Mundus Nordic Green News – 10 February, 2021

Finnish Ministries seek feedback on Circular Economy

Finland’s Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Employment and the Economy are requesting opinions on the Government's proposal for a “decision-in-principle” on the circular economy program. The aim is to curb the over-consumption of natural resources, climate change and natural impoverishment through the circular economy, and to strengthen the economy and employment.

 

The draft decision-in-principle is based on the vision that a carbon-neutral circular economy will be the foundation of the Finnish economy in 2035. According to the proposal, the consumption of non-renewable resources will decrease and the sustainable use of renewable resources may increase.  Resource productivity should double from the 2015 situation by 2035, and the degree of recycling of materials must double by 2035.

 

In January, the working group that prepared the strategic program proposal for the circular economy presented the goals and means by which the circular economy will be the new foundation of the Finnish economy by 2035. The “New Direction - Proposal for a Strategic Agenda for the Circular Economy” contained recommendations and 41 proposals for action.

 

The proposal for a decision-in-principle outlines the key actions that ministries will commit to take in 2021-2024. Highlights from the actions:

• Incentives for the circular economy, eg taxation,
• Circular economy markets: strengthening the market for recycled materials and helping citizens to find circular economy services.
• Government to enter into voluntary commitments with companies, municipalities and other actors to reduce the use of natural resources. 
• Establish a “national knowledge network” to support the work of municipalities and regional ecosystems to promote a carbon-neutral circular economy.
• Innovations, digitalisation and know-how in the circular economy.
• External circular economy policy in support of the goals of sustainable development. Supporting the circular economy transition of developing countries.

Opinions must be submitted by 8 March 2021.

 

Vestas launches new giant 15 MW offshore wind turbine

According to a press release by Vestas, it will launch a giant offshore wind turbine with a capacity of 15 MW, thus intensifying competition with Siemens Gamesa and General Electric for the offshore wind market. The first prototype of the turbine, which goes by the name V236-15.0 MW, is expected to be installed in 2022, while series production is expected to start in 2024. The new turbine can provide a 65% higher annual energy production than Vestas' current offshore turbine of the type V174-9.5 MW, which as the name suggests has a capacity of 9.5 MW.

 

“Norway apologises” to Will Ferrell

The University of Agder looks to placate Ferrell and GM following disastrous battery-wars

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