Long history of agreements
Over three decades of working together
From support for energy audits to the 2026–2035 agreement period. Scroll through the timeline to follow the development of Finland’s Energy Efficiency Agreements.
Building a common foundation
Energy audits, pilot programmes and the UN Climate Change Convention lay the foundation for the agreement scheme.
Introduction of support for energy audits
Piloting of the energy efficiency programme
Piloting of the energy efficiency programme for industry and municipalities.
UN Climate Change Convention
The first agreement period
Energy Saving Agreements, investment support and monitoring are introduced.
The first agreement period begins
Launch of Energy Saving Agreements 1997–2005.
Support for energy efficiency investments
Implementation of the monitoring system
Extension period
From Energy Saving Agreements towards the next phase.
Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) (2002/91/EC)
Kyoto Protocol
The Energy Saving Agreement period ends.
The scheme expands
New sectors join the scheme. Continuous improvement becomes the basis for the agreements.
The second agreement period begins
Business service sectors join the scheme. Sector-specific action plans are introduced as part of the new agreements. Continuous improvement becomes the basis for the agreements.
Energy Services Directive (ESD) (2006/32/EC)
Property sector joins
The Energy Efficiency Agreement for the property sector is launched.
Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) (2010/31/EU)
Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) (2012/27/EU)
Paris Agreement
Energy Efficiency Act (1429/2014)
Agreement period ends
The 2008–2016 Energy Efficiency Agreement period ends.
Energy transition accelerates
The agreement scheme continues in a changing operating environment.
The third agreement period begins
Energy Efficiency Agreements 2017–2025 are launched.
European Green Deal
Low-carbon roadmaps for industrial sectors
EU Climate Law and Fit for 55 package
Energy crisis and REPowerEU
Carbon-neutral Finland 2035 – National Climate and Energy Strategy.
Revised Energy Efficiency Directive
EED.
Update of low-carbon roadmaps
Update of low-carbon roadmaps for industrial sectors.
Revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
EPBD.
Agreement period ends
Update of the National Energy and Climate Strategy. The 2017–2025 Energy Efficiency Agreement period ends.
A new period, a shared goal, a strong team
A new Energy Efficiency Agreement period begins.
The fourth agreement period begins
Energy Efficiency Agreements 2026–2035 are launched.
Revised Energy Efficiency Act (1382/2025)
EU energy efficiency targets tightened during the 2017–2025 agreement period
The European Green Deal, published in 2019, made energy efficiency a central element of the transformation of the EU’s energy system. Its objectives were implemented through the “Fit for 55” package published in 2021, which also initiated the revision of the Energy Efficiency Directive. The EU aimed to reduce energy consumption, tighten energy-saving obligations, and apply the “energy efficiency first” principle.
In the wake of the 2022 energy crisis, the EU’s REPowerEU plan further accelerated measures to improve energy efficiency and reinforced the role of energy efficiency in the transformation of the energy system.
Towards the end of the period, in 2023, the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) were revised. These revisions tightened targets and nationally binding obligations while strengthening the “energy efficiency first” principle.
In response to stricter EU regulations, Finland revised its Energy Efficiency Act, which entered into force at the beginning of 2026. Energy efficiency agreements remained a vital part of the energy and climate strategy, as well as a key, flexible tool for implementing the obligations of the revised Energy Efficiency Directive and achieving national energy-saving targets.