Environmental protection

	© Pirjo Ferin-Westerholm

Environmental protection policies in Finland are designed to increase well-being and create an eco-efficient society by promoting sustainable development, by actively improving our environment, and by ensuring that natural ecosystems can continue to function well.  

The main goals set out in the strategy of the Ministry of the Environment are to increase environmental responsibility throughout Finnish society, to ensure that our environment is safe, and to improve the state of the Baltic Sea.

Reaching these goals will involve:

• promoting the use of economic policy instruments
• slowing the impoverishment of biodiversity
• curbing eutrophication in the Baltic Sea, and building up adequate capacity to prevent oil pollution
• reducing the amounts of waste generated in relation to economic growth
• reducing the harmful affects of hazardous and dangerous substances
• preparing to influence the setting of targets for the next phase of the implementation of the UN Climate Protocol, and then carrying out the necessary measures 

The tasks of Finland’s various environmental authorities

The Ministry of the Environment defines environmental policies, sets administrative controls and makes strategic plans at national level. The Ministry also sets targets for environmental protection, drafts and devel-ops environmental legislation, and oversees international co-operation.

The Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) produces and compiles environmental data, and develops new ways to protect water, the air and the soil, to improve waste management, and to improve the management of wastes and the supervision of chemicals. The institute also provides experts to participate in the drafting of environmental legislation.

Centres for economic development, transport and the environment implement environmental protection measures and ensure that environmental legislation is observed in their respective areas. 

The Regional State Administrative Agencies deal with permits for larger and medium-sized industrial plants, and permits issued under the Water Act. They also process environmental permits for waste processing facilities, and restoration permits for contaminated sites.

Municipalities promote and supervise environmental protection on a local scale. They also issue any environmental permits needed by smaller plants and facilities.

The provincial government of the autonomous Åland Islands fulfils all the functions of the Ministry of the Environment within the Åland Islands, with the exception of international co-operation.