United Nations Environmental Programme
Renewable Energy
Republic of Finland
Jill Pierangeli
Forest Hills Eastern High School
Renewable energy is the future in combating climate change and promoting a healthy earth for future generations. It is not only becoming rapidly more necessary, but also more cost-competitive with fossil fuels, making it more available to more countries. The 2016 Paris Agreement recognizes the urgency of the energy situation, and has put in place goals of increased renewable energy. Fossil fuels must be phased out of use due to their disastrous emissions of carbon dioxide. As the country with the second-highest amount of renewable energy shares in Europe, the Republic of Finland believes increased renewable energy, such as bioenergy, wind energy, hydro energy, and solar energy is the key to a healthy population and healthy world.
Renewable energy represents 40% of Finland’s total energy end consumption, with plans to increase that percentage to more than 50 by 2030, though it has already exceeded the 2020 goals from the European Union. The highest proportion of renewable energy is provided to the heating and cooling sector, with electricity and transport following not too far behind. The most important forms of renewable energy used in Finland are bioenergy, fuels from forest industry side streams and other wood-based fuels, hydropower, wind power, ground heat, and solar heat. Finland has put in place a feed-in tariff system to subsidize renewable electricity producers to promote renewable energy. Finland also supports the use of heat pumps, bioenergy, and solar power for spacial heating. Additionally, the Finnish government promotes wind power, specifically off-shore wind farms, by lowering tariffs on leases for sea areas and offering subsidies for wind farms. Finland is striving to reduce the carbon footprint in Finland by increasing renewable energy sources.
Finland recommends the committee takes similar steps in promoting renewable energy as Finland has taken. A target renewable energy percentage, like that of the EU, would be helpful in increasing renewable energy across the globe. Finland believes 30-40% would be a good goal percentage. Governments should also provide subsidies for renewable energy sources like wind power, solar power, or bioenergy. Finland also encourages a feed-in tariff system to pay users for unused renewable energy, therefore accelerating investment in renewable energy. Finland hopes the committee can come to a consensus on attainable goals that will increase renewable energy and slow or reverse the effects of climate change.
- Jill Pierangeli
