Helsinki, 10 January 2014 – A new material efficiency plan has been released by the Finnish Government, aiming for sustainable growth through improved use of natural resources. The plan calls for more research, streamlined waste and environmental permitting procedures and pilot projects.
Helsinki, 10 January 2014 – A new material efficiency plan has been released by the Finnish Government, aiming for sustainable growth through improved use of natural resources. The plan calls for more research, streamlined waste and environmental permitting procedures and pilot projects.
The Finnish Government moved forward with the plan after Finland was given a low score in the European Commission’s resource productivity indicator, reflecting its low population density, cold climate and growing mining sector.
New technologies could provide answers for Finland’s resource efficiency problems, and the country needs to review its waste and environmental permitting, which hinders investment by being too slow and complex.
The plan recommends several pilots, including one to increase interest and investment in industrial symbiosis – an area of particular complexity that is hindered by current legislation. The plan sets out that an existing programme offering material audits to companies will be extended.
In addition, the Government will fund and encourage more co-ordinated research in areas such as closed loop technologies, resource efficient design and material efficiency indicators.