Sustainability and responsibility in the Border Guard

The Finnish Border Guard’s work for responsibility and sustainable development is carried out in the course of its everyday core and support duties defined by law. The Finnish Border Guard operates in many fields and has a broad impact on people and the environment. This offers a great opportunity to promote responsibility and sustainable development in the fields where the Border Guard is active.

The objectives specified in the performance plan for carrying out its activities responsibly constitute the Border Guard's commitment to sustainable development. Responsibility planning makes the promotion of sustainable development visible. The five sets of sustainability goals identified in the Border Guard's Responsibility Plan are linked to selected United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and indicators are used to monitor their achievement. The plan will be implemented within the limits of the resources allocated to the Border Guard as a part of the Border Guard's operations.

Key tasks with regard to the Sustainable Development Goals that maintain the safety and sense of security of people and uphold equality and justice include border security and maritime search and rescue, maritime environmental damage prevention and supervision of hunting and fishing, among others. Crime prevention contributes to maintaining civil peace and justice. The training system for staff and conscripts supports lifelong learning, equality and equity and makes use of new learning methods. The activities of the Border Guard are organised in accordance with good governance, equality and the promotion of equity. 

The aim of the measures under the Responsibility Plan has been to increase the handprint of the Border Guard’s responsible activities and reduce the footprint of its activities.

Sustainable Development Goals and the measures taken by the Finnish Border Guard 

The Sustainable Development Goals identified in the Responsibility Plan and the Border Guard's goals that specify them. 

Goal 3 Health and well-being

• The aim of maritime search and rescue operations is to ensure that people in distress get help as quickly as possible in emergencies at sea, taking the available resources into account.
• A safe and healthy service environment in the Finnish Border Guard is ensured for those performing their obligatory military service or voluntary military service for women and the development of their physical and mental capacity is supported.

Goal 12 Responsible consumption

• The level of environmental protection required by law is achieved at fuel distribution stations, firing ranges and sites with contaminated soil due to operations.

Goal 13 Climate action

• The carbon dioxide emissions of the Finnish Border Guard are being reduced.

Goal 14 Life below water

• Monitoring the marine environment and investigating ship-source pollution are effective ways of preventing pollution of the marine environment. The preparedness to prevent environmental damage in the open sea is good.
• The sulphur load on the marine environment due to the Border Guard's own activities is reduced further by switching from low-sulphur fuel to biofuels in the vessels (requires additional funding for biofuels).

Goal 16 Peace, justice and good governance

• Ensuring and developing the good governance, legal certainty and internal control of the Finnish Border Guard.
• Fighting cross-border crime effectively.

 

 

The Finnish Border Guard’s responsibility report for 2024 has been published and confirmed as part of the 2024 annual report included in the Finnish Border Guard’s financial statements.