Programme to promote sustainable consumption and production
Finland's programme to promote sustainable consumption and production is one of the first such national programmes to be launched anywhere in the world. The programme was initiated in 2005 in response to a decision made at the UN Sustainable Development Summit in 2002 to create ten-year framework programmes to promote sustainable forms of production and consumption.
The programme includes the objective that eco-efficiency should be increased throughout production chains to make Finland one of the world's most eco-efficient societies.
A working group has been appointed by the Ministry of the Environment to evaluate the implementation of the programme's main measures. The working group will also compile a monitoring report and propose further measures. The programme will be revised in 2010 on the basis of the monitoring report. The first interim review of the implementation of the programme was published in autumn 2007.
A new material efficiency centre for Finland
As part of Finland's national programme to promote sustainable consumption and production the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Employment and the Economy are currently setting up a material efficiency centre, which will provide services for businesses and advice for consumers and public sector organisations on various ways to improve material efficiency.
The new centre will be connected to Motiva Oy, a company run as an agency of the Ministry of Employment and the Economy 1), which already provides many expert services promoting energy-efficiency and the use of renewable energy. Motiva's services are widely utilised by the public administration, local authorities, businesses and consumers. The new material efficiency centre has started its work in September 2008.
New procedures for public sector purchases
The Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Employment and the Economy have drafted proposals for a new government policy on public sector purchasing procedures. The proposals cover the kinds of targets that public sector organisations can set, as well as ways to encourage suppliers to adopt environmentally favourable solutions.
1) The Ministry of Trade and Industry has ceased operations as from 1 December 2007. Its responsibilities have been transferred to the Ministry of Employment and the Economy.
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