Valtiontuet ja European Green Deal

We strongly support the development of the GBER and EEAG to implement new Green Deal targets, including Do Not Harm principle. This gives real added value to current EU environmental law obligations. The Green Deal goes beyond current directives. This should be taken into account in all public investments, too.

That is why it is time to stop public investments in fossil fuels (including peat and infrastructure) and even small hydropower. Now it is time to restore freshwater habitats with e.g. fishways, so this kind of activity should be supported – no new dams anymore even to rivers with many old dams (when building is not always against the Water Framework Directive).

The development in the energy sector is fast. Now we are worried about sustainablity of hydrogen and batteries. The impacts of hydrogen depend largely on the energy source, so only renewable hydrogen and R&D should be supported.

There are similar problems with batteries: now they need minerals that may come from mines with problems in mining waste and waters or human rights. Only R&D of more modern batteries with lower environmental impacts should be funded. This is important also for the revision of the EU Battery Regulation.

In addition, we are worried about sustainability of forest biomass. It can have severe problems with biodiversity, carbon sinks and storages etc. We need stricter criteria for forest biomass than the current RED legislation.

On behalf of SUOMEN LUONNONSUOJELULIITTO RY

Mr. Tapani Veistola

Head of Nature Conservation Unit