Starting on January 1, 2025, Finland will implement the Finnish Environmental Damage Fund, ensuring compensation for environmental damage caused by specific high-risk activities. This initiative aims to shift the financial burden of such damages away from taxpayers and onto the businesses responsible, promoting accountability and sustainability.
The fund will be financed through environmental damage fees collected from operators engaged in activities that pose a pollution risk. These include industries such as mining, waste management, forestry, energy production, and certain agricultural operations. Fees will either be a one-time payment of €400 in 2025 or annual payments ranging between €200 and €30,000, depending on the level of pollution risk.
The Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment of South Ostrobothnia will oversee the fee collection process. Operators subject to the one-time fee will receive payment decisions in 2025, while annual fees will begin in 2026 based on activities conducted the previous year. The collected funds will cover costs related to environmental damage compensation, prevention, and restoration in cases where the responsible party is insolvent or cannot be identified.
In addition, the fund will provide grants for preventative measures to organizations responsible for rescue operations, further supporting environmental protection. The new system replaces Finland’s existing Oil Protection Fund and mandatory environmental damage insurance, establishing a more robust framework for managing environmental risks.
For more details on the fund and the associated fees, visit the official websites: