Current projects
Completed projects
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Climate policy justice
Justice is central to climate policy, since the transition to a carbon-neutral society requires significant systemic changes for instance in energy, food and transportation systems. It is important to ensure that the change is implemented fairly, meaning that no one is left behind or suffers unreasonably from the change.
Objectives: In the project, a just transition is understood to comprise four dimensions. Distributive justice draws attention to the fair distribution of the impact of policy measures between regions, groups of people and individuals. Procedural justice considers the equal opportunities of people to participate in decision-making and to influence the planning and implementation of change. Recognition justice means, for example, considering different worldviews, power structures and lifestyles. Restorative justice focuses on mitigating the unwanted distributional effects of policy.
In practice: The project clarifies the dimensions of just transition in terms of both climate change mitigation and adaptation, and develops a framework to support the formulation, implementation and evaluation of climate policy. In addition, the project examines the effects of climate policy, especially from the perspective of basic and human rights. The focus is on energy, transport and food sectors, as well as regional issues. Justice concerning the Sámi as an indigenous people is examined separately.
- The Finnish Climate Change Panel, Report 3/2023: Evaluation of justice in climate policy (pdf)
- The Finnish Climate Change Panel, Publication 5/2021: Discussion paper: How to consider justice in climate policy? (pdf)
All publications available in Finnish.
Further information:
Paula Kivimaa
Research Professor
Finnish Environmental Institute (SYKE)
paula.kivimaa@syke.fi +358 29 525 1283 -
A pathway for reducing net emissions in Finland – the Climate Change Panel’s proposal for including targets on emissions and sinks in the Climate Change Act
Final reports available in Finnish
Further information:
Markku Ollikainen
Research Director, Professor Emeritus
University of Helsinki
markku.ollikainen@helsinki.fi, +358 50 415 1201 -
Contribution of consumers to climate change mitigation and the Finnish climate policy
Final reports available in Finnish
Further information:
Jyri Seppälä
Research Professor
Finnish Environmental Institute (SYKE)
jyri.seppala@syke.fi +358 40 740 1708 - Information needs, claims and beliefs related to the climate impact aspects of forest utilization – scientific bases and interpretation
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Electrification in energy systems - the effect on CO2 emissions reductions
Final reports available in Finnish
Further information:
Peter Lund
Professor
Aalto University
peter.lund@aalto.fi +358 40 515 0144 -
Adapting to climate change in Finland - regional dimensions and policy instruments
Final report available in Finnish: Ilmastonmuutokseen sopeutumisen ohjauskeinot, kustannukset ja alueelliset ulottuvuudet
Further information:
Hannele Korhonen
Research Professor, Director of Climate Research Programme
Finnish Meteorological Institute
+358 29 539 2135 -
Options for future peatland use in carbon neutral Finland
Final report available in Finnish: Turvemaiden käytön vaihtoehdot hiilineutraalissa Suomessa
Further information:
Kristiina Lång
Research Professor
Natural Resource Institute Finland (Luke)
kristiina.lang@luke.fi +358 29 532 6474 -
A pathway for reducing net emissions in Finland – the Climate Change Panel’s proposal for including targets on emissions and sinks in the Climate Change Act
Final reports in Finnish:
Analysis and recommendations for emissions reduction and net sink targets in the new climate act:
Suomen ilmastopaneelin raportti 1/2021: Ilmastolakiin kirjattavat pitkän aikavälin päästö- ja nielutavoitteet – Ilmastopaneelin analyysi ja suositukset (pdf)
Memo on the design of climate governence in the new climate act:
Suomen ilmastopaneelin julkaisuja 1/2021: Suomen ilmastopaneelin muistio ilmastolain suunnittelu- ja seurantajärjestelmästä (pdf)
Further information:
Markku Ollikainen
Research Director, Professor Emeritus
University of Helsinki
markku.ollikainen@helsinki.fi +358 50 415 1201 -
Consumer perspective in climate policy (2020)
The individual consumer’s impact on climate change prevention has often been underestimated. However, household consumption forms a significant portion of Finland’s GHG emissions, approximately 70 per cent of GHG emissions of final domestic demand (SYKE’s ENVIMAT model).
Objectives: The objective of the project is to clarify and organise the way the consumer perspective is handled in climate policy. The project report provides concrete examples of potential measures for curbing climate change, which can be used in political decision-making. The project focuses on housing, nutrition, mobility and other household product and service chains, including import and export.
In practice: The project commences with a literature review and expert interviews, which are used to document various parties’ understanding of the consumer’s role in curbing climate change. After this, an interactive stakeholder process is initiated, during which three workshops are arranged. The workshop team compiles the investigation results from phases 1–2 into a synthesis, which includes political measures to promote climate action by consumers.
Further information:
Lassi Linnanen
Lappeenranta University of Technology
tel. +358 50 550 3305 -
Memo: Adaptation guidelines in climate policy (2020)
Objectives: The objective of the memo is to help allocate the Climate Panel’s up-coming projects in support of preparing the adaptation policy.
In practice: The background study for the memo includes examining projects by the Climate Panel in the past period of activity, international adaptation literature and other relevant publications. The examination will focus on three themes.
- Challenges in adaptation from the point of view of livelihood and infrastructure
This theme examines cross-sector risks and international cross-border effects in particular. According to the interim review of the adaptation plan (2019) on the status of national adaptation, there were several flaws in the state of preparedness for adaptation in different sectors. Likewise the recognition of international cross-border effects was lacking. The memo will examine these shortcomings within the framework of cross-sector risks and harm adaptation.
- Assessment of the national and international adaptation policy
This theme consists of examining climate risk management and the national adaptation policy. The theme examines the preparedness of the public and private sectors, how responsibility is divided between them and how the adaptation policy will be assessed and monitored. The focus is on the assessment of climate risks, public issues related to the assessment and the implementation of measures by comparing the state of Finland’s adaptation measures to international examples to a suitable extent.
- Health and adaptation
This theme investigates what kinds of adaptation measures are available to prevent the essential health and well-being hazards of climate change; the main emphasis is on the welfare and health sector, but other fields relevant to preventing the hazards are also examined. The theme seeks international examples of adaptation measures on national level and the effectiveness of these measures. The monitoring of the sufficiency of adaptation as well as national information reserves utilised in the monitoring and their potential development needs are investigated.
The parties participating in the project:
University of Helsinki: Sirkku Juhola, Fanny Groundstroem, Janina Käyhkö
National Institute for Health and Welfare: Timo Lanki, Päivi Meriläinen, Virpi Kollanus
University of Jyväskylä: Marja JärveläFurther information:
Timo Lanki
National Institute for Health and Welfare
tel. +358 (0)29 524 6326 - The social acceptability of climate action (2020)
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Overview of national climate change advisory councils (2019)
National climate change advisory councils across the world are formed and function differently. However, what they share are independence, expertise and recommendations that are based on the best available scientific knowledge.
Objectives: This project aims to paint a clear picture of the procedures, backgrounds and mandates of other national climate councils, so that they may be taken into account when planning the Finnish Climate Change Panel’s next term.
You can find the most recent version of the report here
Further information:
Markku Ollikainen
University of Helsinki
tel. +358 50 415 1201 -
Climate change and water management: preparedness and health impacts (2019)
Finnish water management has yet to consider the health impacts of climate change. For example, the rising temperature of surface water and increased rainfall may cause many problems, such as reduced quality of drinking water.
Objectives: The project aims to provide an overview of climate change preparedness in Finland when it comes to water management. The results can be used for the Water Safety Plan (WSP) and future investments plans. The implementation of the project and communication about it increase knowledge on adaptation to climate change in Finland.
In practice: A survey is used to investigate how water supply facilities are prepared to the threats and changes brought on by climate change. The project also aims to model the health impacts of reduced drinking water quality and assesses the costs of health risks and adaptation measures related to water management.
Further information:
Timo Lanki
National Institute for Health and Welfare
tel. +358 29 524 6326 -
The climate and cost effects of electric vehicles for consumers (2019)
Reducing traffic emissions is a key issue if Finland wishes to meet the emission reduction objectives of the EU and adhere to the Paris Agreement. The electrification of private vehicles has been given considerable importance in the transformation process. However, the number of new electric vehicles has been modest so far, partly due to reservations over electric vehicles. The emission benefits have been uncertain, and while car manufacturers are being offered electrical vehicles at an increasing pace, the life cycle costs of electrical vehicles have not been taken into account.
Objectives: The objective of the investigation is to compile information on the climate and other relevant matters regarding electrical vehicles in a clear and easy-to-grasp form and bring them to the attention of consumers and decision-makers. The objective is also to create a basis of knowledge for consumer choices as well as a calculation tool to help analyse the costs and GHG emissions of alternative fuel vehicles for the entire life cycle of the vehicle in a way that is easy to grasp from the consumers’ point of view.
In practice: The project investigates the GHG and cost effects that electrical vehicles intended for consumers have on hybrid, combustion engine and gas-operated vehicles for the entire life cycle of the vehicle. The effects of biofuel are also included. The study is based on information contained in the literature, which will also be used to create a free online application aimed at consumers to support their purchase decisions. The calculation criteria and key results will be made into a separate report.
Further information:
Jyri Seppälä
Finnish Environment Institute
tel. +358 40 7401708 -
Climate education (2019)
The Climate Change Panel’s 2015 report on climate education revealed Finnish climate change education to be lacking.
Objectives: The objective of the project is to help the public, schoolchildren and students get more involved in climate work. The project collects ideas for curbing climate change from young people and helps them adjust to the changes brought on by climate change. Their attitudes and concerns regarding climate change are also explored.
In practice: A Community of Learners is formed, comprising of schoolchildren, students, teachers, climate change education experts, members of the Finnish Climate Change Panel, Arctic Centre staff and teacher trainers. The purpose of the Community is to create new, solution-driven material for climate change education.
Further information:
Ilkka Ratinen
University of Jyväskylä
tel. +358 50 344 9582 -
How much and with whom - perspectives on greenhouse gas emission reductions and relevant actors (2019)
Finland’s emission reductions objectives are impacted by the UN’s climate agreement system, including the Paris Agreement, and the climate actions of the EU. The October 2018 IPCC report on 1.5 degrees and the insights about the actions and effects required by the 2-degree objective, which are gradually becoming more precise, define what kinds of actions the implementation of the Paris Agreement requires, how the climate change curbing policy should be shaped and how challenging adapting to climate change will turn out to be.
Objectives: The objective of the project is to create a clear picture of the science-based messages on the status and needs of curbing climate change and to offer insight about the most important promotional actions to be taken in Finland and other key countries.
In practice: The project examines the progress of the implementation of the Paris Agreement and assesses the willingness to carry out the current internationally defined requirements for countries that are in a key position from the point of view of GHG emissions. In addition, the project considers factors related to generating motivation to take emission reduction measures.
The project will be carried out in four parts. The science-based view of the 1.5 and 2-degree objectives and how to reach them sub-project will examine the current understanding of the required global emission reduction paths and the technological resources for reaching them in the light of currently existing research. The Paris Agreement and climate progress sub-project will examine the progress of the Paris Agreement implementation process and the countries’ political willingness to meet the internationally defined requirements that have already been imposed. The sub-project also assesses the willingness of the key countries to demonstrate their commitment to their promises. The 2050 objectives of Finland sub-project will assess the optional emission reduction paths of Finland and discuss the size of the necessary carbon sink. The climate actions of citizens and communities sub-project will contemplate what kinds of opportunities cities, citizens and communities have to take climate action as well as seek tangible measures to make people more active and cities take progressive decisions.
The result of the project will be an easy-to-grasp report that the Climate Panel plans to use to stir discussion about making more effective climate policies. The project also entails a seminar and other possible events and publications.
Further information:
Kati Kulovesi
University of Eastern Finland
tel. +358 (0)50 439 217 -
Carbon neutrality in climate policy (2019)
Countries, municipalities, companies, organisations and even individuals have set carbon neutrality as their goal in order to reduce their GHG emissions. However, carbon neutrality has not been clearly defined, and different parties interpret the term differently.
Objectives: The project clarifies the term “carbon neutrality”, which is the climate policy goal for countries, municipalities and counties alike, and establishes the rules and compensations related to achieving it. The project examines how carbon neutrality can be achieved on a temporal and regional level and from the perspective of climate agreements. The project also investigates how carbon offsets and various biobased operations affect accomplishing the goal.
In practice: The project investigates three topics. The first one is how carbon neutrality is interpreted and what principles different parties follow in order to achieve it. The second topic is carbon neutrality as a climate policy goal. The third part focuses on the calculation principles and acceptable compensations for emission reduction measures. A stakeholder seminar will be held regarding these results. The fourth part investigates the effects of biobased operations on achieving carbon neutrality. A synthetic report on the project will also be produced.
Further information:
Jyri Seppälä
Finnish Environment Institute
tel. +358 40 7401708 -
LULUCF and forest reference levels (2019)
The LULUCF regulation regulates how the land use sector is included in the targets of the EU 2030 climate and energy framework. The forest reference levels are an estimate of how large the forests’ average, annual actual carbon sink (or emission source) would grow in the periods 2021–2025 and 2026–2030, assuming the member nations follow sustainable forestry practices as was done in the reference period 2000–2009. It is the task and right of member nations to define the forest reference levels by following the LULUCF criteria. The European Commission has published technical guideline for interpreting said criteria.
Objectives: The project clarifies the background of the LULUCF regulation, options for definitions and reasons for differences in measures between countries.
In practice: As a part of the project, the Climate Panel will publish the report “LULUCF and Forest Reference Levels”, which describes the European LULUCF regulation, its processes and related reference calculations in addition to nation-specific examples.
Further information:
Antti Asikainen
Natural Resources Institute Finland
tel. +358 29 532 3250 -
Public participation in climate policy (2019)
Public participation is an important part of the purpose and general objectives of the Climate Change Act. However, the Act does not provide specific instructions on how to promote public participation.
Objectives: The project mission was to clarify the meaning of participation in climate policy. The investigation follows the participation initiatives and climate measures, particularly from the perspective of publicly set goals. It also assesses how climate measures affect the health and well-being of the public.
In practice: The project consisted of three workshops. They dealt with, for example, the impact that climate measures have on the well-being and social equality of the public. The project report includes a summary of the workshop discussions and suggestions for prioritising measures. Two Master’s theses were produced as background reports for the project. One of them discusses the climate action taken by large cities outside the capital region from a participation standpoint. The other one investigates the willingness of companies to participate in climate education.
Further information:
Marja Järvelä
University of Jyväskylä
tel. +358 40 805 4141 -
Climate change and forest damage (2019)
The changing climate influences the sustainability of the forests’ carbon stores and related risks, such as insect damage. The impact of biotic and abiotic damage on the forests’ carbon sequestration capacity is significant and has been predicted to grow in substantionally as the growth environment changes.
Objectives: The project investigates the likelihood and magnitude of forest damage caused by climate change.
In practice: The project summarises what we know about the factors causing forest disturbances and the climate factors that affect the risks of large scale forest disturbances in Finland, the rest of Europe and North America. The project includes a multidisciplinary expert workshop, which investigates the interplay between climate change and forest disturbances. The report “The Impact of Forest Disturbances Risks on Finnish Forest Development” will also be published as a part of the project.
Further information:
Antti Asikainen
Natural Resources Institute Finland
tel. +358 29 532 3250 -
Analysis of similarities and differences between models describing forest development trends (2019)
The use of Finnish forests has been described and simulated using several different models. The results provided by the models vary due to their different implementation and parameters. It is therefore important to compare the different models by using the same primary data in order to understand what causes the differences in results.
Objectives: The objective is to understand how the models describing the carbon balance of Finnish forest utilisation differ from each other. What factors in the models explain the differences?
In practice: The investigation examines the projections made by six different carbon balance development models (EFDM, EFISCEN, FORMIT, MELA, MONSU and PREBAS) using three different logging scenarios (Low approx. 40 mil m3 per year-1, Policy approx. 80 mil m3 per year-1 and Highest sustainable approx. 85 mil m3 per year-1). The period of examination varied between different models, ending either in the year 2065 or 2100. Changes in carbon stores were used to measure carbon balance, with growing carbon stores indicating the forest serves as a carbon sink.
Further information:
Markku Kanninen
University of Helsinki
tel. +358 50 4486 133 -
Drivers for vehicle electrification (2018)
The transport sector is globally one of the sectors causing the most emissions. Curbing the emissions requires new transport solutions, such as switching from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles. Over the recent years, the electric vehicles’ share of the total fleet has been rapidly growing across the world. However, the regional and national differences in the electrification of vehicles are notable.
Objectives: The goal of the project is to generate information and promote penetration of vehicle electrification and the related taxing solutions, financial aid, informative guidance, technical prerequisites and charging infrastructure, as well as the flexibility and storage potential of electric vehicles in the electric market.
In practice: The project has three parts. The first one assesses methods of supporting the acquisition of electric vehicles and promoting their use in Finland cost-efficiently. The second one produces an estimate of the development of charging infrastructure in a way that promotes the popularisation of electric vehicles. The third part generates information on the flexibility potential of electric vehicles in the electric market and assesses the decentralised energy storage potential of electric vehicle batteries.
Further information:
Maria Kopsakangas-Savolainen
University of Oulu
tel. +358 40 187 4284 -
Utilising forest biomass to restrain climate change (2017)
The two-phase project provides an overview of the threats and opportunities of Finnish forest use in curbing climate change.
Objectives: The objective is to clarify unanswered key questions regarding the effects that forest use has on the climate and its cost efficiency in curbing climate change. Points of consensus and dissent are identified, along with the reasonings behind them. A specific goal is to concretise the effects that the upcoming EU regulations for the land use sector will have on the forest use options in Finland. Emphasis will be placed on clear communication and making cause-effect links easier to understand.
In practice: The first phase involves compiling all currently open-ended questions over which there is not yet consensus in the scientific field and for which decision-makers want clear answers. A team of researchers composes reasonings for the differing viewpoints in the field and assesses the need for further in-depth investigation in 2017. During the second phase, Finnish forest use plans, along with their threats and opportunities, are evaluated based on the collected data, data generated during the in-depth investigation and EU’s decisions.
Further information:
Jyri Seppälä
Finnish Environment Institute
tel. +358 40 7401708 -
Achieving transport emission goals 2030 - investigating policy measures (2017)
The purpose of the investigation is to assess the expected emission reduction effects of the transport emission reduction goals outlined in the energy and climate strategy, as well as produce data on the emission reduction potential and cost efficiency of the required emission reduction policy measures. The central idea behind the Panel’s recommendation is directing funds towards developing a more efficient transport system and promoting vehicle electrification instead of supporting renewable fuels.
Further information:
Heikki Liimatainen
Tampere University
tel. +358 40 8490 320 -
Researchers’ central messages about the climate effects of forest use (2017)
The Paris Agreement provides for ambitious climate targets across all sectors, leading to the need to understand the potential use of forests more comprehensively. The Climate Change Panel decided to examine and gather the best available scientific knowledge from leading research scientists on forest use and climate change. The goal was to provide a clear message from the scientific community on what is often considered a discordant public discussion on forest use. Statements were gathered on key issues on forest use and climate change and a scientific expert panel formed. Each statement was then concisely analysed based on the researchers’ views to form a clear policy-relevant response.
Report: Main messages from researchers concerning the climate impacts of forest utilization
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Clean technology solutions: climate and economy (2016)
Cleantech, or clean technology, refers to all products, services, processes and systems that cause less environmental harm than their traditional counterparts. This project of the Climate Change Panel defines the term and examines the role of cleantech in reducing GHG emissions, as well as its potential in benefitting national economy and employment.
Further information:
Markku Ollikainen
University of Helsinki
tel. +358 50 415 1201 -
Climate change risks, costs and responsibilities (2016)
In addition to causing long-term changes, climate change influences the frequency, magnitude and timing of exceptional weather phenomena. These phenomena increase the risks related to the well-being of our society. This project investigates how these risks and related costs and responsibilities are distributed between the public and private sectors. Special attention is paid to assessing the sharing of responsibilities for flood and crop damage.
Further information:
Markku Ollikainen
University of Helsinki
tel. +358 50 415 1201 -
National energy and climate strategy (2013) monitoring (2016)
The special task of the Climate Panel is to monitor the implementation of the national energy and climate strategy, as well as evaluate the consistency of climate policy and the adequacy of its goals and the measures taken. This research project on the strategy investigates its efficiency, strengths and problems. The results of the project provide recommendations for more efficient monitoring of energy and climate policy.
Further information:
Marja Järvelä
University of Jyväskylä
tel. +358 40 805 4141