Study finds EU goal of 60 per cent cut greenhouse emissions to be attainable for Finland

print this

Finland can reduce its emissions of greenhouse gases by more than 60 per cent from the 1990 level by 2050, says the Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT). According to a VTT study, the emission reductions required to bring climate change under control will cause massive change in the present energy system, which is currently based on fossil fuels.
     The study finds that key ways to cut emissions include improving energy efficiency, and the increased use of renewable energy sources and nuclear energy. VTT mentions biological fuels and wind energy as examples of renewable sources. In addition, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) will prove to be another important means of reducing emissions.
     
Factors slowing down the introduction of the various technologies include the high costs and the slow pace of renewal.
     VTT calculates that the direct costs will a maximum 0.6 per cent of GDP in 2050. If investment in the development of the technologies is significantly increased, the costs will be about one third less in areas where the reductions in emissions are the greatest, the study points out.
     The study has taken into account that the Finnish climate will change significantly by 2050. According to predictions, the changes will reduce the need to heat homes, while increaing the need for cooling. Possibilities for generating electricity with wind and water power are also expected to improve.
     
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says that greenhouse gas emissions will need to be reduced by between 50 and 85 per cent by mid-century, if climate change is to be reduced effectively. The goal of the EU is to cut emissions by 60-80 per cent from the 1990 level.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  New international climate agreement would saddle Finland with sizeable supplementary bill (2.9.2008)
  EU energy package to hit consumers in coming years (24.1.2008)

Helsingin Sanomat