Finland’s Circular Economy Programme sets targets to curb overconsumption of natural resources

NordenBladet — By the resolution on promoting a circular economy adopted today, on 7 April, the Finnish Government committed to reducing the consumption of unrenewable natural resources. The resolution also restricts the use of renewable natural resources in Finland: the total consumption of domestic primary raw materials in 2035 will not exceed the level in 2015*. The resolution is based on a vision that in 2035 the Finnish economy will be based on a carbon-neutral circular economy society.According to the resolution, the productivity of resources must be doubled by 2035 from the situation in 2015. The circular material use rate (CMU) must also be doubled by 2035.“A circular economy offers solutions to curbing the overconsumption of natural resources and the keys to halting the climate crisis and loss of biodiversity. By this resolution, we are for the first time setting concrete targets for the consumption of natural resources. The measures included in the resolution will enable us to seize the opportunities offered by a circular economy and create a more sustainable foundation for our economy,” Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Krista Mikkonen says.“The key objective of a circular economy is to keep the products, materials and their value in the economic cycle for as long as possible. The philosophy of ‘more for less’ means raising the added value, and even more efficient utilisation of raw materials. Companies are the drivers in achieving this change. This is also a great opportunity to boost exports because there is a lot of interest in Finnish circular economy expertise around the world,” Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä points out.The resolution sets out the key measures by which the ministries will promote a circular economy in 2021–2024. They will create incentives, strengthen the markets, enhance expertise, promote digitalisation, and support a foreign policy that is in line with sustainable development. A broad spectrum of stakeholders such as different ministries and research institutes, in dialogue with companies, business sectors, local governments and private citizens, participated in the process to prepare the resolution.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi