Global mobility and the economy will not be repeated for a long time and the way we live our daily lives may have changed permanently. Yet, in the current context, it is possible to simultaneously promote a green transition and economic recovery from this crisis.
Finland’s ambitious goal is to become carbon neutral by 2035. This requires action in all sectors of society. In order to achieve carbon neutrality, Finland is committed to halving emissions from transport compared to the 2005 level. Our work has been cut for us. At the same time, however, we must ensure that the transition to a lower level takes place in a socially and regionally just way.
Traffic causes about one-fifth of Finland’s greenhouse gas emissions. More than 90 percent of this is due to road traffic, so apparently traffic has the greatest potential to reduce emissions. Therefore, Finland is currently preparing a roadmap for carbon-free transport. This roadmap looks at all the different ways to reduce transport emissions and achieve the targets set.
There are and must be a number of different ways to reduce emissions. We need to increase the use of alternative fuels, modernize our vehicles, develop the energy efficiency of our transport system and, if other means are not enough, set transport and fuel prices in a way that causes lower emissions. In addition, there is a lot of potential in digitalisation and infrastructure development in a way to reduce emissions.
In reducing emissions, it is important to constantly remember how these chosen actions affect people. It is extremely important that no one follows the path of this reform and that no one incurs intolerable costs.
The repeated saying that Finland is a sparsely populated country and long distances is still true. Especially in rural Finland, owning a personal car is still a necessary commodity. Driving is not forbidden, but our goal is to make driving carbon neutral. Nor can we assume that everyone has the opportunity to use a new car with low emissions. The more such cars are available, the faster they will also appear in the used car market at a lower cost.
The transition to sustainable transport brings significant opportunities for both society and the individual. Finland has great potential and a lot of know-how, for example in the production of alternative fuels. Synthetic fuels in particular have considerable potential, taking into account the Finnish export industry.
Even during the current interest rate crisis, we need to look ahead. We now have the opportunity to pursue a policy that takes into account both the climate and the recovery of the world economy. This will benefit future generations in Finland and elsewhere in the world.
Suna Kymäläinen
Suna Ellen Kymäläinen is a Finnish politician who currently represents the constituency of Southeast Finland in the Parliament of the Finnish Social Democratic Party.
This article is written for MP Talk, which is a regular column in the Helsinki Times, where members of the Finnish Parliament share their thoughts and opinions. All opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Helsinki Times.
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Source: The Nordic Page