Emissions in most municipalities show 15% drop since 2005

Climate emissions have declined in nearly all Finnish municipalities since 2005, said a press release issued by the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) on Monday.

The average decrease is 15 per cent. The reduction in municipal emissions has been driven by the decline in electricity emissions, reforms in district heating production, and generation of wind power.

Emissions from oil-fired heating have dropped at a relatively similar pace in all municipalities, resulting in a significant impact at the national level.

There are big differences in emissions reductions between municipalities. The largest reductions from 2005 exceed 50 per cent. In contrast, some municipalities have recorded an increase in their emissions.

The Finnish Environment Institute has calculated the volume and trend in climate emissions for all Finnish municipalities from 2005 to 2017. This was the first time that a new, uniform calculation method was used to determine all municipal emissions. The results will be updated annually from now on.

“This internationally unique calculation system enables the emissions data of individual municipalities to be analysed to satisfy the needs of both the EU and the municipalities. This provides brand new opportunities to support local climate work and monitor the impact of various steering methods all around Finland,” said Professor Jyri Seppälä from the Finnish Environment Institute.

According to the new emissions calculations, the main sources of emissions in Finnish municipalities include road transport (25%), agriculture (17%), district heating (17%), and electricity consumption (heating and other consumer electricity 13%).

Emissions per resident vary considerably in different municipalities, ranging from about three tonnes to more than 25 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. On average, the municipal emissions per resident totalled 10.7 tonnes in 2017.

There are also significant regional differences in the volume of emissions. For example, in the Uusimaa region, emissions from passenger cars, calculated per resident, have decreased by 21 per cent since 2005, while in Lapland, Kainuu, North Savo, and South Savo, the equivalent decrease amounts to 12 per cent.

Emissions from passenger cars vary depending on the number of vehicles registered in the municipalities and regions, and the emission factors of vehicles and the distances driven. In the Uusimaa region, passenger cars are clearly newer and generate lower emissions compared to other regions.