Finland’s indisputable strength in halting the loss of biodiversity is our comprehensive understanding of nature, which provides us with a precise picture of the causes of biodiversity loss and the tools needed to solve it. In other words, Finland has what it takes to lead the way in the recovery of biodiversity – but this will require more determined action, says Ilari E. Sääksjärvi, Professor of Biodiversity Research.
Finland is internationally known for its ruggedly enchanting landscapes. Finland’s relationship with nature is also reflected in Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government Programme, which aims to halt the loss of biodiversity and transform Finland into a nature-positive society that will be able to restore its original level of biodiversity.
Stopping the loss of biodiversity and creating a nature-positive society are also the main objectives of Finland’s soon-to-be-finalised national biodiversity strategy. While it is evident that the level of ambition is high, both domestically and internationally, the question remains: Can these targets truly be achieved in practice?
Biodiversity refers to life in all its many shapes and forms. In recent years, the decline in biodiversity due to human activity has become a key point of discussion alongside climate change. This trend has been fuelled by a rapidly growing awareness that a healthy level of biodiversity is crucial for safeguarding the health, safety, and economic wealth of humanity. The benefits of biodiversity are also key for ensuring Finland’s emergency supplies and resilience to change in times of global uncertainty. The World Economic Forum has highlighted climate change and the loss of biodiversity as the most serious threats facing humanity in the next decade.
Of the 48,000 species living in Finland, less than half have been studied thoroughly enough to assess their endangerment status in accordance with international criteria.
The unfortunate fact is that humanity has not been able to halt the pace at which biodiversity loss continues to spread across the world. This is the result of a multitude of factors, and in particular a lack of country-specific binding obligations, systematic monitoring, and adequate funding. Finland, too, has allowed its level of biodiversity to deteriorate for decades without enacting sufficient measures to restore what has been lost.
Of the 48,000 species living in Finland, less than half have been studied thoroughly enough to assess their endangerment status in accordance with international criteria. According to a report published in 2019, 11.9% of these species are at risk. At the same time, 48% of the 414 Finnish habitat types, which are characterised by their typical features and species, have become endangered.
The greatest causes of biodiversity loss in Finland and around the world are land and water use, the unsustainable exploitation of species, climate change, environmental pollution, and invasive alien species introduced to new areas as a result of human activity. The driving force behind these root causes is overconsumption. In Finland, the greatest cause of biodiversity loss is forest management, which is the primary force behind the endangerment of 733 species as well as a threat to a further 1420 species.
The situational picture painted by endangerment reports is in line with the extensive nature survey published by the Finnish Nature Panel in December 2023. The State and Future of Finnish Nature report focused on the development of the state of Finnish nature between 2000 and 2018 and used a variety of scenarios to assess the impacts of nature-improvement measures between 2020 and 2035. The goal was to identify policy measures that would allow Finland to achieve the main objectives of its Government Programme, international commitments (EU Biodiversity Strategy, COP15 Biodiversity Framework), and the draft national biodiversity strategy. According to the report, there is a significant gap between Finland’s nature-related objectives and the current measures implemented to achieve them.
As it stands, Finland’s current situation warrants concern, as not enough efforts have been made to halt the loss of biodiversity. Bridging this gap requires a more long-term biodiversity policy. If Finland wishes to achieve the goals of its Government Programme and international commitments, it must focus on the measures that have been found effective. Furthermore, to resource them adequately, increase the size of protected areas in accordance with international commitments, and improve the state of Finnish nature outside these protected areas. We must remember that even if more areas are protected, most of Finland’s surface area will still be used for commercial purposes. How these areas are used will play an important role in the recovery of Finland’s biodiversity.
There is a significant gap between Finland’s nature-related objectives and the current measures implemented to achieve them.
Finland’s undeniable strength in halting the loss of biodiversity is its knowledge of nature that it has accumulated systematically over a lengthy period of time. Compared to many other countries, Finland’s knowledge of the state of its natural habitats and the changes in them is exceptionally thorough. This knowledge has allowed Finland to create a detailed picture of the causes of its biodiversity loss and the tools needed to solve the situation. In other words, Finland has an opportunity to lead the way in the worldwide recovery of biodiversity, should it be up to the challenge.
In addition to governments, other parties must bring their efforts to the table. From my perspective as a biodiversity researcher, it has been particularly gratifying to see how corporations and investors have taken determined measures to reduce the harm that they inflict on nature. We can also see the rise in nature-related themes in the biodiversity roadmaps that have been created in different fields, and these are important for leading the way towards more nature-friendly approaches. At this point in time, there is plenty of room for new, pioneering activities that aim to stop biodiversity loss, and it is worthwhile for different fields and sectors to strive for these roles.
We have not lost the fight yet, and the Finnish Nature Panel’s latest report also contains a message of hope. With significant additional measures and investments, we can still alter our course so that biodiversity will begin to recover by 2035. However, there is no time to waste, because the longer we allow the loss of biodiversity to continue, the greater the price tag for stopping it will be.
Halting the loss of biodiversity is the protection of life, and I can scarcely imagine a more important goal.
