Finland to lead the way in being energy-smart

In January 2010, Minister of Housing Jan Vapaavuori, Sitra and Tekes invited an extensive number of specialists to find out the best ways of promoting an energy-smart approach. The work resulted in an action plan titled ERA17 – For an Energy-Smart Built Environment 2017.

An energy-smart built environment refers to an energy-efficient, low-emission built environment of a high quality, where the measures required by climate change prevention have been taken. The energy-smart approach consists of several factors: land use, new construction and renovation, building maintenance and the utilisation of renewable energy.

The energy efficiency of built environments has a key role in mitigating climate change. Buildings and construction amount to approximately 40% of all energy consumption and emissions. The role is yet more significant when traffic emissions are included.

The following background reports were made to prepare the ERA17 action plan:

• Review on Improving Energy Efficiency in Some European Countries (REHVA, in Finnish: Katsaus rakennusten energiatehokkuuden parantamiseen eräissä Euroopan maissa) 
• Benchmarking of Regulations on Energy Efficiency of Buildings – “Incentives & Punishments” (REHVA) 
• Benchmarking Regulations on Energy Efficiency of Buildings – Country reports (REHVA) 
• Benchmarking Regulations on Energy Efficiency of Buildings – Executive summary (REHVA) 
• Value Chains, Earnings Logic and Decision-Making Processes in Real Estate Business (Tekes, KTI, in Finnish: Kiinteistöliiketoiminnan arvoverkostot, ansaintalogiikat ja päätöksentekoprosessit) 
• Community Structure and CHP Emissions of Urban Regions (SY12/2010, in Finnish: Kaupunkiseutujen yhdyskuntarakenne ja kasvihuonekaasupäästöt) 
• Systems Impact of Energy Scenarios and their Economic, Ecological and Societal Impacts (Sitra Selvityksiä 30, in Finnish: Energiaskenaarioiden järjestelmävaikutukset ja niiden taloudelliset, ympäristölliset ja yhteiskunnalliset seuraukset) 
• Energy Use and CHP Emissions of the Built Environment (Sitra Selvityksiä 39, in Finnish: Rakennetun ympäristön energiankäyttö ja kasvihuonekaasupäästöt) 
• Preliminary Impact and Cost Estimates of the ERA17 Action Plan (Gaia, in Finnish: ERA17-toimintaohjelman alustavat vaikutus- ja kustannusarviot).

The ERA17 action plan has identified 31 proposals for action. The actions are of different scopes and values. Some of them are in the short term, and some in the long term. Some actions have already been taken and some still require further development. A shared feature for most actions is that no actor can implement them alone. Building an energy-smart life requires the input of citizens, companies, municipalities and the government.

A follow-up team, launched on 21 January 2011, is responsible for the implementation of the ERA17 action plan. The follow-up team consists of the Finnish Association of Building Owners and Construction Clients (RAKLI), the Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries (RT), Sitra, the Finnish Real Estate Federation, the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities, Tekes and the Ministry of the Environment.

Finland will celebrate her 100th anniversary in 2017. We were leaders in energy efficiency 30 years ago due to the energy crisis. ERA17 encourages Finland to reclaim its place as the energy-smart leader and to meet the 2020 emission goals by Finland's centennial in 2017. The goal is that Finland will have the world's best built environment in 2050.