Environment
- Transport and environment
- Regulations
- Reducing adverse environmental effects of transport
- Monitoring environmental work
- Environmental programmes and transport policy
- Climate Policy Programme for the Ministry of Transport and Communications' administrative branch
1. Transport and environment
The most significant environmental challenges in the transport
sector relate to climate change, noise, pollution of ground water,
the use of natural resources, generation of waste and loss of
biodiversity.
Some 20 per cent of Finland's greenhouse gas emissions are caused
by transport. Of what are known as traditional emissions, transport
accounts for 20-60 per cent, depending on the compound. In addition
to generating exhaust gas emissions, transport adds to air
impurities mechanically, for example through street dust.
The noise and vibration from traffic reduce the quality and comfort
of living environments and have an adverse effect on people's
well-being
The construction and maintenance of transport infrastructure
consume natural resources and generate waste. In addition,
routes and other structures needed for transport require a
significant amount of space.
Transport also affects biodiversity and the condition of the Baltic
Sea region in a variety of different ways.
2. Regulations
A large part of legislation applicable to environmental
questions in transport is directly derived from EU Directives. The
Ministry of Transport and Communications participates in the
preparation of these Directives and incorporates them into Finnish
legislation.
Alongside drafting legislation, public officials from the Ministry
and its administrative branch take part in the preparation of
international agreements on transport and the environment.
3. Reducing adverse environmental effects of transport
The Ministry's efforts to reduce the adverse environmental
effects of transport are included in its overall transport policy.
The Government Programme proposes that transport-related
emissions be reduced, for instance, by supporting public transport,
renewing the vehicle fleet and favouring low-emission vehicle
technology.
The Ministry is responsible for monitoring the implementation of
environmental legislation and national and international
obligations concerning its administrative branch. The Ministry
guides and supervises the agencies in its branch of government, and
takes part in the associated research and development work.
The Finnish Transport Agency is responsible for environmental work
related to the construction and maintenance of transport
infrastructure, and for the overall functioning of the transport
system. The Finnish Transport Safety Agency is responsible for the
environmental safety of transport services. The Finnish
Meteorological Institute produces observation and research data on
the atmosphere and seas, and provides society with a variety of
services based on this information. The Finnish Communications
Regulatory Authority is in charge of building a
smoothly-functioning information society, which in turn reduces
people's need to travel.
4. Monitoring environmental work
The environmental impacts of the Ministry's activities have been systematically monitored since 1995. Other organisations in the administrative branch also monitor their operations and collect data on their environmental impacts. An independent evaluation of the environmental management systems was carried out in 2004.
5. Environmental programmes and transport policy
Environmental questions are an integral part of all transport
planning, development, implementation and monitoring work carried
out by the Ministry. The Government Programme in force, together
with transport policy strategies, provide the overall policy
framework for this work.
Climate policy programmes of the Ministry and its branch of
government are important tools in carrying out this work. They
detail the measures, responsibilities and timetables required to
achieve the targets.
6. Climate Policy Programme for the Ministry of Transport and Communications' administrative branch
The Climate Policy Programme for the Ministry of Transport and
Communications' administrative branch (ILPO) was completed in March
2009. It aims to cut the level of transport-induced greenhouse gas
emissions by 2.8 million tonnes compared to the estimated emissions
level of 2020. At the same time, preparations are made to maintain
transport services at the present level, despite the increasing
extreme weather events.
The ILPO programme comprises five sets of measures aimed at
reducing emissions:
- 1. renew the vehicle fleet
- 2. improve the energy-efficiency of transport
- 3. direct the growth of passenger traffic volumes in urban areas to more environmentally friendly transport modes
- 4. support the attainment of Finland's climate policy objectives through information society and communications policy
- 5. decide in 2012 on the use of financial steering methods in the transport sector
Renewal of passenger car fleet
A target set out in the ILPO programme is that in 2020, specific
emissions of new cars sold in Finland would be near the EU
objective (95 g/km) and the rate of vehicle fleet renewal would be
around seven per cent a year.
Key measures are monitoring the effects of the car tax reform,
influencing the consumers' choice of vehicle, conducting research
on different technology and fuel options and promoting their
introduction.
Improving the energy-efficiency of transport
Steps should be taken to improve the energy-efficiency of transport. Measures include the use of energy efficiency agreements for public transport and goods transport.
Directing the growth of passenger traffic volumes in urban areas to more environmentally friendly transport modes
The goal is that by 2020 a total of 100 million more public
transport journeys and 300 million more walking and cycling
journeys will be made, which means an around 20 per cent increase
to the current figures.
Measures include the reconciliation of transport and land use, the
promotion of public transport, walking and cycling, and mobility
management.
Supporting the attainment of Finland's climate policy objectives through information society and communications policy
Information society and communications policies support the achievement of Finland's climate objectives. Information society services decrease emissions in business, industry, administration and people's everyday lives.
Deciding on the use of financial steering methods in the transport sector
If the climate objectives are not achieved through soft measures, such as awareness raising, financial steering may be used to pursue them. Examples of such financial measures include fuel taxation and road user charges. A decision on the possible introduction of financial steering methods will be made in 2012 at the latest.