Finnish greenhouse emissions within Kyoto protocol framework

Emissions of energy production significantly reduced last year

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Finland’s emissions of greenhouse gases are finally reaching the levels put forward in the Kyoto Climate Treaty. Last year they actually may have fallen slightly below the target level.
      The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions stems from the sharp decline in the production and use of energy, which, in turn, is the result of declining industrial production and warmer weather.
      Another factor has been the increase in the use of hydroelectric power.
     
Figures on last year’s overall emission levels are not yet ready. However, advance information put out by Statistics Finland state that emissions could actually fall below the Kyoto target of 71 million tonnes. This is a level that Finland has not reached for years. As recently as in 2007 Finland’s emissions of gases affecting climate change were a combined 78.3 million tonnes, which is about ten per cent above the target level.
     
The estimate is based on an advance assessment, according to which the total consumption of energy declined by 4.7 per cent from the previous year.
      Last year was exceptional in the energy field. The recession delivered a body-blow to industrial production, which took a steep dive at the end of the year.
      The decline in output was reflected in a sharp decline in electricity consumption.
      A record amount of hydroelectric power was produced, while the use of fossil fuels and peat declined by ten per cent from the previous year, which sharply reduced the carbon dioxide emissions of the energy sector.
     
Finland’s greenhouse gas emissions come mainly from the energy sector, industrial processes, transport, and agriculture. Households and services cause only eight per cent of emissions.
      Energy production is by far the biggest source of emissions - especially electricity production. Energy production is also the most prone to sudden variations. These are affected mainly by the weather and by the availability of hydroelectric power. Low levels of rainfall in the Nordic region reduce the availability of hydroelectric power, and imports of electricity from Norway and Sweden are reduced.
      In such years Finland has produced electricity for the Nordic market, using coal and peat-fired generators, with a direct impact on emissions from the energy sector.
     
Emissions have also declined in waste management and agriculture. Emissions from transport are modest, although they have been slightly on the increase.
      Finland has not managed to reduce its emissions in any year except 2008. They in fact grew in 2003 when Finland released more greenhouse gases, mainly carbon dioxide, but also methane, more than at any time since 1990.
      The reason for this was that the winter of 2003 was cold, and the entire year was dry. With less hydroelectric power available, coal-fired plants were brought into use.
     
Under the Kyoto Protocol, which took effect in 2005, industrialised countries are required to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by at least five per cent from the 1990 level by 2012. Negotiations are to be held on new limits on emissions in Copenhagen in December.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Climate change could lead to darker winters in Helsinki (22.9.2009)
  Cheaper electricity brought about by mild winter fails to translate into lower consumer prices (20.3.2008)
  Finnish cities stick to climate policy goals despite recession (2.3.2009)
  Vanhanen: Climate technology can help in downturn (17.10.2008)
  Study finds EU goal of 60 per cent cut greenhouse emissions to be attainable for Finland (8.9.2008)

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