Under the Climate Change Act, the Government will submit to Parliament each year an annual climate change report, which is used to monitor the general trends in emissions and the achievement of emissions reduction targets included in the medium-term plan for climate change policy. The report will also contain an overview of policy measures and an assessment of the status of implementation of the adaptation plan.

This report explores progress towards fulfilling the obligations set for the effort sharing sector and the overall emissions trend in relation to the 2035 carbon neutrality target. Based on preliminary data, Finland is on track to fulfil its obligation for the 2013–2020 period. In 2020, emissions were especially reduced by the enhanced guiding effect of emissions trading and by the coronavirus pandemic.

In recent years, emissions have not decreased as fast in the effort sharing sector as in the emissions trading sector. According to proxy estimates, however, last year saw positive emission trends. The situational picture is currently incomplete and will be refined later.

The European Union has decided to tighten the 2030 target. Related legislative proposals will be published during this coming summer. The measures thus far planned by Finland are insufficient to achieve a stricter emissions reduction target. Additional measures will be incorporated into the new Medium-term Climate Change Policy Plan and Climate and Energy Strategy that are currently being prepared. These will be required to achieve both the 2030 target and the 2035 carbon neutrality target.