Minister Kari hopes the circular economy agreement will postpone Finns' overspending day

On the last day of March, March 31.3.2022, XNUMX, the Finnish calculated overspending day. This is the day when the ecological footprint of Finns exceeds the Earth's biocapacity, i.e. the ability to produce renewable natural resources. In other words, Finns have used up their annual natural resource budget in three months, and the rest of the year will be spent "in debt".

Earth Overshoot Day In comparison, only eight countries in the world consume their share of natural resources faster than Finns: Qatar and Luxembourg's overconsumption day arrived already in February. Canada, the United Arab Emirates and the United States ate their cake on March 13. Australia and Belgium crossed the limit last week, Denmark on Monday, March 28.3.2022, XNUMX.

Finland is one of the most resource-intensive countries in Europe. Finnish domestic consumption is approximately 29 tonnes per capita, while the sustainable level is estimated to be 3–8 tonnes.

The consumption of natural resources has only accelerated: Last year, in 2021, Finns' overconsumption day came ten days later than this year, April 10th.

“Breaking the addiction”

Minister of the Environment and Climate Emma Kari believes that the circular economy could postpone the day of overconsumption for Finns. Kari held a press conference on circular economy topics on March 29.3.2022, XNUMX, and stated that the circular economy and reducing resource use are the next leap in environmental policy.

"The current crises have brought to the surface the uncomfortable truth not only about the brutality of war, but also about the undeniable politics and finiteness of natural resources. We urgently need ways to break our dependence on overconsumption of natural resources and fossil fuels," Kari stated.

Director, Finnish Environment Institute, Centre for Consumption and Production, Professor Jyri Seppälä emphasizes that the circular economy transition requires a new way of thinking and broad societal change.

“The circular economy has a special application in the natural resource crisis resulting from the war in Ukraine. Material and energy efficiency are key ways to respond to this crisis.”

Finland is one of the few countries that has set targets to reduce the overconsumption of natural resources. In the national in the circular economy program The government stated that the total consumption of domestic primary raw materials must not exceed the 2035 level in 2015.

Dasgupta-inspired study launched in Finland

According to Minister Kari, the systems of the entire society must be set within the limits of nature's carrying capacity.

"To achieve this goal, the Ministry of the Environment also initiated a study by Professor Dasgupta's report The aim is to gain knowledge about how the economy, natural resource use and biodiversity are interconnected, and how biodiversity loss affects the economy.”

Preparations for low-carbon agreements begin

The circular economy program aims to create a voluntary agreement on a low-carbon circular economy in Finland.

It is hoped that industries, companies, municipalities and regions will join this agreement with their own commitments.

According to Minister Kari, climate roadmaps prepared by companies are a good example, as they have successfully committed actors to climate work. Finland has good experience with voluntary agreements in the environmental sector.

“In the agreement, we can work with the operators to find the best practices that will enable them to increase their own circular economy.

At the beginning of the work, researchers create alternative paths to a more sustainable and resource-efficient future together with the actors involved. In addition, the researchers spar with the actors to choose the most impactful actions for their own commitments.

"I hope that a large group of Finnish companies and other actors will get involved. This will provide an opportunity to consider paths towards a resource farm and a carbon-neutral future, create new business and cross-industry collaboration, and identify actions that also strengthen self-sufficiency and create well-being," Kari says.

Building a network of expertise

Special expert of the Ministry of the Environment Heikki Sorasahi reports that the ministries will send an official invitation to actors to participate in the cooperation process in April.

“The idea is that the agreement will be prepared in a broad collaborative process together with interested parties,” Sorasahi explains.

The aim is for the contract model and the supporting sustainable future scenarios to be ready by summer 2023.

Municipal and business actors are also encouraged to establish a circular economy expertise network. The network participatory workshop will be held on June 7th.

Text: Elina Saarinen/ Uusiouutiset-magazine

Image: Adobe Stock. Finns consume as if we had three or four Earths at our disposal.