A coalition of environmental and human rights organizations in Finland is taking the government of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo to court over what they perceive as inadequate action to combat climate change. The organizations argue that the government has failed to meet both national and EU climate targets, as outlined in the Climate Change Act that came into effect in July 2022.
Experts have long warned that Finland is at risk of missing its climate targets under current measures, a concern reiterated in the Annual Climate Report released in June. Environment and Climate Minister Kai Mykkänen acknowledged the situation, admitting that the government’s actions have fallen short of expectations, particularly in reducing emissions from the transport sector.
The government’s 2023 program also acknowledged that Finland would not meet the EU’s carbon sink obligation for forests in 2021-25. A report by the Finnish Climate Change Panel highlighted that the government’s actions have led to an increase in transport emissions, further jeopardizing Finland’s ability to meet its climate goals.
To address these concerns, the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation, Greenpeace, Amnesty, the Finnish Nature Association, Finnish Sámi Youth, and Climate Parents Finland have jointly filed a complaint with the Supreme Administrative Court. They are demanding swift and effective action from the government to meet climate targets and prevent further environmental degradation.
One of the key issues highlighted by the organizations is the inadequacy of Finland’s carbon sink, primarily formed by forests. Despite efforts to increase carbon sequestration, the current measures are insufficient to meet climate targets. The government’s failure to update the climate plan for the land use sector, a crucial component for carbon sinks, has further exacerbated the situation.
This legal challenge is not the first of its kind in Finland. A similar complaint was filed against the previous government in 2022, but the Supreme Administrative Court declined to hear the case at that time. However, with more time passed and a growing urgency to address climate change, the organizations believe that the current case meets the criteria for legal action.
In addition to environmental concerns, the organizations are also raising human rights issues in their complaint. They argue that the government’s inadequate climate action poses a threat to the right to life, health, and a clean environment, as established by the European Court of Human Rights in a recent ruling against Switzerland.
The rights of indigenous peoples and children are particularly at risk due to climate change, with vulnerable communities facing disproportionate impacts. The organizations challenging the government believe that the Swiss ruling sets a precedent that will influence the outcome of their case in the Supreme Administrative Court.
Ultimately, the legal challenge represents a significant step towards holding the Finnish government accountable for its climate commitments. If the court decides to hear the case, it could set a precedent for future climate-related lawsuits both in Finland and globally. The organizations involved anticipate that the legal process will take about a year, during which time they hope to see meaningful action taken to address Finland’s climate challenges.