Climate change affects people’s health and wellbeing in Finland both directly and indirectly. It is important to be prepared for variations in the weather and climate and for extreme weather and climate conditions and their effects even in the current circumstances. This will also help us adapt to future climate variations and changes. The Adaptation Plan is based on the National Climate Change Adaptation Plan 2022 and the climate change and adaptation work carried out in the healthcare and social welfare sector.

The Adaptation Plan focuses particularly on health protection and the adaptation of healthcare in the administrative branch of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. The aim of the Adaptation Plan is to assess the current state of adaptation and the structures supporting it, to identify current and new adaptation measures in the health and wellbeing sector and to translate the measures into more concrete terms and clarify them in the area of responsibility of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health’s administrative branch. The intention is to introduce the Adaptation Plan to healthcare and social welfare operators and to increase risk awareness in the healthcare and social welfare sector.

The Adaptation Plan contains 43 objectives and 92 recommendations for measures. The measures cover areas relating to environmental health, health and social services (incl. occupational safety and health), social effects, mitigation measures and repercussions. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is responsible for implementing, monitoring and assessing the Adaptation Plan.