EU's decision on cuts in greenhouse gases satisfies Finland

Environment Minister Wallin believes move will bring jobs to Finland

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The member states of the European Union promised on Tuesday to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by 20 per cent by 2020, even if countries outside the EU fail to enact emissions cuts.
      At the same time, the EU agreed to aim at cuts of 30 per cent, if an international agreement is reached on the matter, and if the United States, and certain other countries agree to join the effort.
      Finland had taken a critical view of unilateral emission cuts before Tuesday’s meeting of EU environment ministers. Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen was concerned over an estimate by the Government Institute for Economic Research (VATT) that such a move could lead to the loss of up to 60,000 jobs.
      However, on Tuesday Vanhanen concluded that Finland’s goals on the climate issue had been implemented in Brussels.
      "It is great that a solution that is satisfactory to Finland has been found.
      Both the Prime Minister, as well as Minister of the Environment Stefan Wallin said that Finland’s goals were served, in that there was agreement that regional conditions will be taken into consideration in establishing a "fair" sharing of the burden. In Finland that means, for instance, the country’s cold climate and the energy-intensive industrial structure. Finland’s specific contribution to the greenhouse gas reduction effort will emerge after discussions are held with the European Commission.
     
Wallin believes that the VATT study was drafted hastily, and was based on the most pessimistic forecasts possible.
      "I would not pay too much attention to that report. I would not want to speculate on these jobs", Wallin said.
      Wallin added that before long, the EU’s emission reductions will prove to be in Finland’s interest.
      "Our know-how in environmental technology opens up great opportunities around the world. It will increase our exports, and thus improve our employment", he said.
     
Finland’s hesitant attitude sparked extensive criticism among environmental groups. Poland and Hungary had also expressed reservations.
      A number of other EU member states are ready for even greater reductions. For instance, Germany has set emission cuts of 40 per cent as its goal.
     
According to more negative visions, European industry will move to countries where emissions do not cost as much as in Europe. That is why it is hoped that China will also commit itself to international emission cuts.
      While the United States is currently the greatest producer of greenhouse gases, the International Energy Agency estimates that fast-growing China will become the greatest polluter in 2009. China’s dizzying growth rate is indicated by the fact that in 2005 new coal-fired power plants were introduced at a rate of one every three days.
     
EU heads of state will discuss the greenhouse gas emission issue at their summit in Brussels in March. However, there are no intentions to change the actual goals.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  EU emissions cuts could lead to loss of 60,000 jobs in Finland (20.2.2007)

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