Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities
AFLRA
AFLRA represents Finnish local and regional authorities to ensure EU policies consider their perspectives.
Lobbying Activity
Meeting with Suvi Leinonen (Cabinet of Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen), Taneli Lahti (Cabinet of Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen)
23 Apr 2024 · upcoming EU priorities
Meeting with Silvia Modig (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)
28 Feb 2024 · Soil Monitoring Law
Meeting with Henna Virkkunen (Member of the European Parliament)
28 Feb 2024 · Current EU affairs
Response to Guidance to facilitate the designation of renewables acceleration areas
23 Feb 2024
Kuntaliitto kiittää mahdollisuudesta ottaa kantaa komission aloitteeseen. Kuntaliitto edustaa Suomen 309 kuntaa, joiden lakisääteisiin tehtäviin kuuluvat muun muassa kaupunkisuunnittelun ja maankäytön tehtävät, vesi- ja jätehuollon järjestäminen sekä ympäristöpalveluiden tarjoaminen. Kunnat vastaavat Suomessa tuuli- ja aurinkovoima-rakentamiseen liittyvistä kaava- ja lupaprosesseista. Suomessa tuulivoimaloiden perustaminen vaatii lähtökohtaisesti suunnittelutarveratkaisun tai tuulivoimayleiskaavan, jonka laatimisesta kunta alueellaan vastaa. Kaavoitus tehdään vuorovaikutteisesti eri sidosryhmien kanssa, ja kaavan vaikutukset arvioidaan laajasti. Tuulivoimarakentamisen yhteydessä kaavaa voidaan laajentaa kattamaan myös YVA-lain vaatimukset. Suuren mittakaavan aurinkoenergiahankkeet voivat myös edellyttää kaavoitusta. Uusiutuvan energian hankkeiden sijoittumista ohjataan myös maakuntakaavalla, joka huomioi etenkin seudullisesti merkittävät hankkeet. Myös maakuntakaava edellyttää laajoja vaikutustenarviointeja sekä alueidenkäytön yhteensovittamista. Maakuntakaavassa huomioidaan valtakunnalliset alueidenkäyttötavoitteet, joten sillä on tärkeä rooli myös kansallisten tavoitteiden toimeenpanossa. Kuntien ja alueiden mukanaolo uusiutuvan energian nopean kehittämisen alueiden määrittelyssä on ensiarvoisen tärkeää Kuntaliitto pyytää komissiota huomioimaan paikallis- ja alueviranomaisten ratkaisevan roolin uusiutuvan energian projektien mahdollistajina. Uusiutuvan energian rakentaminen tuo hyötyjen lisäksi usein myös jonkin verran paikallisia haittoja. Sen vuoksi uusiutuvan energian nopean kehittämisen alueiden määrittäminen ei saisi tapahtua yksin keskusjohdon tai elinkeinoelämän ehdoilla, vaan kunnilla ja maakunnilla tulisi olla keskeinen asema uusiutuvan energian nopean kehittämisen alueiden suunnittelussa. Päätäntävallan lopullisen kaava- ja lupapäätösten osalta pitäisi pysyä paikallisviranomaisella. Hyvä koordinaatio eri aluetasojen välillä sujuvoittaa kaavoitusta ja luvitusta. Lisäksi uusiutuvan energian nopean kehittämisen alueiden suunnittelu voi lisätä vuorovaikutteisuutta myös energia- ja ilmastosuunnitelmien laatimisessa. SUOMEN KUNTALIITTO Lisätietoja: Erityisasiantuntijat Vesa Peltola ja Laura Mäki
Read full responseMeeting with Silvia Modig (Member of the European Parliament)
31 Jan 2024 · Local perspectives on Environment
Meeting with Sirpa Pietikäinen (Member of the European Parliament)
31 Jan 2024 · Relevant environment policies
Response to Managing EU climate risks
12 Jan 2024
Kuntaliiton kannanotto: Yhteiskunnan selviytymiskyky - ilmastoriskien hallinta Kuntaliitto kiittää mahdollisuudesta ottaa kantaa komission aloitteeseen. Pidämme tiedonantoa erittäin tärkeänä ja ajankohtaisena. Kuntaliito edustaa Suomen 309 kuntaa, joiden lakisääteisiin tehtäviin kuuluvat muun muassa kaupunkisuunnittelun ja maankäytön tehtävät, vesi- ja jätehuollon järjestäminen sekä ympäristöpalveluiden tarjoaminen. Lisäksi kunnilla on velvollisuus edistää asukkaidensa hyvinvointia ja alueensa elinvoimaa, sekä valmiuslain nojalla varautua poikkeusoloihin ja huolehtia niiden aikana monista kriittisistä arjen palveluista. Ilmastonmuutokseen sopeutuminen ja ilmastoriskien paikallistason hallinta ovat näin ollen kuntien toiminnan ytimessä. Suomessa ilmastoriskeissä on alueellista vaihtelua. Useilla alueilla riskit liittyvät vesiin, vesien hallintaan ja sadantamuutoksiin, ekosysteemeiden ja lajiston muutoksiin sekä kuumuuteen ja kuivuuteen. Riskien realisoitumisella on kauaskantoisia taloudellisia, sosiaalisia ja kulttuurisia vaikutuksia, jotka usein kohdistuvat paikallistason toimijoihin. Varautumisen kustannukset toteutuvat niin ikään usein paikallistasolla, jossa toimenpiteet tehdään. Liitteenä oleva kannanotto on laadittu yhdessä kuntien ja Kuntaliiton asiantuntijoiden kanssa.
Read full responseResponse to 9th Report on economic, social and territorial cohesion
28 Dec 2023
Koheesiopolitiikan rahoituksen ohjaaminen kuuluu alue- ja paikallistasolle (place-based policy) ja sen tulee olla kansallista rahoitusta täydentävää. Kasvua ja sosiaalista yhteenkuuluvuutta edistävät konkreettiset toimet tapahtuvat kunnissa ja alueilla ja tuovat yhteen laajan joukon eri tahoja kansalaiset mukaan lukien. Suomalaisilla kunnilla on vahva itsehallinnollinen asema ja laaja tehtäväkenttä. Esimerkiksi vihreän siirtymän toteutus kaupunkiseutujen joukko- ja kevytliikenne (urban mobility), jätehuolto, kaukolämpö, yritysten toimintaympäristöjen kehittäminen, vaihtoehtoiset ja hajautetut energiantuotantomuodot ilman kuntia ja kaupunkeja vihreä siirtymä ei onnistu. Alueiden resilienssiä eli kykyä varautua muutoksiin, kestää muutoksia ja selviytyä niistä joustavasti ja uudistuen tulee tukea. Vihreä ja digitaalinen siirtymä sekä huoltovarmuuden ja kokonaisturvallisuuden vahvistaminen luovat pohjan elinvoimaisille ja muutoskykyisille alueille. Muutokset eivät kohtele alueita tasavertaisesti, siksi joustavuus valittavien toimenpiteiden osalta on keskeistä. Venäjän Ukrainaan kohdistaman hyökkäyssodan myötä sulkeutuneen itärajan seurannaisvaikutukset tuntuvat koko Suomessa mutta erityisesti raja-alueilla. EU:n pisimmän Venäjän suuntaisen maarajan sulkeutuminen tarvitsee erityishuomiota niin elinkeinojen, energiantuotannon kuin kokonaisturvallisuuden vahvistamisen näkökulmasta. Suomen liittymissopimukseen sisältyvä pohjoisten syrjäisten ja harvaan asuttujen erityisasema on huomioitava myös tulevaisuudessa. Suomen itärajan sulkeutumisella on ollut merkittäviä taloudellisia vaikutuksia koko Suomeen. Negatiiviset vaikutukset ovat tuntuvimmat niillä seuduilla, joilla rajanylittävä kaupankäynti ja matkailu on aiemmin ollut aktiivista. Venäjän Ukrainassa käynnistämän sodan jälkeen taloudellinen tilanne on heikentynyt nopeasti esimerkiksi Kaakkois-Suomessa, joka aiemmin hyötyi rajaliikenteestä. Suomessa arvonlisäyksen volyymin negatiivinen muutos, työttömyys ja konkurssit ovat lisääntyneet merkittävästi Kaakkois-Suomessa samalla kun rajanylitykset ja rajanylittävän tavaraliikenteen volyymit ovat laskeneet. Vuonna 2023 Kaakkois-Suomen konkurssit lisääntyivät 32 %, lomautukset 200 % ja irtisanomiset 79 % vuoteen 2022 verrattuna. Henkilöliikenteen rajanylitykset ovat vähentyneet 85 % Kaakkois-Suomessa vuoteen 2012 verrattuna, ja trendi viennissäkin on jyrkästi laskeva. Raja-alueiden tulevaisuudennäkymien suunnan muuttaminen on iso haaste paitsi kansallisesti, myös EU:n yhteinen ja kokonaisvaltainen turvallisuuskysymys. Koheesiopolitiikalla tulee olla selkeä oma linja ja tavoitteet, jotka osoittavat millaiseen muutokseen koheesiopolitiikan välineillä tähdätään. Koheesiopolitiikan tulee olla pitkäjänteistä mutta samalla joustavaa suhteessa toimintaympäristön muutoksiin. Koheesiopolitiikan pitää edistää ensi sijassa eurooppalaisten uudistusten ja kehittämistoimien paikallis- ja aluelähtöistä toteutusta. Tärkeää on noudattaa edelleen additionaliteetin ja subsidiariteetin sekä monitasoisen hallinnon periaatteita: yhteisten eurooppalaisten tavoitteiden toteuttaminen ja päätöksenteko siellä missä toiminta tapahtuu, mahdollisimman lähellä toimijoita ja kansalaisia. Alueellisten älykkään erikoistumisen strategioiden toteutus on hyvä esimerkki kumppanuudesta. Toteutusvaiheessa on ollut tärkeää, että alueet, kaupungit ja paikallisyhteisöt ovat politiikkastrategian ytimessä. Monitasoisen hallinnon systeemit ovat avainasemassa tukemassa keskeisten toimijoiden sitoutumista työhön. Poikkihallinnollinen yhteistyö on avainasemassa tavoitteiden toteuttamisessa. Tarvitaan helpompia ja yksinkertaisempia hallinnon rakenteita niin EU:n tasolla kuin etenkin kansallisesti, jolloin eri ohjelmien toimintojen yhteensovittaminen on sujuvampaa. EU:n mahdollisella laajentumisella on vaikutuksia myös koheesiopolitiikkaan. Alue- ja paikallislähtöistä kehittämistä uuden kasvun luomiseksi tarvitaan koko Euroopassa myös tulevaisuudessa.
Read full responseFinnish local authorities demand flexibility in EU soil law
2 Nov 2023
Message — AFLRA wants to ensure the directive allows building on natural land for sustainable communities. They demand that risk management for contaminated sites accounts for planned local land use. The association prefers updating guidance rather than implementing binding delegated acts.123
Why — This would preserve the high degree of autonomy municipalities have over local construction.4
Impact — Environmental safeguards could be weakened if binding management principles are replaced by guidance.5
Meeting with Elsi Katainen (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur for opinion)
25 Oct 2023 · Soil monitoring legislation
Meeting with Sirpa Pietikäinen (Member of the European Parliament)
12 Jul 2023 · UWWTD
Finnish local authorities urge flexible 2040 EU climate targets
22 Jun 2023
Message — AFLRA supports high 2040 climate ambitions while demanding flexibility in local implementation. They propose an active dialogue with the Commission to share practical experiences from Finnish municipalities. Target-setting must be sensitive to local demographic and economic resources.123
Why — Municipalities would avoid excessive costs by choosing the most efficient local emission measures.45
Meeting with Mauri Pekkarinen (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur for opinion)
24 May 2023 · Meeting on Net Zero Industry Act
Meeting with Mauri Pekkarinen (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur for opinion) and Technology Industries of Finland (Teknologiateollisuus ry)
11 May 2023 · Discussion on the Net Zero Industry Act with stakeholders
Meeting with Elsi Katainen (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and Finnish Energy - Energiateollisuus ry
18 Jan 2023 · Nature restoration
Meeting with Petri Sarvamaa (Member of the European Parliament)
28 Nov 2022 · Topical issues in EU politics
Response to Revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive 2010/31/EU
31 Mar 2022
AFLRA considers the proposal for a directive to be too detailed, not respecting subsidiarity, entailing undue costs for the energy transition for both property owners and the economy at large. It includes unrealistic, unpractical and costly demands to upgrade entire classes of buildings in a very limited time-frame. The cost and ambition are also largely dependent on several key concepts and levels that are not sufficiently specified and should not be set at EU-level.
Greater flexibility needs to be given to MS, based on the targets for EED and RED. The National Building Renovation Plans include actions to reach these targets, e.g. district and neighbourhood approaches, life-cycle reduction of GHG emissions, roadmaps and financing.
AFLRA supports ambitious climate and energy targets in line with 2050 climate neutrality for EU. Increasing energy efficiency and expanding renewable energy are necessary to promote climate action, energy security, competitiveness and affordability. Implementation at local and regional level needs to be accompanied by appropriate financial resources and supportive measures, while avoiding over-regulation and increased administrative burdens. Technology-neutrality and a holistic view of energy systems should be observed to reflect varying conditions on local, regional and MS levels.
It is completely unrealistic to reduce the energy consumption in 5-8 years by at least two whole classes, for the 15% of the building stock with the highest energy consumption, and by at least one class for the next class of about 15% of the stock. The short time horizon does not regard the property owners’ planning and need for renovation. It does not reflect the availability of skilled labour and entrepreneurs, the use of buildings, the effect on building values and property markets and the increased costs for tenants.
The cost and ambition are entirely dependent on several key concepts and levels that are not sufficiently specified, but suggested to be established and updated through delegated acts and guidance. This would grant the Commission the control of key cost-driving aspects and give an insufficient influence for MS and other stakeholders, not reflecting varying conditions among MS and creating an unacceptable risk for property owners and investors.
This problem mainly concerns the detailed new Zero Emission Building concept and Minimum energy performance standards in relation to classification of buildings, but also the concepts of energy performance and cost-optimal levels (NZEB).
AFLRA advocates for the energy requirements for zero emission buildings to be set at cost-optimal levels (for NZEB) on MS-level as already in Articles 4-6. The GHG-requirement should regard the phasing out of fossil energy in the energy system at large and also include renewable electricity supplied via the electricity grid.
Renovation passports have the potential to become useful tools for energy efficiency and decarbonisation. However, they have to be tailored to MS contexts with a limited administrative burden, e.g. by replacing the need for EPCs. The proposal is unnecessarily rigid on smart mobility infrastructure, requiring a certain number of bicycle parking spaces, excessive amounts of recharging points in non-residential buildings and pre-cabling in residential buildings to enable simultaneous use for every parking place, not regarding options such as rapid charging. The need for regular intermediate recharging (+15-20 km/hour) is out-of-date as it is clearly based on short range (50-150 km) of old EVS (today normally 300-500 km).
Requirements on direct access to building systems’ data and data exchange are unnecessarily far-reaching, over-estimating the interest of tenants. The stipulated inspection frequency at two to five years for heating, ventilation and air conditioning does not take into account the actual costs and benefits. Requirements for indoor air quality should not be directed to installation of systems.
Read full responseMeeting with Sirpa Pietikäinen (Member of the European Parliament)
9 Mar 2022 · Fit for 55 package
Meeting with Jutta Urpilainen (Commissioner)
8 Mar 2022 · Cooperation with local authorities; Global Gateway.
Response to Review of Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency
19 Nov 2021
AFLRA acknowledges the need for increased energy efficiency and energy savings as necessary components to reach EU climate targets for 2030 and carbon neutrality 2050. AFLRA supports ambitious climate and energy policy and action involving local and regional authorities (LRAs) as forerunners, when accompanied by appropriate frameworks, measures and financial resources. AFLRA recalls the necessity to respect the subsidiarity principle, recognising the role of LRAs and multi-level dialogue and avoiding burdensome and inflexible legislation.
The proposed absolute reductions in energy use and final energy consumption of all public bodies by 1,7% each year will be a huge challenge for most MS. It will require extensive capacity building in terms of finance, competence, guidance, data, reporting etc. Broad application of both existing and new transformative techniques and practices is necessary. LRAs need to be involved together with other stakeholders.
Any target level should consider varying conditions for MS on the need and profitability for energy efficiency, available resources for renovation, population growth and urbanization etc. The requirement for the public sector should be at the same level as the economy at large as the huge efficiency gains from electrification of transport and industry lay mostly outside the public sector. The choice of reference year will also matter, since 2020 saw a sharp drop of energy use in many public activities due to Covid-19.
AFLRA strongly opposes a requirement to renovate 3% of all public floor area (Art 6). It does not regard local, regional & national conditions and actual needs for renovation and how long-term energy efficiency work is conducted, e.g. by efficient utilization of buildings, technical building systems and data, long term planning etc. It would be extremely costly and raise serious financial challenges for LRAs and eventually for taxpayers and tenants. It would raise a number of practical difficulties by not considering buildings of historic interest, lack of skilled labour and construction entrepreneurs, displacing effect on private sector renovation, local property markets, incentive to privatize public activities etc.
AFLRA is convinced that the energy consumption of the building stock can be reduced in more flexible and cost-effective ways. It is also essential to enable a life-cycle approach for GHG-emissions, since construction and materials can account for about half of total building emissions. We strongly advocate for a continued possibility for alternative measures and targets, such as absolute energy savings and increased energy efficiency per square meter. District, neighbourhood and portfolio approaches must also be recognized, to enable LRAs to apply energy efficiency and renewable energy with a wider scope than public buildings.
NZEB and MEPS are not appropriate levels to mandate for renovation and for purchase or rent of buildings, since both are defined very differently among MS, in many cases more relevant to new buildings.
Purchase of products, services, buildings and buildings with high energy-efficiency performance (Art 7) must be clearly left to the discretion of each LRA, respecting the principle of local self-government enshrined in Art. 4 TEU. AFLRA rejects the proposed mandatory requirement for public procurement on LRAs beyond what is foreseen in Directive 2014/24. Instead central government should work in partnership with LRAs to build capacity and further encourage sustainability in public procurement. The present EED reference to cost-effectiveness, wider sustainability etc. should be kept.
Any requirements for tyres must also consider winter conditions. (Annex IV)
AFLRA emphasizes that energy poverty is primarily an issue for social policy. (Art 22)
We support the aim to develop district heating, district cooling and CHP (Art 23-24). However, we see a need to combine waste heat and renewable energy on an equal footing in targets.
Read full responseResponse to Revision of the Renewable Energy Directive (EU) 2018/2001
18 Nov 2021
AFLRA acknowledges the need to increase renewable energy (RE) as a necessary component to reach EU climate targets for 2030 and carbon neutrality 2050. AFLRA supports ambitious climate and energy policy and action in line with 2050 climate neutrality for the EU, involving local and regional authorities (LRAs) as forerunners, as long as it is accompanied by appropriate frameworks, measures and financial resources. In doing so, AFLRA recalls the necessity to respect the subsidiarity principle, recognising the role of LRAs and multi-level dialogue and avoiding imposing burdensome and inflexible legislation upon LRAs. Regulation should be restrictive about introducing more detailed requirements and subtargets, in order to respect varying national and regional conditions.
AFLRA supports the increased 2030-EU-target of 40 % renewable energy. It will be a challenge, but there are also great untapped potentials. LRAs are willing to contribute through their own activities and procurement.
AFLRA objects to the increased detailed regulation and reporting requirements for the use of biomass. Present RED sustainability criteria starting from July 2021 should be maintained, along with national legislation, to meet varying national and regional conditions. New requirements should only be introduced if assessments show that the present ones lead to environmental risks motivating a more stringent approach.
- Introducing a cascading principle is foreign to a market economy, which already ensures that quality roundwood, saw logs and similar are used according to their economic value, and only their waste products as bioenergy (Art 3)
- Introducing a requirement not to harvest stumps & roots, does not allways appear to be firmly based in science. (Art 29)
- Lowering reporting requirements from 20 MW to 5 MW will add a substantial administrative burden on many medium size energy plants. (Art 29)
A 49% share of renewable energy in buildings (Art 15a) is primarily an issue for the wider energy system and only secondly a building level issue. The indicative target should not need to be introduced in MS building codes if fulfilled in other manners. The same goes for requirements of substantial increases in self-consumption etc. We question that the usefulness is greater than the administrative costs for the suggested requirements to make available real time data on the share of renewables and greenhouse gas emission content of electricity. (Art 20a)
We support the aim to increase the shares of renewables and waste heat in the heating and cooling sector as well as in district heating, district cooling and CHP. However, we see a need to rephrase targets to combine waste heat and renewable energy on an equal footing, instead of formulating separate targets. Today in certain localities, major share of district heat comes from waste heat (server rooms, industrial premises, etc.), which makes increasing of RE unnecessary.
Third party access, on non-discriminatory criteria and relevant technical and economic considerations is reasonable, just as the non-discrimination and treatment on fair terms of energy communities and prosumers. AFLRA supports the shift to reducing GHG-intensity, as a technology neutral approach to increase the share of renewables in the transport sector (Art 25).
We support the need to stimulate demand and market uptake of promising techniques such as green hydrogen and RFNBOs. We emphasise the close link with other legislative proposals such as the new AFIR and support the concrete targets for hydrogen refueling stations along the TEN-T core and comprehensive network. Financial support should not only focus on urban nodes. Much of the spatial planning required for hydrogen infrastructure is done by LRAs.
For green hydrogen, an exemption is needed from the additionality requirements, not to create an unreasonable obstacle to investment in electrolysers. (Recital 33, 34, Art. 1(16) amending Article 27(1) REDII, and Art. 3.)
Read full responseResponse to Revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive 2010/31/EU
22 Mar 2021
Dear Sir/Madam,
please find enclosed the feedback from Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities.
Best regards,
Vesa Peltola
Energy Advicer
Read full responseResponse to Climate change mitigation and adaptation taxonomy
18 Dec 2020
Consultation on EU taxonomy for sustainable activities: Input from the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities (AFLRA)
Local and regional governments (LRAs) have a recognised role in implementation of climate targets. This should translate into opportunities for municipalities and regions to participate in decision making and into allocation of resources to municipal and regional climate and circular economy action. AFLRA wants to ensure an equal treatment of local authorities and private actors, flexibility of tools, cost-efficiency and feasibility. The policy measures required to mitigate climate change should be implemented in a fair manner. EU Taxonomy for sustainable activities could be an efficient good tool for municipal climate and energy work, if it is implemented on a feasible basis.
General remarks on technical criteria of the draft
1. Criteria should be in line with the Taxonomy Regulation (EU) 2020/852
2. Criteria should be technology neutral, in relation to GHG-savings and sustainability, e.g. applying life cycle analyzes similarly for all types of energy.
3. Criteria should not conflict with other existing EU criteria, such as Renewable Energy Directive (RED) and Clean Vehicle Directive (CVD)
4. Criteria should be an easy-to-use tool for all actors implementing climate and energy projects in Member Countries with diverse circumstances in regions and municipalities (’A Light Handbook for the Bankers’)
In many cases, the criteria place too high demands and a non-proportional administrative burden on projects and actors. This is not in line with the stated aims of the Delegated Act to ”ensure usability and proportionality” and being ”easy for economic operators to use”. The consequense would be lack of interest in green projects, especially among small and medium-size stakeholders (buildings). The market would also seek for alternative standards.
Spesific remarks on technical criteria of the draft
1. Buildings: Do no significant harm (DNSH) criteria causes too heavy administrative burden for most actors. The DNSH goals should be addressed mostly through national legislation and local planning, and not on a building level. The demands for life cycle analysis and circular design should be implemented only gradually, to develop appropriate systems and experience. Efficiency standards for water appliances should respect the EU energy labelling process and other labeling schemes than UWL. The energy efficiency criteria for acquisition of buildings should not only refer to EPC Class A, for which there is no common EU-standard, but also to NZEB and renovation requirements.
2. Transport: Vehicles operating on biofuels, fulfilling sustainability and GHG-saving according to the RED, should be accepted, too.
3. Water & waste water: Demands on energy use and increased energy effici-ency are set too stringently and have to be balanced vs. local conditions (topography, climate) and the primary purpose to enhance water treatment.
4. Renewable energy: Bio energy fulfilling requirements according to the RED should be classified as a sustainable activity, and not as transitional. Biofuel criteria should follow RED regarding GHG-savings. Instead of 2 MW the limit should be 20 MW in order to not overburden small energy production units. Waste to energy fulfilling BAT-requirements should be included as a transitional activity. Efficient energy recovery is needed from waste that can’t be recycled due to contamination, material fatigue and complex mixtures. Criteria for hydro power should be in line with the water framework directive.
Read full responseResponse to Commission Communication – "Renovation wave" initiative for the building sector
8 Jun 2020
Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities (AFLRA) welcomes the idea of ‘renovation wave’ to address the current low decarbonisation and renovation rates in EU Member countries. The buildings play a key role in improving the energy efficiency in Europe. Public-owned buildings are a most important part of the entity, and the need for renovation has been increasing in many countries.
However, the circumstances in EU Member Countries vary from country to country. For instance, in Nordic countries weather conditions differ considerably from those in Middle Europe or in the Southern Europe, which leads to a different state energy efficiency in buildings. Therefore, the focal points of renovation and energy saving are different, too. With reference to improving energy efficiency, in many cases the ‘easy’ measures have already been carried out. Major energy efficiency measures are normally integrated in a major renovation of buildings, although payback time for energy efficiency investments can be long compared to benefits achieved.
Moreover, the economic profitability of major renovations depends on the location of the building. In sparse populated countries such as Finland the capital value of buildings situated in remote areas are decreasing due to migration from countryside as well as from cities of Eastern and Northern Finland to big cities in Southern Finland. Major renovation increases the book value of a building, but in remote areas the current value could be considerably lower. If a municipality (or an enterprise) has to sell a building at a lower price than the book value (or even has to demolish it), it leads to write-off of the difference between the book value and the current value. If a locality loses inhabitants and/or enterprises, the public and private owners do not want to take a risk to invest in major renovations. In municipal sector, the repair debt keeps on increasing in those areas especially, if a municipality already has faced economic problems (including COVID-19 impacts on economy).
Due to diversity of circumstances it is imperative to take into consideration the local and regional strengths and weaknesses when planning regulatory and non-regulatory instruments for implementation of the renovation wave. One size does not fit all. This applies especially to regulatory instruments. Uniform and ambitious requirements very often turn out to be suitable for one municipality but too difficult and too expensive for another. A combination of realistic regulation and versatile incentives (communication, subsidies etc.) leads to a more effective result.
Read full responseResponse to Gender equality in the EU
13 Feb 2020
Comments by the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities
Local and regional authorities have a key role to play in ensuring gender equality, and in this role they have an effect on the daily life of EU citizens and enhancing the equality between women and men as a fundamental principle of European Union law. This includes the rights of the persons without a binary gender identity.
The Finnish local authorities, municipalities and cities enhance gender equality as democratic actors, service providers and employers. Respect for gender equality, the safety of local residents, and prevention of gender-based violence make the building blocks of a vital and socially sustainable society.
The key targets of EU for gender equality should be linked to sustainable economy, decision-making and safety also at local and regional level. The priorities should also include work-life balance, sexual and reproductive health and economic equality. Special attention should be paid to the position of immigrants and minority groups and intersectionality. The situation and safety of girls and women must be core values and priorities in external relations as well. The delivery of priorities requires a cross-cutting approach and special measures.
Account should be taken of the impact of economic developments on gender equality, and the social dimension should be strengthened (e.g. developments during the crisis in Greece). Gender equality should be given greater prominence within the European Semester. The positive impact of gender equality on vitality should be seen as an asset e.g. the provision of childcare services by municipalities and cities.
Security and prevention of all forms of gender-based violence should be basic rights of all EU citizens. It is necessary to support an efficient implementation of the Istanbul Convention. Primary prevention of gender based violence is utmost important. Most effective it is at local level. Resources for this should be increased at local and regional level.
Strong professional segregation according to gender and traditional gender roles are not only obstacles at personal level but hinder economic development. Decreasing the professional segregation by gender will have a positive effect on the supply of labor force and economy in many respects e.g. changing rigid economic structures, boosting innovations. The possibilities of local authorities for combatting stereotypes in all their activities should be strengthened e.g. in all levels of education which often is the responsibility of local authorities.
It is fundamental for the achievement of equality goals to increase gender equality within the European Semester (also to include sufficient indicators in the framework), in the EU's own decision-making and economy, in representation, and in the impact assessment of decisions. Greater emphasis should be placed on the EU’s gender equality strategy. Gender equality should be a basic norm also in everyday life.
Within the new MFF it should be guaranteed sufficient prominence and resources for local and regional authorities for the promotion of gender equality especially in the key programs in terms of gender equality (Rights and Values and ESF+).
The charter of equality between men and women at local life of the Council European Municipalities and Regions has been proven to be a good practical and policy making tool at local and regional levels European wide. It is also a tool to implement EU’s gender equality strategy. A proper support to its acceptance and implementation should be provided.
Read full responseMeeting with Ville Itala (Director-General European Anti-Fraud Office)
15 Oct 2019 · Discussion on money laundering and fraud prevention
Meeting with Tatu Liimatainen (Cabinet of Vice-President Jyrki Katainen)
25 Jun 2019 · Commission mandate achievements and future of Europe
Meeting with Jyrki Katainen (Vice-President)
7 May 2018 · MFF and Regional Policy