Compared to many European cities, the levels of air pollutants are low in Finland. In recent decades, both emissions and levels of pollutants have for the most part decreased. As a whole, the situation with respect to air pollution control is good, but atmospheric pollution still causes health and environmental harm in Finland as well.

In accordance with the EU Directive on the reduction of national emissions of certain atmospheric pollutants (National Emission Ceilings Directive 2016/2284), Finland drew up the National Air Pollution Control Programme 2030 in 2019. The programme sets out the measures by which the emission reduction commitments for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, fine particulate matter and ammonia laid down in the directive are implemented. The National Emission Ceilings Directive obliges Member States to update their national air pollution control programmes at least every four years. This is the first update of Finland’s National Air Pollution Control Programme 2030. The emission inventories, emission scenarios, air quality data, and information on the national policy framework, division of responsibilities and ecosystem monitoring have been updated. The National Air Pollution Control Programme adopted in 2019 remains in force and this update will be read side by side with it.

The implementation of the programme is progressing as planned and in a well-organised manner. The impacts are monitored through emission inventories, air quality monitoring and ecosystem monitoring.

The emission inventory data shows that in 2020 Finland achieved all emission reduction commitments with respect to air pollutants listed in the National Emission Ceilings Directive. Based on the scenario calculations, Finland should meet the new stricter emission reduction commitments in 2030 as well. This is why the update report does not propose any new measures to reduce emissions. The implementation of the additional measures included in the National Air Pollution Control Programme adopted in 2019 will continue. The implementation of the separate programme to reduce ammonia emissions from agriculture will continue as well.