Finland's nature restoration plan faces criticism over funding and policy

The Finnish Environment Institute (Syke) has criticized the government's draft national nature restoration plan, noting the absence of the ‘polluter pays’ principle. Under the current draft, restoration efforts are voluntary for private landowners and primarily funded through state incentives and EU support. The plan estimates an annual cost of 1.2 billion euros, with the state covering 900 million euros.

Experts suggest that implementing harm fees—such as land-use change fees—could incentivize the reduction of biodiversity loss and lower state costs by making those who damage nature, such as developers, responsible for the costs.

Legal expert Tuomas Pöysti highlighted that Finland has significant national flexibility under EU restoration regulations. This flexibility involves how nature types are defined and how restoration measures are prioritized. He noted that while ecological grounds must remain the primary basis for defining nature types, regional, economic, and social aspects can be considered during the implementation and selection of measures. Proper use of this flexibility is seen as crucial for balancing environmental goals with land use and the timber trade.