The first steps have been taken in climate action, halting biodiversity loss and advancing the green transition, but recently the political climate around the necessity of the green transition has shifted dramatically. The United States is resisting and supporting the continued use of fossil fuels, and even within the EU the green transition is no longer as central in policymaking. At the same time, emissions in China have begun to decline despite ongoing economic growth, due to massive investments in renewable energy. For Finland and the EU, the need to increase self‑sufficiency in energy and resources adds another layer of tension, but it can also support the shift toward renewable energy and a circular economy. From a long‑term perspective, it is clear that delaying climate and environmental action only pushes us closer to tipping points and undermines the foundations of future wellbeing.