Finland unveils climate and energy strategy

2653, 07/11/08

The Finnish government has drawn up a detailed strategy for reducing national greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.  The strategy (EED 29/09/08 http://www.endseuropedaily.com/articles/index.cfm?action=article&ref=26245) also briefly outlines carbon reduction goals for 2050. 

Another objective of the strategy is to secure energy supplies to meet the needs of Finland's carbon-intensive industries while reducing emissions to help meet EU climate objectives. The plan is expected to be rubber-stamped by the Finnish parliament later this autumn.

According to the strategy, decisions on planned nuclear plants should be made by 2011.  Finland is considering building more nuclear reactors to replace old fossil fuel-fired power plants.  There are plans for at least three more news plants in addition to the controversial Olkiluoto 3 reactor, which is due to be completed by 2012 (EED 14/09/05 http://www.endseuropedaily.com/articles/index.cfm?action=article&ref=19405).

The strategy outlines actions to meet Finland's renewables target for 2020 proposed by the European commission in January (EED 23/01/08 http://www.endseuropedaily.com/articles/index.cfm?action=article&ref=24683).  Major increases are envisaged for wind power, wood energy, waste combustion, ground-source heat pumps and biogas.

Feed-in tariffs will be established for wind power and biogas from 2010, and later possibly also for wood energy.  New taxation and subsidy policies will favour fuel-efficient, hybrid and electric vehicles and public transport.  And greater efficiency will be promoted through tighter controls over new buildings and subsidies for thermal renovations.

The Finnish industry welcomed the strategy's emphasis on energy security, but stressed the government had underestimated future demand.  Targets for energy efficiency are "extremely challenging", it says. 

Green groups welcomed the fact that the government did not propose new major hydropower projects.  But they insisted no further nuclear capacity was needed and criticised continued subsidies for energy production using peat.

Follow-up: Government press release http://www.tem.fi/?89521_m=93164&l=en&s=2471 and abstract of

strategy http://www.tem.fi/files/20587/Climate_Change_and_Energy_Strategy_2008_summary.pdf (both in English).  See also reactions from Confederation of Finnish Industries http://www.ek.fi/www/en/index.php?we_objectID=8554 and WWF http://www.wwf.fi/wwf/www/uploads/pdf/wwf_response_to_climate_and_energy_strategy_061108.pdf.

ENDS Europe Daily is Europe's leading environmental news service. A free trial is available by clicking on the following link:http://www.endseuropedaily.com/web/helcom.