Finnish greenhouse gas emissions continue to exceed Kyoto limits
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Finland still has a long way to go before its emissions of greenhouse gases go down to the levels set in the Kyoto Climate Treaty. Although there have been reductions, the emissions continue to significantly exceed the goals established in the treaty.
According to fresh figures, Finland’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2004 were 81.1 million tonnes, which is 14 percent higher than the Kyoto limit.
"The most problematic sector is energy production, and especially electricity generation", says Jaakko Ojala, an official at the Ministry of the Environment.
Emissions from waste management and agriculture have declined. Emissions from transport are also moderate.
Finland has not managed to reduce its emissions much in recent years. In 2003 they actually grew: in that year, Finland put out more greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, than at any time since 1990.
Ojala attributes the situation partly to weather conditions. The winter of 2003 was cold, and the whole year was dry. With little hydroelectric power available, coal-fired power plants were used more intensely. They were also used to generate electricity for the Nordic market.
The situation has turned around. In 2004, emissions were lower than in the previous year, and advance information suggests that last year’s emissions were lower still.
"The year 2003 was an exception in the statistics", Ojala insists. He believes that Finland will attain the Kyoto goals.
The Kyoto Treaty, which came into effect a year ago, calls on industrialised countries to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases by at least five percent from the 1990 level by 2012. Finland is obliged to bring down emissions to the average 1990 level between 2008 and 2012.
According to fresh calculations by Statistics Finland, the permissible emission level for Finland is 71.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, adding up to 357 million tonnes of greenhouse gases in 2008-2012.
The figures are part of a report on emissions that Finland has sent to the European Commission. Ojala sees the report as historic.
"It is the first time that a quantitative, internationally binding obligation has been set for emissions. We will have to live with this figure long into the future", he says.
Trade in emissions is seen by Ojala to be the most important way to balance out emissions of gases which accelerate climate change.
The system allows companies to buy and sell greenhouse gas emission quotas.
In addition to emissions trade, the aim is to achieve a real reduction in emissions by increasing the use of renewable energy.
Ojala also notes that Finland’s fifth commercial nuclear reactor, which is now under construction, will lead to a significant reduction of emissions when it comes on line.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 17.1.2006 - TODAY |
 Finnish greenhouse gas emissions continue to exceed Kyoto limits
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