FINLAND

Letter to the Commission: Finland and nine other EU Member States express their concern over the proposed revisions to the bioenergy sustainability criteria

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Just before the informal meeting of energy ministers in Amiens, France, on 21–22 January, Finland and nine other EU Member States submitted a letter to the European Commission and to the French Presidency expressing their concerns about the bioenergy sustainability criteria.The Commission presented its revision of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) only two weeks after the directive’s newly adopted provisions on bioenergy sustainability were implemented in national legislation. Therefore, as pointed out in the letter, it is too early to revise the bioenergy sustainability provisions.The proposed revision also introduces additional controversial requirements on bioenergy and increases the administrative burden and cost considerably. According to the signatories, the Commission’s new proposal fails to sufficiently take into account the national characteristics concerning forest management practices, geographical location and the energy production of the Member States.  As stated in the letter, potential challenges related to forest use and biodiversity need to be solved primarily by other means than amending bioenergy sustainability criteria legislation again. The letter also expresses particular concern about the EU’s investment certainty. There is a clear risk that frequent revisions and new requirements send investors a message to avoid investments in bioenergy just when investments are most needed for the EU’s ambitious climate targets and green energy transition.The letter was signed by the responsible ministers of Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Slovenia. On behalf of Finland, the letter was signed by Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä. 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Finland to fund European Digital Innovation Hubs

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment will fund the European Digital Innovation Hubs selected from Finland for the first three years. The hubs support businesses and the public sector in the utilisation and deployment of digital solutions.The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment pledges to co-finance European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) selected from Finland for the first three years of their operation. The national co-financing contributes to 30% of the costs of each selected hub, up to a total of EUR 3,709,200. The aim is to select four EDIHs from Finland, which means that the maximum funding is EUR 927,000 for each hub.“Companies will receive new type of support for their digital development from the European Digital Innovation Hubs. At the same time, a large number of Finnish companies and organisations will become members of the EDIH consortia and become members of the European network, which will play an important role in supporting the digital green transition,” says Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä.Half of the funding for the EDIHs comes from the EU’s new Digital Europe Programme, which has allocated EUR 320 million to EDIHs’ activities in the first three years. Finland’s share of this funding is about EUR 6.2 million. The planned operating period of EDIHs is seven years and the funding reserved for Finland for that period amounts to approximately EUR 14.8 million. The national co-financing now approved will cover 30% of the hubs’ costs, while the remaining 20% must be funded by the hubs themselves. Hubs for EU-wide network to be selected from among the national candidatesFinland’s candidates for the European Digital Innovation Hubs were selected on 1 March 2021 based on an open call. The candidates are:
•    5STAR eCorridors (DIMECC Oy)
•    FAIR – Finnish AI Region (coordinator City of Helsinki)
•    HealthHub Finland (Turku Science Park Oy)
•    Location Innovation Hub (LIH) (National Land Survey of Finland/Finnish Geospatial Research Institute FGI)
•    Robocoast EDIH Consortium (Prizztech Oy)
•    SIX Manufacturing EDIH (Tuotekehitys Oy Tamlink)
•    WellLake EDIH (Business Jyväskylä)Finland’s EDIHs will be selected in an EU-wide call, which will close on 22 February 2022. The hubs function as service points that boost digital investment and, in particular, the digitalisation of SMEs. The activities of the hubs must be non-profit making. The selected hubs will form an EU-wide network of around 200 hubs. With the help of the network, services can be procured across national borders. The first hubs are set to be launched on 1 September 2022. In Finland, the EDIHs are part of the Artificial Intelligence 4.0 programme that boosts business operations.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

EU energy ministers to discuss prices, energy efficiency and hydrogen in Amiens while a joint meeting with environment ministers to focus on just transition and forests

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The EU’s environment and energy ministers will convene in informal meetings in Amiens, France on 20–22 January 2022. Emma Kari, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, and Jukka Ihanus, State Secretary to Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä, will represent Finland in the meetings hosted by France.On 20 January, the environment ministers will discuss the EU’s chemicals strategy, pesticides and deforestation, while the joint meeting of energy and environment ministers on 21 January will focus on just transition. The meeting will explore whether the structure of the ’Fit for 55’ package responds to the challenges of social justice and acceptance, what measures are taken at EU level to ensure that the green transition is both ambitious in its climate policy and fair, and in which sectors the ‘Fit for 55’ package would generate the most growth and employment opportunities. The agenda also includes the role of forests and wood products in environmental, energy and climate policy. The ministers will discuss economic or legislative measures that could extend the use of wood taken from forests to increase carbon sinks.Energy ministers to discuss rising energy prices, hydrogen economy and energy efficiencyThe three topics of the energy ministers’ meeting on 22 January are energy prices for European consumers, allocation of stricter requirements to Member States under the EU Energy Efficiency Directive, and promotion of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen.The recent increase in energy prices is an unfortunate development for consumers, but it seems temporary. The EU should refrain from any action that would interfere with the emissions trading system or the electricity market. Issues related to the energy retail market belong mainly to national competence, and the measures should therefore also remain national. Phasing out fossil fuels and increasing renewable and other emission-free energy sources will protect consumers from price shocks in the longer term. The role of promoting energy efficiency will gain importance in reaching climate targets when energy efficiency measures have real and significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions. The Member States have great differences in their energy use and energy systems. There is no such single EU-level energy efficiency measure that would have the same impact on emissions in all Member States. Cost-effective measures should be optimised for each Member State on the basis of real country-specific data. Targets based on EU-level modelling may lead to high costs and inefficiency in reducing emissions in the Member States. As concerns the hydrogen economy, Finland considers it important that development projects and investments by industry can begin soon. Regulation must be open, agile and technology-neutral. The winning solutions are chosen in the market. While ambitious climate policy can be emphasised in the long term, it should not slow down technological and market development in the initial phase.  The ministers’ meetings will also be attended by Frans Timmermans, the European Commission’s Vice-President responsible for climate policy and the European Green Deal, Kadri Simson, Commissioner for Energy, and Virginijus Sinkevičius, Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries. 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Government wants to continue entrepreneurs’ temporary right to labour market support

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Entrepreneurs have been temporarily entitled to labour market support on more flexible terms during the coronavirus pandemic. Due to the deteriorating coronavirus situation, the Government submitted a proposal to Parliament on Thursday 20 January 2022 to extend the temporary amendment.As a rule, a person who has been self-employed on a full-time basis is entitled to unemployment benefit once the business activities have ceased completely. During the coronavirus pandemic, entrepreneurs have been temporarily entitled to labour market support if their full-time work has ended or their income has decreased due to the pandemic. The restrictive measures introduced because of the deteriorating coronavirus situation have again made it more difficult for entrepreneurs to pursue their trade. For this reason, the Government proposes that the Unemployment Security Act be amended temporarily, similarly as before.Due to the urgent nature of the proposal, no consultation round has been organised on it. However, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment sent a request for comments to the bodies implementing the unemployment security system, key labour market organisations and the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities.The temporary act would be in effect until the end of February 2022. According to the amendment, labour market support could be paid for the period of January–February. In order to be eligible for labour market support, the entrepreneur must have registered as a jobseeker at the TE Office, among other things. Because the amendment will be applied retroactively, it would be possible to deviate from this requirement until 15 February 2022. More detailed instructions will be available online on the website of TE services.The first similar temporary amendment to the Unemployment Security Act entered into force on 8 April 2020, and the amendment has been extended several times due to the pandemic. The most recent amendment was in force until 30 November 2021.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Physicians no longer required to submit communicable disease notifications of COVID-19 infections

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The Government has amended the Decree on Communicable Diseases in respect of notifications to be submitted to the communicable diseases register maintained by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare. From now on, physicians will not be required to submit communicable disease notifications of severe infections caused by the novel coronavirus.The amended decree will enter into force on 21 January 2022.Physicians and dentists must submit a communicable disease notification concerning generally hazardous and monitored communicable diseases. The combining of different registers and the data collected in this way have, however, made it possible that physicians will no longer need to submit communicable disease notifications of COVID-19 infections. The amendment will only apply to a severe form of the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, not to the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-1 or MERS virus.The data provided in a communicable disease notification by a physician can now be obtained by combining data on a positive laboratory-confirmed test recorded in the communicable diseases register with other data stored in the databases of the Hilmo, Avohilmo and Terhikki registers and the Population Information System. Such information includes the underlying health conditions, healthcare employee status, possible hospital care, intensive care, pregnancy and death.The amendment to the Decree aims to reduce the strain that submitting communicable diseases notifications of COVID-19 infections puts on the communicable diseases units of municipalities and hospital districts without compromising the collection of information necessary for maintaining a situational picture.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

First offshore wind power research permits granted for Finland’s exclusive economic zone

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The Government has granted research permits for three offshore wind power projects in Finland’s exclusive economic zone. Wpd Finland Oy was granted a permit on 20 January 2022 for the research area west of Jakobstad. OX2 Finland Oy received permits for two projects in the research areas west of Hailuoto and Jakobstad last week. Both companies’ permits offshore of Jakobstad concern the same area. The studies are set to be conducted this and next year.The Government will make a decision on who will carry out the offshore wind farm in the research area in connection with the construction permit for the exclusive economic zone, after the environmental impact assessment (EIA) has been completed. The projects also require a permit in accordance with the Water Act.Offshore wind project developers have become increasingly interested in the Finnish sea areas in recent times. In December, the Government’s Ministerial Committee on Economic Policy supported the proposal for an auction model that is to be applied to leasing public water areas governed by Metsähallitus to private companies for offshore wind development and construction projects. However, the developers of offshore wind are also interested in sea areas beyond those governed by Metsähallitus.  The exclusive economic zone is an international sea area where the Act on the Exclusive Economic Zone of Finland applies. Until now, the permit process for the zone’s economic exploitation has mainly concerned infrastructure projects, and legislation does not adequately consider the special characteristics of offshore wind. Most significantly, the legislation does not provide solutions in a situation where more than one operator is interested in the same sea area. The pre-construction studies required for offshore wind fams can cost several million euros, which contributes to a considerable risk for the project developers. At present, the risk is increased by legislation, which allows the granting of research permits to multiple operators for the same area. The legislation also does not give priority in the construction to the operator carrying out the studies, in the case that the area proves suitable for offshore wind and the project is economically viable. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, together with other ministries, will assess the needs to develop procedures and legislation concerning the use of the exclusive economic zone from the perspective of offshore wind.Offshore wind is currently not profitable on market terms in Finnish sea areas, but the situation may change in the coming years due to technological advancements and lower costs. The project development periods for offshore wind projects are usually long, between 5 and 10 years. For the development of projects, it is important to create functional and predictable regulation and administrative procedures at an early stage that guarantee sufficient investment certainty in order to prepare for an improved profitability of offshore wind. 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

New architectural policy programme emphasises the ability of architecture to support wellbeing and societal sustainability

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Architecture affects the wellbeing of people and nature in significant ways. Good architecture and design stand the test of time and can be converted into new use if necessary. These are key themes in Finland’s new architectural policy programme. The programme sets out objectives and measures for developing the sustainability of the built environment comprehensively between 2022 and 2035.The programme emphasises the importance of architecture as part of our everyday lives. With the help of architectural and design education and by sharing information, it is possible to bring more awareness to how important the built environment is for people and how cultural values are part of the identity of places. When culture, art and cultural heritage are present in the built environment, it is possible to support wellbeing, regional vitality and international attraction. “We are in an excellent position to further strengthen our position as a country that is internationally well-known for its architecture. By taking care of the environment that we have built together, we can create new and sustainable solutions to support economic growth, too,” says Minister of Science and Culture Antti Kurvinen. Education and research generate capacity for sustainable solutions. “To secure expertise and workforce in the sector, it is good to examine the kind of competence and workforce needs our professionals in architecture will be facing in the future,” Kurvinen says.“Regions, buildings and materials all play an important role in mitigating climate change and the loss of biodiversity. We must combat different adverse effects, starting with land use planning, design and construction engineering, and devise new tools and forms of cooperation,” says Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Emma Kari. Buildings that are designed to last reduce the use of natural resources and have a smaller impact on the climate and biodiversity. Built environments of high-quality also address problems related to inequality. “We need to design, plan and develop the built environment together with the users, and we must also be sensitive to future needs in different areas. We should make sure people can have a say in how their living environment is developed,” Minister Kari emphasises. Local work contributes to national and international objectivesFinland’s first architectural policy programme was published in 1998. A working group appointed by the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of the Environment drafted the second programme, which has now been published. Numerous parties and stakeholders also played a crucial role in preparing the programme and commenting on it. In fact, the programme emphasises that a built environment of high quality can only be achieved if designers, builders and other key parties collaborate.  Local programmes, which have been formulated in cities, municipalities and regions, generate the part of the work that is most visible to residents and which is progressing rapidly. It is hoped that more local programmes will be produced. These local programmes bring the national objectives to a concrete level, developing the built environment.  International objectives, in turn, support the practical actions of the programme at the local level and in different sectors. The new architectural policy programme follows in the footsteps of the international interest attracted by the first programme and extends even further. Finland’s programme complies with the Davos Declaration and the New European Bauhaus initiative launched by the European Commission in 2021, which shows the way to greater sustainability in the built environment. Architectural Policy Programme 2022-2035 (in Finnish) Press release of 12 January 2021 by the ministries, at which time the working group submitted its proposal for an architectural policy programme  

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Additional legislative amendments concerning preparedness for mass influx of migrants circulated for comments

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — On 19 January, the Ministry of the Interior sent out for comments draft legislative amendments that would support preparedness for a possible mass influx of migrants. This is a follow-up to the government proposal for amending the reception act last year. The need for change has been identified in the development work that the authorities have been carrying out since 2015.The Act on the Treatment of Detained Aliens and on Detention Units would be amended in such a way that, in the event of a mass influx of migrants, persons who are not in a public-service employment relationship could also be temporarily employed to assist in guidance and supervision tasks in detention units. In this way, the detention capacity could also be increased more quickly if there was a need for it in the event of a mass influx of migrants.Provisions on enlisting support from the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) would be added to the Aliens Act. The new Agency for Asylum will replace the current European Asylum Support Office (EASO). The related EU Regulation entered into force on 19 January. If necessary, the Agency could be asked to send support teams consisting of EUAA staff members and officials from other EU countries to Finland. The submission of the request would be decided at the government plenary session.The Aliens Act and the act on migration authorities’ processing of personal data would be amended so that the support team members would have the power and actual possibilities to assist the Finnish Immigration Service in the asylum examination.  The deadline for submitting comments is 17 February 2022. The government proposal is due to be submitted to Parliament during the spring session 2022.Two government proposals prepared in the projectThe Ministry of the Interior launched a project in August 2020 to prepare legislative amendments that would contribute to planning for a possible mass influx of migrants.All draft bills supporting the preparations for a mass influx of migrants were sent out for comments in summer 2021. The comments revealed a need to further specify the regulation and solutions. In addition, during the consultation round, the EU reached agreement on the preparation of the new Regulation on the Agency for Asylum. This delayed the preparation of the national legislative amendment: it was based on the previous Regulation, which was now known to be repealed soon.The legislative package of the project was divided into two separate government proposals so that Parliament had time to consider the proposal for amending the reception act already in connection with the amendment to the budget proposal for 2022. The amendment to the reception act entered into force on 1 January 2022. The Finnish Immigration Service now has central responsibility for preparedness planning concerning the organisation of reception services in the event of a mass influx of migrants.Other legislative amendments supporting preparedness also under examinationIn November 2021, the Ministry of the Interior also launched a project to assess legislation to help prepare for hybrid influencing that exploits migration. The project assesses the means of the current legislation that can be used to prepare for and respond to such hybrid influencing, as well as possible needs to amend the legislation in the administrative branch of the Ministry of the Interior. The term of the project has been extended until February 2022.Few asylum applications submitted last yearA mass influx of migrants is a situation in which reception centres for asylum seekers, including additional accommodation, are reaching maximum capacity and the capacity needs to be further expanded, as there is a constant influx of new migrants. Such a situation may arise gradually or abruptly, because of the massive displacement of people from a country towards Finland, for example.At the moment, there is no expectation of a similar situation in the near future as that which occurred in 2015, and the effects of Belarus’s actions, for example, have not been felt at Finland’s external borders. Since 2018, the number of asylum seekers arriving in Finland has been smaller than before 2015. In 2021, the number of new asylum applications remained low.The fluctuations in migration volumes along different routes are closely monitored. Finland maintains an up-to-date picture of the situation both nationally and as part of the European Union.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Results of county elections available online on 23 January starting at 20.00

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Preliminary results of the county elections to be conducted on Sunday 23 January will be published online in the Result Service of the Ministry of Justice starting at 20.00 on election day.The preliminary results will contain information about the number and percentage of votes received by each political party in the entire country and in each wellbeing services county, municipality and voting district, and they will be updated as the vote count progresses. Once all the votes cast in a voting district have been counted, the number of votes received by each candidate in that district will be published. The names of the elected county councillors will be published after the preliminary vote count is complete in each wellbeing services county.The final results will also be made available as downloadable files. The county election boards will confirm the final results of the elections in their meetings that will begin at 18.00 on Wednesday 26 January at the latest, after which the confirmed results will be published in the Result Service.Result Service for the county elections 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Norway, Sweden and Finland to reduce wolf population

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Scandinavian countries Norway, Sweden and Finland are joining forces this winter to reduce the population of wolves through culling. In turn, conservation groups are appealing to the European Union to combat the slaughter of the animals.

In Sweden, hunters have already executed the majority of their yearly target of 27 wolves. Finland has been authorized to kill 20 wolves, making it the country’s first “population management cull in seven years. Norway plans to cull about 60% of its wolf population this year to maintain just three breeding pairs in the country.”

Conservationists have accused the Nordic countries of creating a hostile environment for the wolves and defying the EU laws that protect the animals.

Siri Martinsen, Chief Executive of Noah, an animal rights group taking Norway to court, said, “It’s a horrific situation. Norway’s wolf management is out of control and they are just shooting wolves because some people don’t like them. It is outrageous to hold a species at a critically endangered level.”

5% of Norway is designated a wolf protection zone, where the protection of wolves is a priority. In spite of this, 25 wolves will be killed inside the protection zone in 2022.

 

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