National Strategy for the Prevention of and Response to Environmental Damage extending to 2035

The main objective of the strategy is to guide and support authorities' preparedness work in relation to pollution events occurring both now and in the future. The strategy has been prepared through broad-based collaboration with key actors with a basis on the operating environment.

The strategy’s vision is based on Finland being a leading expert and frontrunner in marine pollution response in the Baltic Sea region – a country which invests steadily in marine pollution prevention and response and in the development and maintenance of response preparedness. This requires that the resources of the actors involved in this work are sufficient for effectively managing the entire process. The work as a whole must be well planned, with clear instructions provided and clear assignment of different responsibilities.

The strategy supports the authorities in their preparedness work, sets requirements for operational planning and demonstrates the country’s resolve to support resource planning. The actors have their own responsibility to carry out their obligations and implement the strategy within their own preparedness work. The authorities responsible are tasked with coordinating the activities in such a way that the response operations initiated in the event of marine pollution lead to a common objective. The performance requirements for pollution response efforts must be based on national, regional and local risk assessments of oil and chemical spills. Monitoring of strategy implementation is handled by the National Advisory Board for Prevention of Marine Oil and Chemical Damage, which is appointed by the Ministry of the Interior.