Government foresight report on climate and energy policy

Background

 

During its term of office, the Government submits to Parliament a report on the long-term future. Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen’s second Government will draw up a foresight report on climate and energy policy. The report is to be submitted to Parliament during autumn 2009.

 

Climate change is one our greatest challenges and an effective response to this challenge requires globally coordinated policies. The Government Programme emphasises that Finland, together with the rest of the European Union, must bear substantial responsibility for the efforts to curb climate change. At the same time, action must be taken to adapt to climate change.

 

The aim of the report is to serve decision making in various sectors. The report is to outline long-term climate and energy policies and propose measures for action. The timescale of the report will extend until the mid-century and cover both control of climate change and adaptation to its effects. In addition to energy production, the report will examine the use of energy, traffic, the role of forests in curbing greenhouse gases and other key areas related to emissions. The foresight report offers both a national and global perspective to the issue.

 

A long-term climate and energy strategy will also be drawn up in line with the Government Programme. The strategy will define the primary objectives and methods of Finland’s climate and energy policy in the context of the European Union and its aspirations. The preparation of the foresight report and the climate and energy strategy are to be mutually supportive processes.

 

The schedule of the foresight report is to enable the provision of material and proposals for action in winter 2008.  The foresight report will take into account the policies outlined in the Government climate and energy strategy and the results of the ensuing parliamentary discussion.

 

Various involved parties will be widely consulted during the preparation of the report and the aim is to stimulate discussion among citizens.  Citizens' participation will be encouraged, for example, through on-line tools.