Finland to offset air travel emissions during its Presidency of the Council of the EU

Finland will offset emissions from air travel during the Presidency of the Council of the EU. This will be achieved by funding projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and simultaneously advance sustainable development goals. Offsetting flight emissions is a concrete climate action and part of the sustainable meeting arrangements for Finland’s Presidency. The approach is driven by the need to respond to climate change.

The amount used for offsetting emissions will total approximately EUR 500,000. The Finnish Government decided to direct funds initially earmarked for Presidency gifts to offsetting greenhouse gas emissions instead.

The four projects that Finland will fund have a measurable effect on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The projects will slow climate change and improve the health and welfare of local communities. In addition, they will support the UN’s sustainable development goals and the priorities of Finland’s development policy.

Finland will finance a project to introduce more efficient cook stoves for households and small businesses in Honduras. Firewood burns more efficiently in cook stoves, which improves air quality and lessens the need to cut down local forests for firewood. A project in Vietnam will reduce methane emissions caused by municipal waste processing and promote circular economy. The project involves sorting municipal waste, recycling plastic waste and turning organic matter into a sustainable fertiliser.

 Meanwhile, a project in Uganda is aimed at providing safe drinking water without boiling. This improves the health of local residents and reduces deforestation. A hydropower project in Laos will produce clean and renewable energy. Greenhouse gas emissions will decrease as hydropower partly replaces fossil fuels in electricity generation. The project will also create jobs for local residents and provide sources of livelihood.

The emissions will be offset through the purchase and cancellation of so-called Gold Standard certified emission reduction units (CER units) generated by the projects. The CER units adhere to both the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the UN Convention on Climate Change and Gold Standard, a scheme established by non-governmental organisations. The cancellation of units in an emissions registry ensures that the same units are used only once. 

It is estimated that the air travel during the Presidency will create 18,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. Cancelling one CER unit will offset emissions equal to one tonne of carbon dioxide. With the budget reserved for offsetting emissions, Finland will purchase 130,000 Gold Standard CER units.