In Finnish Lapland, Tiina Sanila-Aikio, former president of the Finnish Sami parliament, has witnessed a record-hot, dry summer in the region. This warming trend is visibly affecting the Sami homeland, where conifer trees are turning orange, and the typically lush moss is drying out. These boreal forests and peatlands, which are critical for absorbing carbon, form part of Finland’s natural carbon sink. However, the impacts of climate change, paired with human activities like logging and peatland degradation, are causing Finland’s carbon sink to shrink rapidly.
Finland, with nearly 70% of its land covered by forests and peatlands, passed a law to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035—15 years ahead of many EU nations. Initially, it seemed feasible, as Finland’s carbon sink historically absorbed more CO₂ than it emitted. Yet, since 2010, these carbon-absorbing capacities have diminished dramatically, and by 2018, the once-reliable land sink had entirely disappeared. Today, Finland’s land sector has shifted from being a net carbon sink to a net emitter, offsetting its 43% reduction in emissions across other sectors and bringing net emissions back to early 1990s levels.
The decline of Finland’s carbon sink has far-reaching consequences. Around 118 countries, including Finland, rely on natural carbon sinks to meet global climate targets. The rapid deterioration of Finland’s forests, driven by drought, warming soils, and logging pressures, is part of a broader trend across Europe, where natural sinks are struggling under climate and industrial stresses. Across the EU, for example, carbon absorption from land has decreased by about one-third between 2010 and 2022. As Johan Rockström of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research notes, these changes present a significant challenge to climate policies that depend on carbon sinks, especially in northern countries.
In Finland, the factors behind this collapse are multifaceted. Extensive logging, including of ancient forests, releases large amounts of stored carbon. Peatlands, which naturally sequester carbon, are breaking down due to higher temperatures, releasing CO₂ into the atmosphere. This rapid degradation is particularly troubling in Lapland, where enormous mounds of frozen peat, called palsas, are disappearing. Southern Finland has seen increased tree mortality rates, exacerbated by rising temperatures and prolonged drought. Notably, from 2017 to 2023, the amount of decaying deadwood in southeastern Finland rose by nearly 900%.
Efforts to restore Finland’s carbon sink face economic resistance, as curbing logging would reduce GDP by an estimated €1.7–5.8 billion annually, according to the Finnish finance ministry. Nonetheless, researchers advocate for stricter protections, sustainable forest management, and reduced peatland exploitation to help revive natural sinks. However, industry groups argue that these solutions could hurt the economy and emphasize that fossil fuels, not forestry, remain the largest threat to climate goals.
For Sami communities and other local inhabitants, these ecological changes are already altering traditional ways of life. Sanila-Aikio worries about the coming winter, as fewer mushrooms and vegetation may leave reindeer populations struggling to survive. Overall, the situation in Finland illustrates the urgent need for a balanced approach that prioritizes the preservation of natural carbon sinks while addressing economic considerations in climate policy.