PASSIONS ends up deep among Scandinavians who have a reputation for their incessant obsession with environmental issues.
The people and governments of these countries are hypersensitive when it comes to keeping their environments clean and green.
It is a value that is permeated by most Scandinavians and I observed this virtue during my four and a half year long stay in Stockholm and traveled all over the Scandinavian countries.
People’s ideals and ethics are in line with environmental protection and national policies and ambitions navigate in this direction.
Environmental issues are deeply rooted in the policies and expenditures of the desired infrastructure in all countries.
Environmentally friendly policies are implemented to protect the environment for the present and future.
Sweden introduced the carbon dioxide tax in 1991 and since then it has risen gradually.
This tax is aimed at cars and thermal fuels, which account for 90% of Sweden’s fossil carbon dioxide emissions.
Sweden’s investments in sustainable development include converting waste into energy, which is now a thriving business in the country. Sweden hopes to be carbon neutral by 2045.
In Norway, almost 98% of electricity now comes from renewable sources.
Norway currently has the highest number of electric cars per capita, and from 2025, cars that use fossil fuels will be banned.
Norway expects to be carbon neutral by 2030, if emission reductions are made by other countries. If not, it will happen by 2050, regardless of global emission reductions.
Definitely a breakthrough for the country, which is a major producer of oil.
Norway’s success in switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy is not only economically and socially feasible, but more importantly it also harmonises business with ecological issues.
Denmark now focuses on sustainability by emphasizing clothing, natural materials and unpretentious housing.
The Danes have also promised to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2030, which is definitely a monumental task regardless of the yardstick.
Denmark has also made a promise that its food industry will be carbon neutral by 2050.
In my meetings with Danish authorities, industry organizations and companies, I have witnessed their collaborative efforts and unwavering determination to switch from fossil fuels to green energy.
Their passion for renewable energy is very conspicuous from offshore wind turbines, especially when crossing the border from Sweden to Denmark.
Finnish ways to make the environment greener
However, Finland is reacting in a different way to mitigating climate change, mainly due to the country’s physical landscape: slightly less than 70% of Finland’s land mass is protected by forests.
The abundance of forest is expected to grow due to the country’s forest type, as it is mandatory to plant four trees for each harvested tree.
Definitely a visionary policy on the part of Finns, not only to preserve the green environment, but more importantly to contribute more than their fair share to confronting climate change.
The abundance of wood is used to produce goods, services and energy, and replaces fossil-based chemicals that are significant emitters of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide.
Spearhead Finnish companies are developing new ways to use wood in light of the great environmental benefits for the country.
From the manufacture of dresses to green multi-storey buildings and even battery production, products are easily recyclable, biodegradable and hypoallergenic.
Switching from fossil fuels, plastic or concrete and steel used to build to wood and bio-based materials limits carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere.
The financial incentives from this growing market for wood-based products justify further smart tree management.
Wood-based products are made from production by-products and residues or from materials that are recycled after the product’s use.
A circular bioeconomy works when goods produced are bio-friendly and can be shared, reused, reused, recycled and biodegradable or used for renewable energy.
As trees grow back, they absorb carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. The cycle of deforestation and replanting continues to ensure that the desired flora is preserved.
In a bioeconomy, people use ecologically friendly materials and products that reduce the carbon footprint.
Globally, carbon dioxide emissions continue to rise, and it is imperative to promote the bioeconomy in order to protect our planet and ensure the use of renewable materials.
Biomass alone cannot replace all materials produced from fossil and mineral sources.
But when opportunities develop to replace fossil-based raw material components with renewable wood-based ones, it must be done.
Finland was the first country to introduce a carbon tax as early as 1990, and it has borne fruit, greenhouse gas emissions have since decreased by about 20%.
Measures taken include the use of electric vehicles, the phasing out of fossil fuel heating and the creation of carbon sinks to absorb and neutralize carbon dioxide emissions.
Finland hopes to be carbon neutral by 2035, which is 15 years ahead in terms of reaching carbon neutrality under a carbon neutral coalition.
Over 90%, or 124 of the 137 countries, have earmarked 2050 to become carbon neutral.
Although Finland’s wood-based approach to climate change may not work for all countries given the climate differences and trade-offs between agriculture and tree growth, it provides a timely reminder to reconsider how we can use nature to meet the global challenge of climate change.
Finland’s efforts for a green environment have attracted attention. The European Commission awarded the European Green Capital Award to the Finnish city of Lahti for 2021.
The award draws attention to the environmentally friendly efforts of European cities to support continued transformation and governance towards a more ecological future.
Lahti’s competitors for the prize were Lille and Strasbourg in France.
The Commission took a positive note of the city’s innovation-friendly environment, innovation and human resource development.
In matters relating to lifelong learning, patent applications and scientific production, Lahti is also well above the EU average.
The Finnish city was chosen as the capital by a unanimous decision of an international jury, which recognized the city’s efforts in air quality, governance, waste management, green growth and eco-innovation.
The jury was particularly impressed by Lahti’s air quality plan, which has led to a significant reduction in emissions since its adoption in 1997.
The Helsinki-Uusimaa region secured the top position in the study’s regional scoreboard, which assesses 238 regions within the EU member states.
Sweden’s Stockholm and the Danish capital were close behind the Finns.
Complementary role of the Finnish Green Building Council (GBC)
GBC strives to ensure that newly built buildings contain carbon dioxide neutrality and sustainable lifestyle solutions.
The Council utilizes expertise and knowledge in sustainable development from its members who have local and international experience.
GBC is a member of more than 200 organizations and has many experts who are critical of Finland’s focus and advocate sustainable development in the construction of new buildings.
The synergy effects between business and organizations have increased the pace of sustainable development in Finland, and the government is taking on the role of catalyst.
GBC’s core functions are to promote policies for sustainable development in the construction industry, share knowledge, activate dialogues and discussions by networking with the World Green Building Council.
Countries around the world can emulate Finland’s successful ways of accelerating sustainable development, which will reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
I know the Finnish business community and organizations quite well, having met them several times.
I am optimistic that Finns will be willing to pass on their knowledge for the greater good of humanity in a common threat facing humanity.
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Source: sn.dk