Ministry of the Environment

In addition to the ministry itself, the administrative sector of the Ministry of the Environment includes the Finnish Environment Institute (Syke) and the Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland (ARA). The ministry also directs and funds the Natural Heritage Services of Metsähallitus, the state enterprise that administers state-owned forest and land areas. In matters falling within its remit, the Ministry of the Environment also directs the Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment and the Regional State Administrative Agencies.

Ministry of the Environment – working together for a better future

The Ministry of the Environment is a leader in securing sustainable development and a good living environment and in protecting biodiversity for both current and future generations. Our activities are guided by our values: openly transparent, recognised expertise and a responsible shaper of the future.

Our scope of activities covers environmental protection, land use, nature conservation, as well as housing and construction. Under these activities, our responsibilities include the preparation of statutes, international cooperation, and operational and financial planning.

Statistically, a "typical" employee of the Ministry of the Environment is an over 45-year-old woman with a higher academic degree. In fact, the Ministry of the Environment’s staff is one of the most highly educated among all government offices. The number of young employees has also increased significantly in recent years.

The Ministry of the Environment offers an excellent basis for career development, regardless of age or background. After all, our rich working culture is a direct result of the wide range of different tasks and people: the Ministry of the Environment offers equally challenging and enjoyable tasks for engineers, economists, lawyers, environmental and political scientists, as well as professionals who specialise in administrative assistance, and many others.

The Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Culture and Housing lead the Ministry of the Environment, while the Permanent Secretary serves as the highest-ranking public official. Matters are prepared within the ministry's departments and units: the Department of the Natural Environment, the Department of the Built Environment, the Environmental Protection Department, the Administrative Unit, the Unit for International and EU Affairs, and the Communications Unit.

We work both in Finland and internationally on ever-topical, important issues. Green growth, climate change, the Baltic Sea, nature reserves, building regulations or living conditions — the Ministry of the Environment has an endless range of subjects to work on.

Come and join us!