A new study published by Carbon Gap and Sweco Finland signals that Finland will not be able to meet its ambitious 2035 climate target unless it turns to urgent carbon dioxide removal (CDR) investments and starts harnessing its natural CO2 sinks.
Carbon Gap’s newly published Carbon Removal Readiness Assessment of Finland report and roadmap underscore the need for strong policy signals and funding mechanisms in the country to be able to tap into the full potential of nature-based and engineered CDR solutions.
This report is the first one in a series of evaluations under Carbon Gap’s Carbon Removal Readiness Assessment project, which aims to cover 80% of the European continental carbon removal capability.
In the near future, Carbon Gap will release reports on more European countries.
The report on Finland finds that the country has the necessary assets to lead in a mix of natural and tech-based CDR methods, but it needs further decisive action to support this vision.
Taking into account Finland’s resources and social geography, the publication outlines three possible scenarios, stressing that achieving the national 2035 climate targets will depend on decisions made in relation to land and forest management, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), biochar, and enhanced rock weathering.
Besides presenting these optimistic scenarios, the report also pays attention to the risks of delaying decisions and actions, as well as overrelying on land use only. The issue of limited carbon storage capacity also stands out as one of the major concerns around the large-scale CDR deployment in Finland.
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With these positive and negative considerations at hand, the Carbon Gap report also notes that there is a general public support for CDR solutions in Finland, with both social and political backing currently on the rise.
Interview engagements with citizens showed a favorable attitude towards nature‑based approaches, while on the policymaker side, there are talks of economic support for BECCS in the upcoming Climate and Energy Strategy.
As a general takeaway, the report concludes that Finland has all the building blocks to deploy a robust portfolio of CDR projects, but urgent policy action will be vital for attracting investment, boosting CO₂ infrastructure, and positioning Finland as a leader on a European level.
Read more: New Carbon Gap Report Highlights Opportunities For Turning The UK Into A Leading CDR Hub
