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

market already. Intelligent renovation solutions,
new materials, insulation technologies and integrated
ICT solutions in buildings among many
are Finland’s future export products. Finnish
know-how of full concepts, design and planning
services and intelligent building products, all
those material and energy efficient of course, will
be in demand on global market.
This sector needs strong support for maintaining
the expertise and developing the products and
services for global market in the future.
Efficient processes
One of Finland’s strongest sectors has been energy
intensive process industry. In order to be
competent on the market the processes have been
developed energy and material efficient. That expertise
and experience is valuable in developing
new industries and products, but also as service
product on global market. Investments in developing
and productizing energy and material efficiency
service concepts and applications
strengthen Finland’s role in global competition.
Design
Finland is known for its designers and design industry.
New devices and appliances come to market
in ever increasing pace. New models follow
the previous ones in a few months’ time, demand
for new designs and attractive products is increasing.
Finland could generate a growing business of
design services and concepts on global market.
Small-scale energy production
applications
Finland is sparsely populated country in cold climate
zone. Development of energy production
systems in remote areas has been a necessity. The
technology has been developed alongside with
the larger-scale applications. Micro-generation
has been developed using different sources of energy,
however, in Finland bioenergy is naturally
the most important source. The small-scale appli-
cations suit well in other environments also and
could make a successful export product on global
market, especially in remote areas.
Recommendations
The main driving forces towards sustainable energy
and material efficient society are the climate
change and increasing competition on decreasing
energy supply. The threat of international crisis,
uncertainty of global politics and whether values
and attitudes support sustainability present new
challenges also. To reach the target of successful
and operational society based on material and energy
efficiency the following initiatives and actions
are recommended.
R&D and education
Comprehensive education and training on energy
and material efficiency for all. The biggest challenges
are in provision of continuing education
and training for all working force including policy
and decision makers, administration, private
and public sector services and industry. Primary
and vocational education is important also, material
and energy efficiency should be integrated in
curricula to produce competence in all sectors of
society. Information dissemination and behaviour
change training complement the specific education
on all levels.
Investing in stronger and more competent basis of
basic and applied research in material and energy
efficiency, and capacity building, enables the industry
to adapt the research results, demonstrate
the findings and develop new business opportunities.
Competent capacity of all stakeholders and efficient
R&D&I will support the change. Efficient
R&D&I mean open mind, active dialog and flawless
cooperation between universities and research
institutes, government organisations and
the industry.
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