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4.5.2026 | The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) met in London from 27 April to 1 May 2026. As expected, the Committee’s 84th session again allowed more time for negotiations on measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships. 

28.8.2024 | The status of the Baltic Sea remains predominantly poor. The effects of eutrophication in all sea areas disrupt biodiversity and the functioning of the food network. However, the harmful development may be reversing. Although the change is not substantial from the previous status assessment published in 2018, longer-term monitoring indicates a slight improvement.

19.1.2024 | The Green Deal agreement between the Ministry of the Environment and the Finnish Commerce Federation has reduced the use of plastic carrier bags and thin plastic bags quite rapidly. A recent estimate shows, however, that there has been some growth in the use of plastic carrier bags since 2020 and further actions are needed to reach the reduction targets by 2025.

31.5.2022 | June 2022 marks 100 years of Åland’s autonomy. We invite everyone to join us in celebrating the centenary with an environmental action. The Clean up Åland project encourages everyone to clean up litter along the coast and in the environment.

31.5.2022 | June 2022 marks 100 years of Åland’s autonomy. We invite everyone to join us in celebrating the centenary with an environmental action. The Clean up Åland project encourages everyone to clean up litter along the coast and in the environment.

6.6.2022 | Åland will celebrate its 100th anniversary of autonomy on 9 June 2022. Exactly 100 years ago from that day, Parliament of Åland convened for the first time. Every year the 9 June marks the celebration of Åland’s Autonomy Day. This year, in celebration of the 100th anniversary, the festivities will not only take place in Åland but also in Helsinki on a larger scale.

25.2.2022 | The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) brings together nearly 200 Member States to launch the negotiations on a global plastics agreement. UNEA is the highest environmental decision-making body in the UN. The Finnish delegation in Nairobi, Kenya, is headed by State Secretary Terhi Lehtonen from the Ministry of the Environment.

20.9.2019 | The EU’s Integrated Maritime Policy plays a key role in building a sustainable future for Europe. As the Presidency and in international forums, Finland aims to actively influence the international management, protection and sustainable use of seas and oceans. The aim is also to draw up Council conclusions that would define the EU’s common guidelines for maritime policy priorities.

24.1.2019 | The Government’s plenary session of 24 January adopted the guidelines for Finland’s marine and maritime policy. According to the vision for the policy, Finland has global influence and produces solutions to ensure that the use of marine natural resources is sustainable, the status of the marine environment is good, and the impacts of climate change do not exceed the carrying capacity of the oceans.

27.2.2019 | Often seen as one of the most overstretched resources, the seas offer one of the best avenues for sustainable growth, provided they are utilised wisely. Given that the world consists mainly of water, it is obvious that oceans and seas will also play a crucial role in addressing our global sustainable development goals.

29.10.2024 | On 29 October, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Kai Mykkänen signed two Memorandums of Understanding promoting Finland–China cooperation on the environment and the circular economy.

26.11.2021 | In its session that concluded on 26 November, the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) discussed measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping. No significant progress was made at the meeting.

26.11.2021 | In its session that concluded on 26 November, the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) discussed measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping. No significant progress was made at the meeting.

6.6.2022 | The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) will meet on 6-10 June 2022. The purpose of the remote meeting is to discuss ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping and to update the initial IMO greenhouse gas strategy. Negotiations will also be held on, for example, matters relating to ships' ballast water, the designat...

6.6.2022 | The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) will meet on 6-10 June 2022. The purpose of the remote meeting is to discuss ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping and to update the initial IMO greenhouse gas strategy. Negotiations will also be held on, for example, matters relating to ships' ballast water, the designat...

20.5.2021 | Arktinen alue on lämmennyt muuhun maailmaan verrattuna osittain jopa kolminkertaisesti viimeisen viiden vuosikymmenen aikana. Tämä on ollut nopeampaa kuin on odotettu. Arktisen neuvoston ja sen jäsenmaiden tuottama tieto alueen ympäristön tilasta ja arktisten maiden välinen "tiedediplomatia" onkin äärettömän tärkeää, jotta voimme ymmärtää alueella tapahtuvaa muutosta ja sen vaikutuksia, kirjoittaa ympäristöministeriön kansliapäällikkö Juhani Damski.

12.11.2019 | The legislation on the delivery of waste from ships to ports will be updated. The aim is to improve the treatment and reception of waste in ports, which will reduce the generation of marine litter and, in particular, the discharge of plastic into the seas.

12.11.2019 | The legislation on the delivery of waste from ships to ports will be updated. The aim is to improve the treatment and reception of waste in ports, which will reduce the generation of marine litter and, in particular, the discharge of plastic into the seas.

1.2.2021 | A revision of the Act on Environmental Protection in Maritime Transport is underway. The draft has been modified based on initial comments, and the requirements for ports and the authorities have been relaxed. The Ministry of Transport and Communications requests comments on the draft by 12 February.

1.2.2021 | A revision of the Act on Environmental Protection in Maritime Transport is underway. The draft has been modified based on initial comments, and the requirements for ports and the authorities have been relaxed. The Ministry of Transport and Communications requests comments on the draft by 12 February.