Minister Marin: Finnish Meteorological Institute’s cutting-edge research provides solutions for reducing land use emissions

"To curb climate change, we need to take quick action to strengthen carbon sinks. Finnish research data can offer solutions for reducing emissions from food production and land use worldwide," says Minister of Transport and Communications Sanna Marin.

On 8 August 2019, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released an extensive report on the greenhouse gas emissions generated by land use.

In Minister Marin's view, the new IPCC report plays an important role in highlighting the effects of emissions caused by land use and food production and in making this issue a more prominent part of the climate discussion. She believes that Finnish research data will prove very beneficial in tackling these questions.

Finnish Meteorological Institute produces leading research data on carbon sinks

"We are in desperate need of more research data, particularly on the workings and development of carbon sinks, so that we can make better-informed decisions and be successful in slowing down the pace of climate change," Minister Marin emphasised.

The Finnish Meteorological Institute, which operates under the Ministry of Transport and Communications, is already conducting cutting‑edge research in the land use sector.

"The Finnish Meteorological Institute's model for calculating the carbon balance of land has been adopted in eight European countries in addition to Finland. We hope to see Finnish model adopted in even more countries. We are strongly committed to international climate research and the work of the IPCC. Research in Finland has focused primarily on identifying carbon sinks and their impact on the global climate system, and on understanding the processes involved with the carbon cycle," says Marin.

Ambitious climate policy backed by the whole government

Minister Marin feels that Prime Minister Rinne's Government Programme has a clear goal of strengthening carbon sinks and reducing emissions from the land use sector. The Government Programme agreed on a comprehensive set of climate measures and on how to fund them.

"I believe that under the leadership of Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Krista Mikkonen, the Ministerial Working Group on Climate and Energy Policy established by the government will get its work off to a good start so that Finland can be a global leader in responsible and effective climate policy," says Marin.

Inquiries:
Henrik Haapajärvi, Special Adviser to the Minister, tel. + 358 50 339 2604