On Tuesday, 150 Finnish companies came together to present a joint proposal that could revolutionise the country's industrial policy. The initiative, delivered to Prime Minister Petteri Orpö, focuses on industrial renewal and sustainable growth, paving the way towards Finland's ambitious climate targets. Businesses are calling for industry's operational and growth conditions to be a priority in policy-making.
The initiative underlines that industrial development is essential not only for economic competitiveness but also for achieving environmental objectives. Businesses highlight Finland's commitment to climate targets, in particular to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035. Today, industry plays a crucial role, but also faces many challenges, such as improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon dioxide in production processes.
Many Finnish companies believe that it is time to put in place concrete measures that support both environmental and economic sustainability. Technological innovations such as renewable energy and energy recovery are part of the cornerstones of this reform. This development also requires the support and will of policy makers to set a new standard in industrial policy.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, for his part, has expressed optimism that this can be achieved, noting that if the global political situation stabilises, Finland could see a historic wave of investment. This would mean major changes not only in the structure of industry, but also in the structure of the economy as a whole.
The forest-based industry has a key role to play in this reform. In particular, the promotion of carbon capture and utilisation has become a focus of the debate. The use of bio-based carbon could open up new opportunities for the forest-based industry to develop more efficient and environmentally friendly solutions.
Such actions have the potential to reduce the carbon footprint of industry while contributing to economic growth. The forest industry has long been an innovative sector, and now, in the drive towards sustainability, companies want to take full advantage of technological opportunities. This is a somewhat unique moment to be at the forefront of bio-based solutions.
However, for these opportunities to manifest their full potential, a concerted effort, legislative initiatives and financial support from both the public and private sectors is needed. This balanced approach can pave the way towards the fulfilment of dreams: carbon neutrality, increased competitiveness and sustainable economic growth together.
Ultimately, if this plan succeeds, Finland can rise to the forefront of the world's greatest industrial innovations, setting an example for other countries seeking to combine economic growth and environmental protection in the same visionary plan.
