Climate change and sustainable use of natural resources

Finland promotes the sustainable use of natural resources and supports low-emission and climate-resilient development.

 

Finland’s objectives in development policy priority area on climate change and sustainable use of natural resources

• Create equal opportunities for sustainable and climate-friendly food production and access to safe and nutritious food. Finland aims to secure land tenure rights of smallholders and local communities, and supports smallholders’ and SMEs’ employment opportunities and participation in value chains. Finland increases women’s access to agricultural education, inputs and information, and makes farmers and the authorities better equipped to improve food quality and safety.
• Ensure equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water and to adequate sanitation and hygiene. Finland works towards improving the health and status of all people, especially women and children, by providing access to safe drinking water and better sanitation and hygiene in homes, schools and health centres. By improving access to water, better sanitation and hygiene, Finland contributes to the prevention of pandemics and preparedness for humanitarian crises.
• Reduce the vulnerability of people and communities to extreme weather events and natural disasters and increase their resilience. Finland supports its partner countries in improving their weather and climate services and early warning systems. Partner countries prepare national and local disaster risk reduction plans.
• Promote equitable access to affordable, reliable and sustainably produced renewable energy. Finland works with the public and private sectors to help them create energy solutions that will benefit everyone, including women and the poorest households. Support is offered especially to early-stage companies to help them create and develop energy services and products that utilise renewable energy sources and that are intended for companies and communities off the main grid. With Finland’s support, households, communities and authorities can improve their capability to adopt resource-efficient, circular economy -based energy solutions.
• Foster the sustainable management, use and protection of renewable natural resources and ecosystems, such as forests and water systems. Finland advocates participatory land tenure and sustainable land use plans because they can be used to protect biodiversity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate climate change and enhance climate adaptation. Finland supports the participation of smallholders and SMEs in value chains and facilitates their market access. Finland offers more opportunities for the citizens of developing countries to access better information about agricultural and forest resources.

Meeting the objectives of this priority area will not only help to boost our climate efforts and management of natural resources, but also to improve the status and rights of women and girls, economically sustainable development, democracy and good governance.

Food security, clean water, renewable energy solutions and sustainable forest management complement each other in achieving sustainable development. Finland supports this multi-sectoral approach, which improves the outcomes of development projects. Food insecurity, water shortage and poor sanitation are known to trigger migration, which is why it is especially important to pay attention  these issues – and access to energy –  in humanitarian crises.

Finland’s efforts to further its objectives include dialogue and advocacy work in its partner countries, the European Union, the UN, development finance institutions, climate and environment funds and other international organisations. In particular, supporting the sustainable management of natural resources, effective implementation of international environmental agreements, and the promotion of human rights, equality and non-discrimination are important topics for Finland. Finland’s reputation for its excellent natural resource and environmental management skills helps it to keep these themes in spotlight.

The interlinkages and synergies between the targets in this priority area are instrumental for climate change mitigation and adaptation. Use of financial instruments and partnerships must be consistent and complementary. Coherence and coordination between development policy and other policies, such as trade policy, is a key requirement for sustainable results.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Finland’s objectives in development policy priority area on climate change and sustainable use of natural resources support the UN Sustainable Development Goals 1 (no poverty), 2 (zero hunger), 6 (clean water and sanitation), 7 (affordable and clean energy), 13 (climate action), and 15 (life on land), and the goals of the Paris Agreement.