Ministry of the Environment

PRESS RELEASES

Minister Vapaavuori visiting Japan to learn about carbon-free construction (MoE 3/1/2010)

Minister of Housing Jan Vapaavuori is travelling to Japan on 2 March to learn about construction techniques that can help in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Japan is the world’s most efficient energy consumer in relation to GDP, and also a frontrunner in low-carbon construction.

Finland gives its opinion on the international environmental impact assessment of the Nord Stream gas pipeline (MoE 6/23/2009)

Finland has finalised its opinion on the international environmental impact assessment report on the offshore natural gas pipeline planned between Russia and Germany (Espoo Report). The Ministry of the Environment, acting as the Finnish competent authority on the Espoo Convention, has today submitted the Finnish opinion on the adequacy of the assessment report to Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Russia. The opinion does not cover the permit procedure or permit decisions concerning the project. The international environmental impact assessment procedure is based on the Espoo Convention on transboundary environmental impacts.

One half of the environmental impacts of Finland are generated abroad(Finnish Environment Institute and MoE 3/27/2009)

Of the global environmental impacts caused by Finland, about one half are generated outside the country. The major part of the emissions that contribute to the climate change are generated within the country – the emissions abroad amount to 70-80 % of the domestic emissions. For several other types of environmental impacts, the proportion of impacts outside the country is higher. Finland is using as much natural resources abroad as within the country. These results were obtained at a research project coordinated by the Finnish Environment Institute. A surprising result was that domestic services cause more environmental impacts than what has been assumed. 

Best idea for biodiversity in Finland from 550-year-old City of Espoo to protect 550 hectares (MOE, IUCN Finland 3/25/2009)