Finland's nature restoration plan faces criticism over forest targets

Finland’s draft national nature restoration plan is facing significant criticism from environmental organizations and research institutes for being insufficient to meet the requirements of the EU Nature Restoration Law.

Critics, including WWF Finland and the Finnish Environment Institute (Syke), argue that the plan lacks concrete targets, particularly regarding forest ecosystems, which cover the majority of the country. WWF Finland has noted that the current preparation is flawed and calls for more transparency, stating that providing only summaries for consultation does not follow democratic principles. They emphasize that restoration is a tool to mitigate risks like droughts and forest damage rather than just a cost.

Furthermore, the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) and other authorities have described the document as more of a strategic paper than an actionable plan. They point out that the absence of specific definitions for forest habitats and criteria for good ecological status makes it impossible to assess the actual restoration needs or the adequacy of proposed measures. Experts warn that without significant improvements and more decisive action on land use and forestry, Finland will fail to meet its restoration targets for 2030, 2040, and 2050.