227/08 Social challanges s the basis for foresight - Gaia

structure will force to build higher buildings. Energy
efficient and intelligent building solutions
will facilitate use of new building materials as
well as multiple purposes for buildings. Intelligent
buildings provide opportunities for telecommuting.
Work has become more information concentrated,
and telecommuting is popular and supported.
Transport of goods and peoples’commuting
and their increasing needs will change the
transport infrastructure. That results in decreased
use of private cars, increased popularity of public
transport, non-motorised transport and car-sharing
and leasing. Public transport has to offer new
mobility options, also for the disabled ones.
Modal shift from road to rail is evident as rail
transport presents a more ecologically efficient
and economical option. Logistics systems and
services development require large investments
and inputs in logistics management and training.
As infrastructure will be more dense and concentrated,
it might lead to isolated areas elsewhere as
services and work places move in centres. On the
other hand that allows new opportunities to new
service businesses and entrepreneurs.
Food supply will face new challenges as deliveries
might fail and the society calls for local food
production. Also, fresh and clean water reserves
might be in danger. Will peoples shopping and
eating habits change? Increased local food production
becomes necessary. Ecologically produced
products are in demand, because the importance
to cut CO 2 emissions in food production
and distribution are in favour. Vast variety of related
local services, e.g. home delivery, catering,
restaurant take-out, will be developed and improved
to meet the new demands.
The new dense, community based, IT concentrated
society allows people more free time. The
sustainable choices don’t allow much travelling
and on the other hand the work is static lacking
physical efforts. In their free time people favour
local travelling, camping and hiking. Virtual hobbies
and intelligent IC technology present new
opportunities for people.
5.3 Setting of a vision and
strategic goals and
identification of
the actions needed to
achieve the goals
The scenario work brought up several opportunities
for Finland to learn and take advantage of the
possible changes, the unique location of the
country, natural resources and climate, and the
highly educated population to be competent on
global markets. There was common understanding
that Finland’s strengths are in energy and material
efficiency products and services; renewable
energy, especially bioenergy solutions; IT solutions
and services; and highly educated people.
The vision for 2050 was commonly agreed on
those principles:
Innovative Finland interprets to environmental
sustainability, people’s welfare and economical
success. The key elements of that are top level energy
and material efficient solutions and services.
In Finland there are internationally leading
professionals and export companies in these
sectors.
To achieve the vision of 2050 Finland, some definitions
and pre-requisitions must be taken into
consideration:
Attitudes must change towards energy and
environmental sustainability
Green-house gas and climate change challenges
must be taken seriously in all levels
Environmental competence throughout all
sectors must be improved
Economical aspects of sustainability are
important for maintaining competitiveness
Being a fore-runner on chosen sectors is essential
Directives and regulation must support the
development
Finnish society is globally competent in
sustainable use of resources.
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