NordenBladet — On Monday 7 March, Prime Minister Sanna Marin will visit Tallinn and meet with Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. In their meeting, the prime ministers will discuss the security situation in Europe, bilateral relations between Finland and Estonia and cooperation on topical EU matters.The prime ministers will also receive a report on Finnish-Estonian relations, which was commissioned jointly by the countries’ governments and has been drawn up over the past year. The study was led by former ministers Anne-Mari Virolainen from Finland and Jaak Aaviksoo from Estonia with support from the Finnish Institute of International Affairs (FIIA) and the Estonian Foreign Policy Institute (EFPI). The report offers recommendations on the future development of cooperation between Finland and Estonia in areas such as the economy, the green transition, digital cooperation, culture and education.During her visit, Prime Minister Marin will also meet with Speaker of the Estonian Parliament Jüri Ratas.
NordenBladet — The Government approved the proposal for the new Climate Change Act on 3 March. The Act has been reformed to make sure that Finland’s carbon neutrality target for 2035 and other international and EU climate objectives will be reached. In addition to the carbon neutrality target, the Act sets emission reduction targets for 2030, 2040 and 2050. The Act lays down provisions on climate policy plans, and the reform will extend the scope of the Act to the land use sector. A target to strengthen carbon sinks will also be included in the Act.“The decision on the Climate Change Act is the measure by this Government that will have the most permanent impact. It will ensure that the carbon neutrality target 2035 is maintained and that climate work continues beyond electoral terms. The Climate Change Act is also a strong signal to companies that in this country clean solutions are worth investing in. I am particularly proud that the preparation of the Climate Change Act has been carried out in close cooperation with researchers, and the objectives set in the Act are based on scientific recommendations,” says Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Emma Kari.“Finland’s aim to build a fossil-free welfare state is a question that is related not only to the climate crisis but also to security policy. The faster we phase out our dependency on fossil resources, the better for the climate and for the security of Finland and Europe as a whole,” Kari continues.The previous Climate Change Act entered into force in 2015, and it set an emission reduction target only for 2050. The new Climate Change Act will include emission reduction targets for 2030 and 2040 that are based on the recommendations of the Finnish Climate Change Panel, and the target for 2050 will be updated. The emission reduction targets are -60% by 2030, -80% by 2040 and at least -90% but aiming at -95% by 2050, compared to the levels in 1990.The new Climate Change Act is to enter into force on 1 July 2022.Climate policy plans are key means to reach targetsTo reach the emission reduction targets, the Climate Change Act lays down provisions on national climate change policy plans that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Finland and promote climate change adaptation.The key plans are the Medium-term Climate Change Policy Plan, the Climate Change Adaptation Plan and the Long-term Climate Change Policy Plan. As a new plan, the Act introduces the climate plan for the land use sector, i.e. carbon sinks and emissions from land use will also be covered by the Climate Change Act, and the Act sets a target to strengthen sinks. The aim in all climate policy plans is to ensure sustainable development and a just transition.The Act also lays down provisions on the monitoring of the implementation of the plans, which means that the Government must follow the achievement of Finland’s climate objectives and the need for additional measures.After the reform, the Annual Climate Report to Parliament will be even more comprehensive than before. The general public will also be kept better informed about the trends in emissions and adequacy of climate measures.Sámi Climate Council gives opinions on climate issues from Sámi culture perspectiveDuring the process to prepare the new Act, a key focus was on groups that are particularly vulnerable to climate change and groups that as a rule do not participate in consultations, such as children and young people. In particular, opportunities were provided for the Sámi people to be heard as the progress of climate change is the fastest in the north. The livelihood and culture of the Sámi are particularly vulnerable to climate change.By the new Climate Change Act, a Sámi Climate Council will be set up as an independent expert body that will produce information and give opinions on climate policy plans from the perspective of the Sámi culture. The Act would also obligate the authorities to negotiate with the Sámi Parliament when drafting climate plans.Act to be supplemented by municipal climate policy plans in autumnIn the budget session of autumn 2021, the Government decided on a statutory obligation for municipalities, regions or counties to prepare climate policy plans. The supplementary government proposal for the Climate Change Act should be issued in the autumn. This is also when the provisions on requests for review under the Climate Change Act will be laid down. A report on this is to be completed during March.Questions and answers about the reform of the Climate Change Act (in Finnish)
NordenBladet — On 3 March, Minister of Finance Annika Saarikko will meet with the President of the Eurogroup, Paschal Donohoe, in Helsinki.Minister Saarikko and President Donohoe will discuss the economic situation, the situation in Ukraine and other current issues over lunch.
NordenBladet — On Wednesday 2 March, Minister Tuppurainen’s PCR test for COVID-19 came back positive.The minister has flu-like symptoms and will work from home for the time being if she is feeling well and able to work.The Prime Minister’s Office is taking the necessary measures.
NordenBladet — Construction will grow between one and three per cent this year. Construction volume will decrease next year, estimates the RAKSU construction trends group’s report published on 3 February.The record-high pace of housing construction in 2021 has slowed, overshadowed by increased global uncertainty and the potential rise in interest rates. The construction of privately financed and state-supported rental housing will continue at a rapid pace this year. Capital is still expected to flow into housing investments, but the pace of investment is estimated to gradually slow. The construction of single-family houses has clearly increased in recent years, and this trend is expected to continue. The demand for construction is being supported by a favourable employment trend, and the increase in remote work has sparked new interest in residential options outside city centres. Large companies are planning significant investments this year, but global uncertainty could slow this pace. The rate at which building permits for industrial buildings and warehouses have been granted has risen. There is also demand for new premises, despite there being a high level of vacancy in old premises. Hospital construction is slowing. Fewer new schools are being built than last year. The prices of construction materials have risen sharply, and it seems unlikely that pressures on prices will decrease over the short term. There is also a shortage of skilled labour. However, the number of people working in the construction sector is expected to increase during the first half of the year. The RAKSU construction trends group forecasts that the volume of construction will increase 1–3% this year. Next year, construction is expected to decrease by 1–3%. Renovations are expected to grow at a steady 2% rate over the next few years. Civil engineering will grow a couple of per cent this year and decrease slightly next year. The report and forecast of the RAKSU construction trends group were prepared before Russia attacked Ukraine, and the forecast does not include estimates on the potential impacts that the attack may have on the construction sector. However, the risk that development will be weaker than forecast is significant.
NordenBladet — Instructions for employers on the safe entry of seasonal primary production workers have been completed. Seasonal workers entering Finland must be vaccinated as specified in the instructions of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare. Workers critical for security of supply, including primary production workers, will be allowed to enter Finland, but unvaccinated persons will be tested at the border. The war in Ukraine will make it more difficult for the Ukrainian people to come to Finland for seasonal work. Efforts will be made to facilitate the issuance of seasonal work certificates and entry into the country and to help meet the vaccination requirements for people from Ukraine.Vaccinated workers are allowed to enter the country if they have a vaccination certificate or a certificate of recovery from COVID-19. Unvaccinated persons will be tested at the border immediately after arrival in Finland, and retested 72–120 hours after the first test. More detailed safety recommendations concerning COVID-19 are available on the website of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare guidelines on travel and the coronavirus pandemic). Regional restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 epidemic may also affect the operation of farms. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry strongly recommends that all seasonal workers get vaccinated before arriving in Finland. The Ministry also recommends that workers carry a negative COVID-19 test certificate issued no more than 72 hours before arrival. Exceptions to these restrictions may be allowed for people from Ukraine coming to Finland and those who may seek seasonal work later. Updated information is available on the websites of the Finnish Immigration Service (migri.fi) and the Finnish Border Guard (raja.fi).The number of seasonal workers needed in primary production is around 16,000. “We are all deeply concerned over the war in Ukraine. I will do everything in my power to ensure extensive cooperation between the authorities to guarantee the entry of seasonal workers in Finland in the next growing season, and every effort will be made to make this possible. This is something we can do to help Ukraine and Ukrainians at war. We will follow the developments very closely. As in the previous springs during the COVID-19 pandemic, I want to stress the importance of observing health security practices in the farms and the responsibility of the farms for their employees,” says Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Jari Leppä.
NordenBladet — The Ministry of the Interior has appointed a cross-sectoral group to coordinate migration to Finland following Russia’s attack on Ukraine. The purpose of the group is to ensure smooth exchange of information between the different parties involved and to maintain a shared situation picture regarding the necessary measures.The coordination group will work together to ensure that the competent authorities can find the best solutions to any problems that may arise in the practices and legislation concerning migrants’ entry to Finland and their reception, stay and work here.Currently, the topics to be discussed include the availability of seasonal workers and the related permit procedures, any temporary protection possibly granted to Ukrainians, and ensuring smooth application processes in the rapidly changing situation. In addition to the situation of Ukrainian people, the group will also discuss other questions related to migration to Finland arising due to Russia’s attack. In addition to the Ministry of the Interior, the group includes representatives from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Finnish Immigration Service, the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities and the Finnish Red Cross.The term of the group will last until further notice, and the group may invite other necessary parties to participate in its work.Finland is monitoring the situation and preparing to receive Ukrainians Finland is monitoring the migration situation in Ukraine very closely. Finland has increased the exchange of information both nationally within the central government and with its international partners. The sharing of up-to-date information on the situation has been intensified within the EU.According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), more than 670,000 Ukrainian people have been forced to flee their country. In the first stage, migration is directed to Ukraine’s neighbouring countries and to countries that already have a Ukrainian population: up to 90% of Ukrainians who have crossed the Polish border are staying with their families and friends. There are significant Ukrainian minorities in different parts of Europe. There are approximately 7,200 Ukrainians permanently residing in Finland, and the role of Ukrainian seasonal workers has been important in Finland in recent years. The number of asylum applications submitted by Ukrainians in Finland has increased slightly in recent days, but so far there is no indication that Ukrainians would be planning to come particularly to Finland. If necessary, Finland is prepared both for receiving a large number of migrants during a short period of time and for facing a long-term pressure of migration. The authorities are capable of rapidly increasing the reception capacity, directing migrants to registration centres, if necessary, and concentrating their resources on the rapid processing of applications.Common EU solution is being soughtAlthough hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians have already arrived in the EU, the number of asylum applications submitted has not increased in the same proportion. Ukrainians do not need to apply for protection immediately upon arrival in the EU, because they can enter the Schengen area with a biometric passport visa-free and move freely within the EU for three months without registering their stay. On the other hand, it is difficult to obtain precise information on the migration and numbers of Ukrainians in the EU countries for this reason. Some Eastern European countries have started to grant temporary residence permits to Ukrainians.The need for protection may change when the three-month visa exemption period of the Ukrainians now arriving ends or if the EU countries bordering Ukraine are no longer able to receive all those in need of protection. It is also important to ensure that Ukrainians are in an equal position across the EU. As a common EU solution to the situation, the Commission is proposing that the EU activate the Directive on temporary protection, which is more than 20 years old. This would also be the first time that a possibility for providing temporary protection would be introduced in Finland. Coordination between the authorities is of utmost importance also in this regard.
NordenBladet — On 1 March 2022, the Ministerial Committee on Economic Policy decided that central government guarantees will not be granted for the loans and other commitments that will be transferred to the wellbeing services counties as a result of the health and social services reform.Furthermore, this policy sets out that central government guarantees will not, as a rule, be granted for new loans taken out by wellbeing services counties.On 18 January 2022, the Financial Supervisory Authority updated its regulations so that receivables from wellbeing services counties will be classified on the balance sheets of banks in the same zero-risk category as receivables from the government, municipalities and joint municipal authorities. As a result, the treatment of the loans to be transferred from joint municipal authorities to wellbeing services counties will remain the same with respect to solvency requirements despite the change in debtor.In the government bill concerning the health and social services reform, the granting of government guarantees for transferring loans was expressly justified by the fact that the guarantees would ensure that the loans remain in the zero-risk category in the reform. As the Financial Supervisory Authority’s interpretation is that the loans are zero risk even without government guarantees, there are no longer grounds for granting them.If some creditors decide to exercise their right to terminate transferring loans due to the change in debtor, the State will refinance them through its own funding.
NordenBladet — Capacity of authorities to ensure national cyber security to be assessed and developed The Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defence have set up a project to assess the capacity of authorities to ensure national cyber security, prevent cyber crime, implement cyber defence and respond to rapidly evolving situations that threaten the cyber security of society. “The digital transformation of society is happening fast and we are increasingly dependent on well-functioning information networks and systems. Cyber threats have increased and become more diverse. They also blur the distinction between internal and external security on the one hand and, on the other, between civilian and military threats. National and international threat environments are constantly evolving, and we as authorities must keep up,” says Petri Knape, Director of the National Security Unit at the Ministry of the Interior. Identifying key development needs in the authorities’ operating conditionsThe project will assess the current operating conditions of the authorities in serious situations that endanger national cyber security and identify the key development needs. If necessary, a proposal will be drawn up for a new operating model that, in addition to correctly timed and high-level decision-making, will enable effective proactive action and response as well as possible counter-measures.The exchange of information and cooperation between the authorities will also be assessed. When necessary, the project group will issue proposals for legislative amendments.Recent developments have shown that the risks of illegal intelligence activity and cyber interference targeting Finland have grown. Cyber threats posing a danger to national security may stem from either governmental or non-governmental activities and manifest themselves as cyber espionage, serious cyber incidents and cyber attacks against critical infrastructure or their preparation. In addition, cyber crime is a growing threat for the key functions of society.Government Resolution on the Cyber Security Development ProgrammeThis project is based on the Government Resolution on the Cyber Security Development Programme issued on 10 June 2021 and the Government reports on foreign and security policy, internal security and defence policy. The project’s measures will be coordinated with other cyber security development projects and the preparation of the Security Strategy for Society.The project will be carried out as part of official duties. To carry out the assessment, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defence set up a project group which will be active from 1 March 2022 to 31 January 2023.
NordenBladet — The national programme and environmental impact assessment of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste management were published on 1 March 2022. The programme was drawn up by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health together with the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority. The programme’s aim is to ensure that all spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste generated in Finland is managed safely and without undue delay.The national programme deals extensively with the various aspects of spent fuel and radioactive waste management. It includes amounts and locations of spent fuel and radioactive waste as well as general objectives, principles, an estimate of the costs and schedule of waste management. A key objective of the programme is to develop radioactive waste management in Finland. It is also a programme required of Finland by Council Directive 2011/70/Euratom. In national legislation, provisions on the programme concerning the use of nuclear energy and use of radiation are laid down in the Nuclear Energy Act and the Radiation Act, respectively. The national programme now drawn up is the second of its kind. It replaces the first programme completed in summer 2015. Updating the programme was necessary for the development of national activities and the future international assessments that will be conducted at regular intervals. The first international peer review has been planned for the end of 2022. In connection with the preparation of the programme, an environmental impact assessment was carried out in accordance with the Act on the Assessment of the Effects of Certain Plans and Programmes on the Environment. The assessment includes a description of the operating environment, objectives and likely significant environmental impacts of the project, among other things. The programme has been prepared in cooperation with operators, which play a key role in implementing the national programme in accordance with legislation. Moreover, two consultation rounds were organised as part of the preparation of the programme, during which the authorities, operators in the sector, citizens and corporations were able to present statements and opinions. The statements and opinions have been taken into account in the preparation of the programme.The national programme and decision of approval were published on 1 March 2022 on the website of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment at https://tem.fi/en/national-programme