EU recovery instrument seen as big opportunity

The Ministerial Working Group on Climate and Energy Policy on Wednesday termed the European Union’s recovery instrument as a unique opportunity to accelerate the transition towards carbon-neutral mobility.

The committee discussed how the EU’s new recovery instrument could support a transition towards a carbon-neutral Finland, said the Ministry of the Environment in a press release.

“The EU’s recovery instrument is a unique opportunity to accelerate the transition towards carbon-neutral mobility, heating, and industry. It is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss,” said Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Krista Mikkonen.

In July, the member states of the European Union agreed on the EU’s multiannual financial framework and its climate element. At least 30 per cent of the financial framework and the recovery instrument must support climate goals and all funding must support the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

The working group approved the national targets for public wood construction to be published on 8 September. There will be quantitative targets for all public new construction and for types of public buildings, such as buildings used in education, teaching, and healthcare. Since this spring the Government Wood Building Programme coordinated by the environment ministry has been working with the stakeholders concerned to formulate the targets. One of the aims of the government programme is to double the use of wood in construction during this government’s term.