FIN-MIPS Transport

The MIPS-indicator (Material Input per Unit Service) is a tool for assessing and systematically reducing natural resource consumption. By measuring the amount of mass that has been moved from its natural location, MIPS indicates environmental pressure of products and activities.

The FIN-MIPS Transport project is investigating the natural resource consumption caused by the finnish transport system. The basic data is produced in sectoral studies on road, railway, sea, air, and bicycle transport. The outcomes of the sectoral studies will be combined in order to study the resource consumption of the total transport network. Options will be assessed for reducing the resource consumption of the different transport sectors and the whole transport system in Finland.

The direct result of the study will material input (MI) coefficients of different transport modes in Finland. These figures will improve the data base and reliability of MIPS calculations made by finnish companies and other organisations. The results can also be used for comparing different transport modes from an eco-efficiency point of view. The participating transport authorities can also use the results for developing their planning practices, investment decisions and other activities towards sustainability.

The project was stated in the autumn of 2003 and will last until the end of 2005. The project is mostly funded by the finnish ministries of environment and of transport and communication in the framework of the environmental cluster programme. Other entities participating in the funding and the work of the project are the Finnish Road Administration, the Finnish Rail Administration, the Finnish Maritime Administration, the Finnish Civil Aviation Administration and the coordinator of the project, the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation.

Foto: Juhani Korvenoja, Luonnonkuva-arkisto

For further information, please contact

Dr. Arto Saari, Finnish Association for Nature Conservation
Project leader
firtsname.surname@hut.fi
Phone: +358 40 563 0803

Mr. Michael Lettenmeier, Finnish Association for Nature Conservation
Project coordinator
firstname.surname@iki.fi
Phone: +358 40 54 12 876