Study Discusses Possible Ways to Achieve Significant Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction

According to a study carried out by the Finnish Environment Institute, the Government Institute for Economic Research, and the National Consumer Research Centre, in Finland, an annual reduction of 4.5 million tons in greenhouse gas emissions from food, passenger transport, and housing can be achieved by 2020.

The study results are important to achieve the emission reduction goals set for Finland, where currently 70 million tons of greenhouse gases are released. Total greenhouse gas emissions from food, passenger transport, and housing in Finland represent 23 million tons of CO₂ equivalents.

As per the study, policy measures and implementations aimed at food can reduce emissions by .3 million tons of CO₂ equivalent in Finland. Techniques utilized in public-sector catering services for encouraging a low-carbon diet must be implemented into private-sector catering services. Reduction in food wastage will be helpful in reducing emissions.

Through stringent fuel taxation and introduction of electronic road user charges, emissions can be reduced by 2.1 million ton CO₂ equivalent. To achieve this, increasing awareness among people about the availability of genuine transit alternatives is highly important.

Greenhouse gas emissions from housing can be reduced by 2 million tons. Energy renovations and heating system changes have a potential to achieve an emission reduction of 1.3 million tons. Energy-smart living can achieve an emission reduction of 0.36 million tons and adoption of energy-efficient appliances can lower emissions by 0.34 million tons. Building regulations related to energy taxes, energy subsidies, energy certification, and renovations can play a significant role in emission reduction. Making energy efficiency services extensively available and increasing awareness about global warming effects are other options for emission reduction.

Source: http://www.environment.fi/