Study finds greenhouse gas emissions reduction possible We can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around 4.5 million tonnes each year from housing, passenger transport and food between now and 2020, if we make some necessary changes. This is the message from a new Finnish study that examined whether the possibility of slashing emis... We can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around 4.5 million tonnes each year from housing, passenger transport and food between now and 2020, if we make some necessary changes. This is the message from a new Finnish study that examined whether the possibility of slashing emissions levels exists. Researchers from the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), the National Consumer Research Centre, and the Government Institute for Economic Research (VATT) say the biggest reduction in housing could be triggered by changes related to energy. Saving heat and electricity, as well as promoting consumer choice in favour of energy-efficient appliances, are the other means to ensure reductions. With respect to passenger transport, there are two ways that emissions could be brought down: tighten car and fuel taxation, and adopt electronic road user charges. The researchers point out that food-related emissions could be reduced if a low-carbon diet is introduced in both the public- and private-sector catering services. What could also help is to ensure that we do not waste food. The team says the findings are important, especially because the Finnish government has established targets to reduce emissions in the years to come. Data suggest that Finland's overall emissions are around 70 million tonnes. Housing, passenger traffic and food represent nearly a quarter of this in carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalents, say the researchers. They add that the total attributable emissions for Finland and elsewhere are 35 million tonnes, taking into account products' complete life-cycles and global emissions. Their study also highlights how policy instruments used in climate policy targeting households may have not been created for this policy area, but are usually in use for other areas, including tax revenue generation. Adding to this headache is that policy instruments are not 100% coherent: decisions that guide citizens' consumption were made at different times and from different vantage points. In their study, the researchers found it is key for ministries and agencies at the central government level to foster stronger ties, and then establish shared emission reduction targets for policy programmes. The team, for instance, identifies a link between housing and passenger transport. They say levels of emissions are impacted by the choices people make about where they live and work, and by the choices they make in how much energy is generated and used. With respect to cutting housing emissions, the researchers say we can see a drop in emissions of 1.3 million tonnes if we make changes to the heating system and to energy renovations. Choosing to live the 'energy smart' way would result in a 0.36-million-tonne decrease in heat and electricity. Another 0.34 million tonnes would be cut if consumers bought more energy-efficient appliances. More than 2.1 million tonnes CO2 equivalent could be cut in passenger transport if people started to walk more or use their bicycles, instead of taking their cars to get from point A to point B.For more information, please visit: Finnish Environment Institute:http://www.ymparisto.fi/default.asp?node=5297&lan=EN Countries Finland
