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Source: Government of Finland
The Climate Policy Roundtable will hold its 19th meeting on Thursday 8 December.
The main topic of the meeting will be justice in climate actions and plans.
Climate change is a fundamental threat to society, people and the living environment, and combating it requires wide-ranging participation and discussion among private individuals, businesses and other stakeholders.
The key dimensions of climate justice include fundamental and human rights, realisation of the rights of future generations and a just transition, which means that the transition to a low-carbon society should not cause an unreasonable burden to individuals, employees, different population groups, businesses or sectors.
In its meeting, the Climate Policy Roundtable will discuss e.
g.
how the participation and procedures of different stakeholders should be developed in the preparation of climate measures and plans and which target groups should be specifically taken into account and identified during the preparation process.
The Programme of Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Government states that emission reduction measures will be implemented in a way that is socially and regionally fair and just and that involves all sectors of society.
The new Climate Act entered into force in July 2022.
The objective of the Act is to ensure that Finland will be carbon neutral by 2035 at the latest.
The Act also aims to promote the justice of climate measures: it strengthens the participation of different stakeholders in the preparation of climate policy plans and the way the rights of the Sámi people are taken into account in climate policy.
According to the Climate Act, the Government draws up a Medium-term Climate Policy Plan and a Climate Plan for the Land Use Sector at least every two electoral term.
A Long-term Climate Policy Plan is to be prepared once every 10 years.
 In addition, A Climate and Energy Strategy will be drawn up once during the parliamentary term.
In the preparation of climate plans, more and more attention has been paid to different kinds of participation procedures, besides the traditional consultations.
For example, in connection with the preparation of the Medium-term Climate Policy Plan an extensive public survey was organised, and a citizens’ jury on the justice of climate actions was convened for the first time.
In future, a just transition will be stressed even more in climate policy preparation and decision-making.
When new climate measures are being prepared, it is increasingly important to also focus on the assessment of their impacts in terms of justice and equality, on broad participation and on compensations for any harm caused.
 The Climate Policy Roundtable brings together a broad spectrum of stakeholders from different sectors of society.
The purpose of the Roundtable is to create a common understanding of how Finland can make a just transition to a carbon neutral society by 2035.
With its work, the Roundtable supports the preparation and implementation of Finland’s national climate policy.
To follow the work of the Roundtable in social media use #ilmastonpyöreäpöytä and #hiilineutraali2035.
InquiriesRiikka Yliluoma
Special Adviser to the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change
tel.
+358 50 414 1682
[email protected]Jarmo Muurman
Senior Ministerial Adviser, Secretary-General of the Climate Policy Roundtable
tel.
+358 295 250 185
[email protected]

Source: Government of Finland
The Climate Policy Roundtable will hold its 19th meeting on Thursday 8 December.
The main topic of the meeting will be justice in climate actions and plans.
Climate change is a fundamental threat to society, people and the living environment, and combating it requires wide-ranging participation and discussion among private individuals, businesses and other stakeholders.
The key dimensions of climate justice include fundamental and human rights, realisation of the rights of future generations and a just transition, which means that the transition to a low-carbon society should not cause an unreasonable burden to individuals, employees, different population groups, businesses or sectors.
In its meeting, the Climate Policy Roundtable will discuss e.
g.
how the participation and procedures of different stakeholders should be developed in the preparation of climate measures and plans and which target groups should be specifically taken into account and identified during the preparation process.
The Programme of Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Government states that emission reduction measures will be implemented in a way that is socially and regionally fair and just and that involves all sectors of society.
The new Climate Act entered into force in July 2022.
The objective of the Act is to ensure that Finland will be carbon neutral by 2035 at the latest.
The Act also aims to promote the justice of climate measures: it strengthens the participation of different stakeholders in the preparation of climate policy plans and the way the rights of the Sámi people are taken into account in climate policy.
According to the Climate Act, the Government draws up a Medium-term Climate Policy Plan and a Climate Plan for the Land Use Sector at least every two electoral term.
A Long-term Climate Policy Plan is to be prepared once every 10 years.
 In addition, A Climate and Energy Strategy will be drawn up once during the parliamentary term.
In the preparation of climate plans, more and more attention has been paid to different kinds of participation procedures, besides the traditional consultations.
For example, in connection with the preparation of the Medium-term Climate Policy Plan an extensive public survey was organised, and a citizens’ jury on the justice of climate actions was convened for the first time.
In future, a just transition will be stressed even more in climate policy preparation and decision-making.
When new climate measures are being prepared, it is increasingly important to also focus on the assessment of their impacts in terms of justice and equality, on broad participation and on compensations for any harm caused.
 The Climate Policy Roundtable brings together a broad spectrum of stakeholders from different sectors of society.
The purpose of the Roundtable is to create a common understanding of how Finland can make a just transition to a carbon neutral society by 2035.
With its work, the Roundtable supports the preparation and implementation of Finland’s national climate policy.
To follow the work of the Roundtable in social media use #ilmastonpyöreäpöytä and #hiilineutraali2035.
InquiriesRiikka Yliluoma
Special Adviser to the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change
tel.
+358 50 414 1682
[email protected]Jarmo Muurman
Senior Ministerial Adviser, Secretary-General of the Climate Policy Roundtable
tel.
+358 295 250 185
[email protected]

Source: Government of Finland
Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will visit the United States from 7 to 9 December.
Foreign Minister Haavisto will visit Washington DC from 7 to 8 December.
He will meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
They will discuss the progress of Finland’s NATO membership process and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, among other matters.
In addition to this bilateral meeting, Minister Haavisto and Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström will meet Secretary of State Blinken together.
“It is important that Finland has regular dialogue with the United States on matters concerning European security.
Finland is committed to supporting Ukraine in cooperation with the EU and our partners.
We appreciate all the support the United States has given to Finland’s NATO membership,” Minister Haavisto says.
 In Washington, Foreign Minister Haavisto will meet representatives of the US administration and US Congress and exchange views on topical foreign and security policy themes with researchers.
In addition, Minister Haavisto will participate in a panel discussion on European security, which is organised by the Aspen Security Forum.
The biannual forum brings together government officials, business executives, academics and journalists to discuss topical questions of foreign and security policy.
Minister Haavisto will visit New York on 9 December, where he will meet UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UN leaders responsible for peacebuilding and humanitarian questions.
One of the topics of the meetings will be the global effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Other themes of discussion will be topical regional matters, such as the situation in the Middle East, the Persian Gulf and the Horn of Africa.
  InquiriesLaila Clyne, Diplomatic Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, tel.
+358 295 350 492Hanna-Leena Korteniemi, Director, Unit for North America, tel.
+358 295 350 662Anna Salovaara, Director, Unit for UN and General Global Affairs, tel.
+358 295 350 018The email addresses of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs are in the format [email protected] 

Source: Government of Finland
On Wednesday 7 December, Finland sent buses to Ukraine to be used to transport children and young people to school.
This donation is part of the European Commission’s solidarity campaign.
Russia’s war of aggression has effected an estimated 5.
7 million schoolchildren in Ukraine with many schools having been destroyed in bombing.
“Russia has intensified its attacks on civilian targets as winter approaches.
The destruction is extensive, and Ukraine needs many forms of help.
For example, there is a shortage of functioning vehicles in the country.
Finland has also sent Ukraine medicines, healthcare supplies and assistance relating to the energy sector.
We will continue to listen to Ukraine’s requests and provide assistance accordingly.
I would like to thank everyone who has offered their assistance,” says Minister of the Interior Krista Mikkonen.
Finland will send more busses to Ukraine at the end of the year.
The plan is to send at least 20 busses, the first five of which were sent on Wednesday.
Bus companies Koiviston Auto Oy, Pohjolan Liikenne and Erkki Itkonen Oy are donating the busses.
The donations from companies are a significant part of the material assistance sent from Finland to Ukraine.
“Even in the midst of war, the Ukrainian people are looking to the future.
When the war has been won, Finland can respond to President Zelensky’s request to help Ukraine rebuild its education system.
Until then, daily life must go on despite the war.
The busses that have now been sent to Ukraine are a concrete way to help children and young people get to school,” says Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka.
 The busses are being provided through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism.
The Ministry of the Interior is coordinating the civilian assistance provided by the Finnish Government to Ukraine.
Finland has provided a wide range of material assistance to Ukraine since FebruarySince the war started in February, Finland has sent 50 truckloads of civilian material assistance to Ukraine and 4 to Moldova.
Finland has also sent 6 fire engines and 13 ambulances to Ukraine.
The monetary value of the civilian material assistance is over four million euros.
Several shipments with a combined value of several million euros are currently being prepared.
 In addition, Finland has sent experts to Poland, Moldova, Slovakia and the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) to help coordinate the assistance delivered through the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism.
The ERCC is coordinating assistance to Ukraine and the neighbouring areas through the Civil Protection Mechanism.
 Ukraine will need assistance for a long timeThe current aid operation is exceptional, and the need for assistance is expected to continue for a long time.
As a result of intensified attacks in recent weeks, there is a massive need for supplies for the energy sector, in particular.
All of Ukrainian society, from citizens to the authorities maintaining the functions of society, will continue to need various kinds of material assistance.
Ukraine currently needs medicines, first aid supplies, shelters, water purification tablets, mine clearance equipment, CBRN protective and counter-measure materials, back-up generators and fuels.
The needs continue to change.
 The Ministry of the Interior is coordinating donations by businesses and public administration.
The most effective way for private individuals to help is by donating money to aid organisations.
Donated items and supplies are delivered to those in need of assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and in cooperation with the responsible authorities in Ukraine.
Assistance provided through the Civil Protection Mechanism is coordinated by the European Commission.
This will ensure that donations can be monitored and that they reach their destination.
Inquiries:
Pekka Tiainen, Senior Specialist, tel.
+358 295 323 488 227, [email protected] 
Mikko Jalo, Special Adviser to the Minister of the Interior, tel.
+358 50 304 8522, [email protected] (requests for interviews with the Minister of the Interior)
Antti Malste, Special Adviser, tel.
+358 50 400 1628, [email protected] (requests for interviews with the Minister of Transport and Communications)