Global problems related to natural resources and the environment, like climate change and decline in biodiversity, have resulted in international agreements aimed at preserving natural resources, their renewing capacity and the quality of the environment. The World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in 2002 reaffirmed sustainable development as a central element of the international agenda and gave new impetus to global action to fight poverty and protect the environment.

The understanding of sustainable development was broadened and strengthened as a result of the Summit, particularly the important linkages between poverty, the environment and the use of natural resources. Commitments by governments and other stakeholders to a broad range of partnership activities and initiatives will all implement sustainable development at the national, regional and international level. Through careful and economical utilisation of natural resources and technological development the future generations will also have access to an adequate amount of natural resources and high-quality environment.

Sustainable use of natural resources is a priority in the Finnish society. Even though the concept of 'sustainable use' varies, the basic principle as such has a long history. In Finland objectives aiming at securing sustainable use have been expressed in the legislation on forestry, fishing and hunting since the 17th century. The tradition to care for the natural resources is closely connected to the ownership of land and water areas. Changes in values and the way of life have been reflected in the use of natural resources. More recently changes in the values can be seen in the public interest in environmental issues, production ethics, purity of foodstuffs, as well as quality of foodstuffs, other products and production methods. Significant efforts have been made to integrate the different aspects of sustainability in practise based on experience and research.

Renewable natural resources, in the field of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, are arable land, species of plants and animals of agriculture and fur farming, forests and timber resources, as well as products picked from forests and peatland, game animals, reindeer, fish, crayfish and water resources. Rural landscape should also be considered a renewable natural resource. The task of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is to promote the sustainable and diversified use of renewable natural resources and the high quality of the goods derived from these. To fulfil this task the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry drew up a Strategy for the Sustainable Use of Renewable Natural Resources in Finland, which was approved in 1997.

In the past five years significant changes have occurred in the society and sectors governed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Consequently, it was considered necessary to update the Natural Resources Strategy to comprise the current requirements and expectations relating to the use of renewable natural resources. The new strategy 2002 also contributes to the implementation of the Finnish Programme for Sustainable Development adopted by the Government in year 1998. In the review of the Natural Resources Strategy, particular attention is directed to the analysis of 1997 Strategy and the changes in the operating environment, as well as the measures, strategies and programmes designed and implemented so far. The new strategy 2002 also includes a vision for 2010 and seven goals based on this vision. According to the current view, the realisation of these goals in co-operation between the administrative sector of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the society as a whole and other actors involved will make sure that our renewable natural resources are utilised in a sustainable way.

Also, as it was required in the Johannesburg World Summit, the key element of this reviewed strategy constitutes to integrate ecological, economic, social and cultural dimensions. The monitoring of the state of natural resources and the strategy is important. Increasing the efficiency and improved orientation of the research is necessary to prepare for environmental changes and to develop measures to alleviate their negative impacts. Indicators for sustainable use of renewable natural resources serving the monitoring of the realisation of the objectives and evaluation are being developed and will be in use by the year 2003.