Survey: Finns expect ambitious energy and climate policies

The survey was commissioned by the Finnish Environment Institute to study citizen perceptions on energy and climate policies. It received 2 135 responses and represents the views of the Finnish-speaking adult population living in continental Finland.

“Nearly 80 per cent of respondents see greenhouse gas emission mitigation as an important goal, and over half views that Finland should stick to its climate neutrality goal of 2035. Furthermore, over 60 per cent feel that politicians must do more to combat climate change, ” says research professor Enni Ruokamo from the Finnish Environment Institute.

Security is imperative

More than 80 per cent of respondents agree that energy and climate policies must under no circumstances weaken national security.

”Respondents nearly uniformly agree on the decision to disconnect from Russian energy: 85 per cent of respondents view that Finland must stay detached of Russian energy under all circumstances. Geopolitical uncertainty influences citizens’ energy and climate policy views, and they value self-sufficiency in the new security reality,” researcher Jouni Räihä from the Finnish Environment Institute states.

Focus on private costs and nature  

Up to 86 per cent of respondents feel that costs of energy and climate policies should not become an unreasonable burden for individual private households.

Caring for the environment is also a focal finding of the survey. Almost 70 per cent of respondents agree that the energy and climate policies should especially prioritise nature.  

Division on views of the policies to lower emissions

The most supported greenhouse gas mitigation policies are financial support on emission-abating technologies as well as policies aimed at increasing natural and technical carbon sinks.

The majority also support bans and curtailments on emission-creating activities, but these measures also face some opposition. Carbon taxes and carbon trading are yet somewhat more divisive. The least-favoured policies, however, are the voluntary actions of companies and individuals.

“The Finnish citizens give a clear message. Climate and energy policies need to be ambitious and active; simultaneously, they must ensure national security, to remain affordable relative to household incomes and focus on caring for nature,” says Ruokamo.

The research was done in collaboration with Taloustutkimus, as a part of the NextGenerationEU-funded REPower-CEST-project. The goal of the project is to support national decision making to speed up clear energy system transition.

More information

Research Professor Enni Ruokamo, Finnish Environment Institute (Syke), tel. +358 29 525 2092, firstname.lastname@syke.fi

Researcher Jouni Räihä, Finnish Environment Institute (Syke), tel. +358 29 525 2243, firstname.lastname@syke.fi