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The EU as a global leader in climate action 

Climate change is a major global problem that is threatening the living conditions of humans and all other living organisms and is causing serious loss of biodiversity. Climate change also affects the economy and security, because it could destabilise the essential conditions for life and lead to unrest, conflict and displacement of people. During its Presidency, Finland is emphasising the importance of raising the EU’s profile as a global leader in climate action. This can be accomplished by adopting a long-term climate strategy aimed at making the EU carbon neutral by 2050.

To make society climate neutral, we must reach a global balance between greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sinks as swiftly as possible. The transition to a climate-neutral Europe can also make the economy grow faster and improve competitiveness. By embracing a bioeconomy and circular economy, not only can we find solutions to help tackle climate change, but we can also open up new business opportunities and create jobs. 

Finland’s Presidency aims to  

  • continue the work on defining the key elements for the EU’s long-term climate strategy for 2050 in the European Council by the end of 2019 at the latest
  • encourage implementation of the energy union and promote emissions reductions 
  • drive forward the implementation of the Commission’s updated bioeconomy strategy
  • expand methods based on a circular economy into new sectors
  • support a Common Agricultural Policy that can better respond to climate change
  • take forward actions to implement the UN Convention on Biological Diversity
  • promote the sustainable use of natural resources and foster animal welfare
  • ensure that the programmes of the multiannual financial framework (2021–2027) help achieve climate objectives.

Read more about important topics during Finland’s Presidency 

EU2019FI backgrounder: EU long-term climate strategy

EU2019FI backgrounder: Circular economy

EU2019FI backgrounder: Governance of the energy union and national energy and climate plans

EU2019FI backgrounder: Innovative technologies that promote climate neutrality

EU2019FI backgrounder: Energy taxation in support of climate action

Latest

EU environment ministers discussed European Green Deal and biodiversity

19.12.2019 18.30
EU2019FI
News item
The Environment Council convened in Brussels on 19 December to discuss the EU’s environmental and climate policy priorities for the coming years. The Council adopted conclusions that will offer guidance for the EU on halting the global loss of biodiversity.

Council of the EU and European Parliament reach political agreement on classification of sustainable investments

18.12.2019 12.32
EU2019FI Ministry of Finance
News item
The classification system will help investors to compare the sustainability of different investments, and the aim is to direct capital towards more environmentally sustainable investments.

Juha Niemelä and Marja Kokkonen: EU stepping up efforts to preserve world´s forests

13.12.2019 13.12
EU2019FI
Column
Forests are indispensable for sequestering carbon, preserving biodiversity and supporting livelihoods around the world. The importance of forests has been pointed up by the climate crisis and the recent devastating forest fires. The EU member states share a deep concern about the state of the world’s forests.

European Council agreed: EU to become climate neutral by 2050

13.12.2019 12.45
Prime Minister's Office
Press release
EU leaders have agreed on a commitment to make the European Union climate neutral by 2050. The agreement was reached at the meeting of the European Council in Brussels on 12 December. One member state stated that it could not, at this stage, commit to implementing the climate objective.