By ED King
Finland (click here) has become the latest country to announce a new climate change act, which will put into law a long-term mitigation target of 80% emissions reduction by 2050.
Describing the news as ‘super’, Environment Minister Ville Niinistö said it would place Finland on a path towards “a position as a pioneer of low-carbon society”.
“Climate change policy will be open to a more democratic preparation, and public participation opportunities will improve,” he said in a statement.
“Predictable climate policy for business, in turn, creates an excellent platform for low-carbon solutions for reducing emissions. Research and policy to strengthen dialogue is also important.”
In 2013 Finland’s total emissions of greenhouse gases were equal to 60.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, almost unchanged from 2012.
Government data reveals coal consumption increased but the peat, oil and natural gas use fell.
In an interview with RTCC last December Niinistö said Finland would push for ambitious European 2030 climate targets in line with science...
