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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

Upping the ambition level of CAP environmental and climate objectives

18.11.2019 10.26
Column
Since the Commission communication and the adoption of the legislative proposals, one thing has been made clear as regards the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform: improving the state of the environment and responding to climate change are key objectives. The Commission’s proposal for the post-2020 CAP addresses global challenges such as the loss of biodiversity and the increasing rate of climate change. During the negotiations on the reform, all member states have stressed the importance of the objectives.

EU finance and education ministers discussed role of education and training in achieving sustainable growth

8.11.2019 18.30
EU2019FI Ministry of Education and Culture Ministry of Finance
News item
Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union was the first to arrange a joint policy debate for the finance and education ministers of EU member states. The debate took place on 8 November 2019 in Brussels. The ministers discussed the role of education and training in promoting wellbeing and driving sustainable growth in the long term.

Taina Nikula: A new direction for the economy – more circularity, intelligent solutions and sparing use of resources

25.10.2019 8.04
Ministry of the Environment
Column
Europe is looking for new ways of mitigating climate change. While cynics say this heralds a return to the dark ages of ‘make do and mend’, others believe this is now the start of a momentous shift to a new type of economy. At the October Environment Council, the environment and climate ministers of EU member states brought their own policy positions to the table and adopted Council conclusions on the circular economy prepared under Finland’s leadership.

Finland presented work on implementation of EU Strategic Agenda

18.10.2019 11.49
EU2019FI
News item
The European Council discussed the follow-up to the Strategic Agenda for 2019–2024 in Brussels on 18 October 2019. Finland is now the first presidency to integrate the priorities of the Agenda, adopted in June, into the Council’s practical work. Finnish Prime Minister Antti Rinne informed the EU leaders of the progress made in the implementation.