Climate measures: Finland's ranking improves slightly

Environmental groups put Finland at number 36 among 57 countries

print this

A comparison of 57 countries puts Finland in 36th place in measures to protect the global climate. Finland’s ranking, which is 12 places higher than last year, is the same as Ukraine in the comparison by Germanwatch and Climate Action.
      The countries under examination are considered to be responsible for more than 90 per cent of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions from energy production.
      The comparison takes into account the emission level, development of emissions, and climate policy.
     
There were no top three in the rankings, as the organisations did not feel that any of the countries are enacting measures that would keep the warming from staying below eight degrees Celsius.
     
Topping the list were Brazil, Sweden, Britain, and Germany. All of the other Nordic Countries did better than Finland.
      At the bottom of the list were Saudi Arabia, Canada, Kazakhstan, and Australia. Of the largest producers of emissions, China ranked 52 and the united States was number 53.
     
The recession, which has reduced emissions, has improved Finland’s standing, says Leo Stranius, secretary-general of the Finnish Nature League.
      “Finland has also set relatively ambitious targets in climate and energy policy”, says Stranius, who is currently attending the Copenhagen Climate Conference.
     
Welcoming Finland’s improved state is MP Oras Tynkkymen (Green), the advisor to the Finnish government on climate policy.
      “It is most interesting to follow how Finland develops in the listings; comparing the different countries is not as interesting. The method used boosts the ranking of countries such as Brazil, because felling forests is not included”, Tynkkynen says.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Helsinki falls behind Stockholm and Oslo on Green City index (9.12.2009)
  Government draws up goals for Copenhagen climate summit (26.11.2009)
  Finnish greenhouse emissions within Kyoto protocol framework (5.10.2009)

Links:
  United Nations Climate Change Conference Dec. 7 - Dec 18 2009

Helsingin Sanomat