member States and supported by more than 20 observer organisations. Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah represented Finland at the Conference, held in Bonn, Germany on 1–2 October 2024.

10.3.2025 | In 2024, about 3,200 hectares of forest habitats were protected under the Forest Biodiversity Programme for Southern Finland METSO. Last year Finnish forest owners protected about 2,900 hectares of forest on a permanent basis and concluded ten-year environmental aid contracts that covered about 260 hectares. About 20 hectares of forest was protected for 20 years and nature managements works were carried out on about 200 hectares.

5.10.2023 | The Barents Forest Forum, held on 4–5 October 2023, discussed sustainable forestry in the northern areas of Finland, Sweden and Norway. The Forum concluded Finland's two-year chairmanship of the Forest Sector.

12.11.2025 | The Forest Biodiversity Programme for Southern Finland METSO has established its position as part of nature conservation in Finland. The programme has developed a high-quality network of protected areas that already covers almost 100,000 hectares. The closing seminar of the programme period 2008–2025 presented some of the success stories of the widely appreciated METSO Programme.

21.8.2024 | For Forest+ is a group dedicated to advocating for the interests of the forested Member States within the EU. Ministers from the group’s member states – Austria, France, Slovenia and Sweden – and their representatives visited Finland on the invitation of the Finnish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah between 20 and 21 August 2024. During their visit, the ministers discussed next st...

25.11.2024 | Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah visits Canada with a delegation of the Finnish forestry and bioeconomy actors on 24–28 November. Minister Essayah will deliver the keynote speech at the Scaling Up Bioeconomy Conference 2024 in Ottawa. Finland is the Feature Country of this year’s conference. In addition, the Minister and the business delegation will visit the province of Quebec.

4.12.2025 | On 4 December 2025, the Government submitted the national Energy and Climate Strategy to Parliament as a report. In line with the Government Programme, the strategy will accelerate the clean transition, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen carbon sinks.

19.1.2024 | Finland finances international forest research as part of development cooperation in the forestry sector. According to Pia Katila, Senior Scientist at the Natural Resources Institute Finland, multidisciplinary approach is a key to producing information to support forest policy in developing countries.