Finland is currently considered a global leader in designing and producing low-emissions technology.
Ecological sustainability is the foundation for sustainable development. In Finland, the focus of environmental protection is to shift from reducing emissions to preventing them, especially in terms of promoting a circular economy. Technology advances this movement.
What is cleantech?
Sustainable technology can sometimes be referred to as cleantech, or even greentech. According to cleantech expert and investor Neal Dikeman, it is essentially the umbrella term used to describe the investment asset class, technology and business sectors that include clean energy, environmental, and sustainable or green products and services.
Cleantech Finland is a hub of Finnish cleantech expertise and sustainable innovations. On the website, there is a search engine filled with Finnish companies that are highly capable and ready to further innovate sustainable technology with a global approach. The companies range in expertise from air quality and energy & resource efficiency to cleanweb & IoT and renewables and smart grids.
Finland is rich in natural resources, such as minerals, forests and lakes. According to the Environmental Performance Index 2018, Finland is in the Top 10 greenest countries of the world, taking the number one position in environmental health --having the least amount of health risks in the world. Sustainable tech will continue to play a major role in maintaining such an environment for its citizens.
Future plans
According to the General Secretariat on Sustainable Development (in Finnish Kestävä kehitys), Finland’s greenhouse emissions have decreased, but there is still much more reduction needed. Much of the greenhouse gases are emitted from the energy sector and traffic.
The National Energy and Climate Strategy estimates a reduction on imported fossil fuels by 50% and prohibition on the use of coal in the generation of power by the year 2030. The strategy includes implementing 250,000 electric cars, which accounts for 10% of the overall total of automobiles in Finland.
Finns need to halve carbon footprint
Finland is aiming for an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2050. The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra estimates that all Finns need to halve their carbon footprint in order to avoid overconsumption of natural resources. Every step counts.
For more information, Cleantechfinland.com and the Technology Industries of Finland (Teknologiateollisuus) provides support to companies in converting environmental expertise into a competitive leverage for the Finnish industry.
