Four major parties want to accelerate climate and environmental policy for municipalities

A study from Sitra last week showed that two-thirds of Finnish municipalities have set a climate goal, but only one-fifth have a concrete goal to stop the impoverishment of nature’s diversity.

When representatives of the six largest parties attended Monday’s hearing, the Greens and the Left Alliance asserted that many municipalities do not understand the value of investing in the environment.

We forget that investments in a low-carbon future are paying off. Prior to each council term, each municipality must develop a plan to stop the depletion of biodiversity. Just as the municipality ensures that there is a school, library and service nearby, it must also ensure that residents have access to the local environment, she says Emma Carey (green).

Despite promises to the contrary, climate change and biodiversity continue to be plagued by poverty, including in Finnish municipalities. my kevila The VF believes that all municipalities must develop a program of action to protect biodiversity.

We haven’t come a long way in terms of municipalities’ ambitions to be climate leaders. The climate crisis and nature are not even the focus of the election campaign. However, man depends on nature, even if nature does not depend on man.

Kai Mikann (Saml) emphasizes the economic opportunities for municipalities that invest in climate and environmental action. The transition to climate-smart heat production creates new jobs and reduces emissions. There are many good examples.

– I believe that in the long run all municipalities can get rid of climate emissions without compromising living standards. Heat production is a major municipal climate issue, and it is there that municipal energy companies can phase out combustion-based technologies.

With Malm, nature is sacrificed

The urbanization trend has consequences for both municipalities and their environment. Kai Mikkanen notes that in cities it will be important to maintain forests and green areas, although it is not easy to build massively for a growing population. Emma Carey replied: It’s not impossible:

Every city should know its natural environments and leave the most valuable areas undeveloped.

We must acknowledge the state of conflict, but one must be able to evaluate the whole. I cannot see that the city and its nature are inseparable parts, says Mai Kevila.

josie halla aho (Sannf) indicates that Helsinki has explicitly sacrificed some valuable nature – Malm Airport – for the construction.

“You really have to think carefully if you’re in favor of a very focused housing policy,” he says.

The fact that every third municipality lacks a climate roadmap is nothing to worry about Anika Sariko (c), and do not think that every municipality should have one.

I’m not saying no to higher climate ambitions, but two-thirds of cities already have a plan. It’s a lot. The rest can be kept for later.

Sana Marine The (SDP) says it is not in the state’s prerogative to compel municipalities, but:

Climate action is important and therefore many municipalities have already developed a plan. Climate action is not a burden, it creates new jobs and growth.

Halla-aho sees no need to compel municipalities to climate action.

If you focus on the local level, you will easily miss that climate is a global issue. Declining emissions in one place can offset them if they instead increase in another.

In terms of turning off the energetic peat, Halla-aho believes the transition will be so fast that Finland will fire with wood that should be used for noble purposes. He considers it an example of failed climate policy.

Marin cautions that a rapid shutdown of fossil fuels should not do this or jeopardize the forest’s function as a carbon sink.

Climate policy should not be counterproductive. I would also like to emphasize the new possibilities, such as the increased use of waste heat.

Kai Mykkänen wants to take care of the carbon sink by allowing the forests to grow and age a bit before they are cut down rather than protecting more forests. Mai Kevila points to the untapped potential of agriculture in storing coal as a critical component of the climate puzzle.