NordenBladet — The Climate Policy Roundtable will hold its fifth meeting on Wednesday 2 December. The main topic of the meeting is the process to reform the Climate Change Act.Finland aims to be carbon neutral by 2035. The Climate Change Act that entered into force in 2015 will be amended and strengthened in such a way that this target will be achieved. Emission reduction targets to 2030 and 2040 that correspond to the path towards carbon neutrality will be included in the Act and the target to 2050 will be updated. The land use sector and a target for strengthening carbon sinks will also be included in the Act. The proposal for the amended Climate Change Act should be ready for consultation in spring 2021.“The fact that the carbon neutrality target to 2035 will be included in the Climate Change Act is a strong signal for climate work in the coming years. At the same time, the transition to a carbon-neutral Finland must take place in a way that is fair and just, both socially and regionally. The roundtable discussion will give us ideas how a fair and just transition should be taken into account in the process to amend the Climate Change Act,” says Krista Mikkonen, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change and vice-chair of the roundtable. The meeting on 2 December will be chaired by Minister Mikkonen.In the preparation of the amended Climate Change Act a key focus has been on broad participation. From the very beginning of the reform process different kinds of
NordenBladet — Maritime automation aims for safer, more efficient and more sustainable water transport. In the face of automation, legislation should pay particular attention to ensuring safety, according to a study on the automation of maritime transport and the regulation of autonomous vessels, commissioned by the Ministry of Transport and Communications.Finland’s goal is to be a pioneer in maritime automation, from the viewpoint of both technological development and legislation enabling its implementation. The study on the development of maritime automation is part of the preparatory work for the action plan and legislative plan on maritime automation.The study has charted the international and Finnish and Norwegian national regulations concerning the Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship (MASS), and has described the current state of regulation and development needs. According to the study, autonomy requires general safety requirements for the operation and technology of ships, in particular to ensure navigability. Autonomous ships are vessels capable of operating independently or remotely controlled. The study also presents autonomous ship technologies, focusing on the technology, algorithms, and machine learning models required in autonomous navigation systems. In addition, it deals with legislation on tests to be carried out in the Baltic Sea, and the development of such legislation.According to the study, various tests of maritime automation are possible under the current regulations with minor changes, if the local authorities approve the activity. Permanent transport, on the other hand, requires changes to regulations in both national and international law. The observations of the study can be utilised in the planning of legislation in Finland and in the preparatory work carried out by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).European Commission event on maritime automation and the international workshop of the Ministry of Transport and CommunicationsMinister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka is releasing the report, commissioned by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, at the 2nd International Ship Autonomy and Sustainability Summit of the European Commission on 30 November 2020.The results of the study will be presented in more detail at an international virtual workshop organised by the Ministry and its partners on 1 December 2020, in parallel with the Commission’s event. The workshop will address the regulatory framework of autonomous maritime transport, the development of artificial intelligence and liability issues.The study report, Charting Regulatory Frameworks for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship Testing, Pilots, and Commercial Deployments is available on the Government website.
NordenBladet — The two resolutions consolidate the Government’s shared view on the means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from air traffic and maritime and inland waterway transport. They also outline Finland’s priorities for exerting influence internationally and targets for reducing emissions. The Ministry of Transport and Communications requests comments by 15 January 2021.The resolutions are based on the drafting of the roadmap for fossil-free transport, which was the first national analysis of emission reduction possibilities and their effects, covering a wide range of transport modes, including air traffic and maritime and inland waterway transport. The emission reduction measures discussed in the resolutions are divided into measures to facilitate the transition to alternative fuels and propulsion technologies, measures to promote energy efficiency in the transport system and the means of transport, and measures to reform the pricing system. In addition to the opportunities and objectives of exerting influence internationally, the resolutions discuss national actions, too.Ambitious emission reduction measures are needed to meet the targetsThe 2000s have seen a surge in emissions from air traffic in Finland. Meeting climate targets calls for the introduction of new and effective ways to cut back emissions in Finland, in the EU and globally within ICAO. The draft government resolution on air traffic proposes a target to reduce emissions from domestic air traffic and from international air traffic departing from Finland by 15% from 2018 levels by 2030 and by 50% by 2045. These targets were deemed attainable when the roadmap for fossil-free transport was drafted. However, they will require the introduction of ambitious emission reduction measures. Increasing significantly the use of renewable aviation fuels plays a key role in national and international decision-making to reduce emissions from air traffic.The progress in cutting emissions from Finnish maritime and inland waterway transport has been slow in recent years, and the sector is a long way from meeting its international targets, too. The draft resolution proposes a number of measures to facilitate the transition to alternative fuels and propulsion technologies in maritime transport and to support energy-efficiency improvements in existing vessels and the development of new, low-emission vessels. In addition to renewing maritime fleets and deploying technical means to reduce emissions from existing vessels, there is a need to address the overall operation of water transport systems to reduce emissions from vessels at sea and in harbour.“Despite the urgency of emission reductions, it is important that we do not add significantly to the cost burden of transport sectors until they are recovering from the severe market disturbance caused by the coronavirus pandemic,” says Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka.Both international air traffic and maritime transport are expected to recover in a few years to pre-pandemic levels.“However, we must recover from the state of emergency and revitalise transport in ways that will lead to a permanent downward trend in emissions,” Minister Harakka says.Next stepsThe draft resolutions will be circulated for comments until 15 January 2021. The requests for opinions are available online at www.lausuntopalvelu.fi. Organisations and private individuals are invited to comment online or by email to [email protected]Following the consultation round, the preparations of the government resolutions will continue by Ministry officials. The resolutions on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from road transport (draft roadmap for fossil-free transport), from air traffic and from maritime and inland waterway transport should be adopted in early 2021.
NordenBladet — In their meeting on 27 November, the President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed the Defence Forces’ plan concerning participation in international exercises in 2021.
The Ministry of Defence will approve the Defence Forces’ plan on the basis of the guidelines presented by the President and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy, having first informed the Defence Committee and Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament. The Ministry of Defence will provide more detailed information on the content of the Defence Forces’ participation in international exercises after the plan has been approved.
NordenBladet — The Sustainable Growth Programme for Finland will focus on achieving a fast-track recovery, structural reform of the economy and public services reform. The reforms and investments proposed in the Sustainable Growth Programme will accelerate the fight against climate change, boost productivity and economic growth potential, and ensure inclusiveness in society. This is the conclusion of the government report submitted to Parliament on Friday 27 November.
The report was prepared by the Ministry of Finance. Assisting in this work was the inter-ministerial coordination group appointed by Prime Minister Sanna Marin in September 2020. The preparation also involved close dialogue with regional organisations, local government, the business sector and the scientific community. The report gives Parliament the opportunity to take a view on how to best use the financing from the EU’s recovery instrument. The plans must be ready at the very start of 2021 to allow Finland to prepare for the next steps in the EU’s decision-making and to benefit quickly from the opportunities provided by the recovery instrument.
Green transition and digital transformation to be boosted by innovative solutions and new technologies
The Sustainable Growth Programme for Finland will support economic, social and environmental sustainability goals in a variety of ways. A key element of the Programme is to accelerate the green transition and digital transformation through innovative solutions and new technologies. At least half of the Sustainable Growth Programme will focus on investment and reform packages for the green transition.
Sustainable growth by working togetherPartnerships, widespread involvement and interministerial collaboration are essential for the Sustainable Growth Programme to succeed. This also requires flexibility and reform in the public sector and a new kind of interaction. Finland’s recovery and resilience plan will also take into account other aspects of the EU recovery instrument, the necessary national match funding, the measures already outlined by the Government, the needs of future-oriented investments, and the proposals of the post-crisis management and reconstruction groups.
Programme preparation on long-term basis
Preparation of the Sustainable Growth Programme for Finland by the coordination group is taking place in the latter part of 2020 and will continue during 2021. A ministerial working group led by the Minister of Finance is being set up to guide this work. The plan for projects to be implemented in Finland will be submitted to the EU in spring 2021. The Sustainable Growth Programme will be further refined and updated later as necessary. The implementation of measures under the Programme can continue until the end of 2026.
The Ministry of Finance will provide further information on the projects in connection with the spending limits and budget procedures for central government finances.
Caption: Sustainable Growth Programme timeline
The Sustainable Growth Programme for Finland is intended to be financed using funding provided from the EU stimulus package in 2021–2023. The Programme takes into account not only the finance from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), but also other EU programmes and instruments receiving additional funding via the stimulus package.
Finland, through its EU membership contributions, is participating in the funding of the recovery instrument in the long term. The impact on the Finnish economy in the coming years will depend on how effectively this financing is used for investments and for accelerating reforms. The European Commission estimates that as a consequence of the stimulus package, the EU’s real gross domestic product (GDP) will be as much as 2 per cent higher than without the package.
NordenBladet — At the presidential session on Friday 27 November, the President of the Republic appointed a new Head of Mission to the Permanent Representation of Finland to the European Union and decided on an authorisation to represent Finland in Azerbaijan.
The President of the Republic appointed Counsellor for Foreign Affairs Markku Keinänen to serve as Head of Mission at the Permanent Representation of Finland to the EU, starting on 1 September 2021.
Keinänen will transfer to Brussels from London, where he has worked as Head of Mission since 2019. In 2017–2019, he held the post of Under-Secretary of State for external economic relations at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. In 2013–2017, he worked as Director General of the Department for External Economic Relations. In 2009–2013, Keinänen served as Head of Mission at the Embassy of Finland in Madrid. His experience of work in the Diplomatic Service includes also various posts in London, Brussels and Madrid.
Keinänen joined the Foreign Ministry in 1989. He holds the degree of Master of Laws trained on the bench.In addition, the President of the Republic authorised Counsellor for Foreign Affairs Kirsti Narinen, Roving Ambassador based at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, to represent Finland in also in Azerbaijan.
NordenBladet — President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö has awarded the title of Academician of Science to Professor Emeritus Kari Aaltalo and Professor Emerita Kaisa Häkkinen.
Academy Professor Kari Alitalo (b. 1952) has been Director of the Molecular/Cancer Biology Research Programme at the University of Helsinki since 1999. He was Professor of Medical Biochemistry at the University of Turku in 1986-1987; Research Professor at the Finnish Cancer Institute in 1987-1988; and Professor of Cancer Biology at the University of Helsinki in 1989-1993. He was appointed permanent Academy Professor in 1993, a position he held continuously until 31 May 2020.
Professor Alitalo’s main areas of research interest include the pathophysiology of cancer, particularly the role of lymphatic vessels in tumour metastasis, and the development of more targeted therapeutic strategies to prevent the growth and spread of cancer. He has identified several new growth factors and receptors that regulate the development of the vascular and lymphatic system. One of Professor Alitalo’s most significant recent research findings is the discovery of a lymphatic system in the brain.
Professor Emerita Kaisa Häkkinen (b. 1950) served as Acting Professor and Professor of Finnish Language and Literature at Åbo Akademi University in 1993–1999 and as Professor of Finnish Language at the University of Turku in 1999–2015. She was Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, University of Turku, in 2004–2009.Her main research interests include the history and development of the Finnish language, its phonetic and morphological structure, the history and etymology of Finnish words and the history of language research. She is known primarily for her studies into the origin and history of words. In the 2000s, she has taken a special interest in studying old literary Finnish and the Finnish language in the works of Mikael Agricola.
Academicians are distinguished scientists
Based on nominations made by the Academy of Finland, the President of the Republic of Finland may confer the honorary title of Academician (of Science) to highly distinguished Finnish or foreign scientists and scholars.There are currently 14 Finnish Academicians of Science. The title of Academician can be held by no more than sixteen Finnish scientists and scholars at a time, and were last awarded in 2017.
NordenBladet — On 13 August 2020, Fortum submitted an environmental impact assessment (EIA) programme to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. It started a procedure, which will assess the environmental impact of continuing, or alternatively closing, the operation of the Loviisa nuclear power plant as well as the impact of the options for the final disposal facility of low and intermediate-level waste. As the coordinating authority, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment issued a statement on the programme on 26 November 2020.
Two primary alternatives will be assessed in Fortum’s EIA programme: continuing the use of both units until about 2050 or decommissioning the nuclear power plant after the expiration of the current licences in 2027 and 2030.In its statement, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment states that the EIA programme prepared by Fortum covers the content requirements laid down in Section 3 of the EIA Decree and, in terms of its extent and detail, is an adequate plan for assessing the environmental impact of the project, provided that the issues presented in the Ministry’s statement are taken into account as the project progresses and at a later stage of the EIA procedure.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment requests in its statement that the assessment provide further details on the management of the ageing of the plant and take into consideration climate change and cooling in the assessment. The Ministry also requests that the assessment on nuclear waste management describe the prevention and consequences of accidents.
Public consultation concerning the EIA programme was organised between 26 August and 26 October 2020. The public event, as required by the EIA Decree, was held in Loviisa on 3 September 2020. A total of 39 statements and opinions were submitted to the Ministry during the national consultation.
According to the statements, the EIA programme was mainly considered comprehensive. However, the respondents made some individual comments, which should be taken into account and assessed in the EIA procedure. In particular, the respondents commented on the accident modelling and the nuclear power plant’s impact on waters. In addition, the statements and opinions also included other questions, comments and considerations that should be taken into account by the body responsible for the project.
Due to the potential for transboundary effects in the event of a nuclear accident, an international consultation on the programme was also organised in accordance with the Espoo Convention. The coordinating authority for the international hearings is the Ministry of the Environment.
During the hearings organised in accordance with the Espoo Convention, Sweden, Estonia, Russia, Norway, Denmark, Lithuania, Germany and Austria announced their participation in the EIA procedure. A total of 20 statements were received from EU citizens and organisations. The international hearings focused on the risks of a serious nuclear accident and its consequences.
The statements and opinions are available on the website of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.
The EIA procedure will continue with an assessment on environmental impacts and an EIA report on them. According to the preliminary estimate, Fortum would submit the report to the Ministry in autumn 2021. The evaluation report would then be available in September-October. The coordinating authority would release its informed conclusion in December 2021. After that, the EIA report would be attached to the application for an operating or decommissioning permit concerning the future of the power plant.
NordenBladet — The Government has submitted to Parliament a proposal for an act on the marketing and use of explosives precursors and certain related acts. The new act would place further restrictions on consumer access to certain explosives precursors. The act would lay down national provisions on the marketing and use of explosives precursors and repeal the current act on the marketing and use of explosives precursors. National provisions would supplement the relevant Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council.
The new act would largely correspond to the existing act but would contain certain clarifications required by the EU Regulation. For example, consumers would no longer be able to obtain specific chlorates and perchlorates in certain concentrations, which is possible under the current Regulation of 2013. Sulphuric acid in a certain concentration would also be subject to a licence.
The Government also proposes that more thorough background checks be carried out on licence applicants. The related provisions would be added to the Act on the Storage of Information Extracted from the Criminal Records and on the Disclosure of Such Information between Finland and Other Member States of the European Union and to the Criminal Records Act.
The acts are scheduled to enter into force on 1 February 2021 when the application of the EU Regulation begins.
NordenBladet — The Government proposes that the Act on Strong Electronic Identification and Electronic Trust Services be amended. The amendment would extend the maximum price regulation for the chaining of electronic initial identification data by two years. The maximum price would continue to be three cents.Initial identification refers to reliable verification of a person’s identity when the person is issued a means of strong identification, such as online banking codes, for the first time. Chaining of initial identification data takes place when a new means of electronic identification is created entirely electronically with the help of an existing means of strong electronic identification, like a new mobile certificate with the help of banking codes.
The Government decided to propose that the price regulation be extended, because the availability of electronic identification is essential for basic public services and their security. The maximum pricing aims to promote the opportunities of providers of strong identification means to offer them to users and so increase the availability of strong electronic identification for both consumers and electronic services. The current maximum price regulation has promoted the market and increased interest in the provision of new and competing services. However, the development work is still underway.
The Government also proposes that a new task be added for the Transport and Communications Agency to collect and provide statistical data on the market and supply of strong electronic identification. Access to statistical data would make it easier to monitor the impacts of the regulation and to further develop the legislation.
Next steps
The Government submitted to Parliament the proposal to amend the Act on Strong Electronic Identification and Electronic Trust Services on 26 November 2020.A referral debate on the proposal now submitted to Parliament will be conducted in a Parliament plenary session. Information on the date of the session will be available on the Parliament website (plenary session agendas).
After the preliminary debate, the proposal will be taken to a Parliamentary Committee. After the Committee submits a report, the process will continue in a plenary session.
The regulation is to enter into force on 1 April 2021 as the current price regulation period ends.