Chairman of the Center Party Annika Saarikko On Sunday, Finland had reduced the burning of peat too quickly.
According to Saarikko, measures to eliminate peat as an energy source, including raising the energy tax on peat, have been effective to the extent that Finland will achieve its goal of halving the use of peat for energy in 2022, eight years ahead of schedule.
Peat accounts for 4-6 per cent of energy production in Finland, but its share of emissions from energy production is 12-15 per cent.
Heating and jobs
Writing on the Central Party’s website, Saarikko said small municipal heating plants have not had enough time to switch from peat, which requires expensive investments that could increase heating costs, according to Saarikko, whose party has traditionally represented rural communities.
Saarikko demands a one-time compensation package for peat producers as well as partial compensation for unsold peat stocks. He said people need to feel that justice is part of the fight against climate change.
The Finnish Bioenergy Association has estimated that about 1,700 people work directly in peat production and transportation, mainly in northern Finland.
The Green Party has opposed the burning of peat in particular and has called on Finland to stop burning peat according to the agreed timetable.
Gradual transition
Finland’s climate and geography favor the formation of bogs and peat, and peat is mainly used in Finland as a source of heat and electricity.
However, the use of abundant natural resources has declined sharply since the peak years of the 21st century, mainly due to the tightening of EU emissions trading and the significant increase in the use of waste wood.
Last year, Sitra’s report stated that in 2018, peat fuel burned "causes almost 12% of all greenhouse gas emissions in Finland," the figure is higher than the total emissions from passenger cars.
Next week’s government economic negotiations will look at the burning of peat in Finland. The center-left cabinet, whose minister is Science and Culture Saarikko, is committed to halving the use of peat as an energy source by 2030 as part of an emission reduction program.
Source: The Nordic Page