Activities in 2000-2001
Protection of biodiversity and forests
In our forest protection work the emphasis is on the creation of an adequate conservation network for the forests of Southern Finland - currently only roughly one percent of these forests are protected. Promoting the creation of conservation networks means stepping up the level of obligatory conservation measures for all forest owners as well as establishing new financial instruments for forest protection programs. SLL is also concentrating on further development of the Natura 2000 network (a nature conservation network of the European Union) in Finland and promotion of the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) forest certification scheme.
SLL campaigns for the protection of endangered species, including the Saimaa ringed seal, grey seal, eagle species, the Baltic salmon and the larger Finnish mammalian predators (wolf, bear, wolverine, lynx).
Energy policy and climate change
Work for the prevention of climate change and for a sustainable energy policy has for years been among the key activities of SLL. After the integration of the Nordic electricity markets, a labelling system for electricity generated by renewable means (solar or wind power, hydroelectricity, biomass etc.) has been introduced by SLL. The idea is to expand consumers' alternatives in electricity markets and encourage them to avoid electricity generated by nuclear power or fossil fuels. An eco-label called 'Norppa' (Saimaa ringed seal) is available to supply companies producing electricity by means fulfilling SLL's criteria. Suppliers may only sell the amount of eco-labelled electricity than their renewable power sources can generate.
SLL participates in the follow-up and critique of international climate change discussions and policy-making. In Finland an SLL representative participates in the national governmental working group on Kyoto implementation mechanisms.
Waste prevention and sustainable resource use
For several years the SLL project on waste prevention, sustainable resource use and responsible consumerism has highlighted the need for ecological efficiency and sufficiency in order to decrease the use of natural resources to the level considered sustainable. In promoting longevity and efficient use of goods SLL stresses the need for renting, leasing, maintenance and repair companies.
National and communal waste authorities are being demanded, encouraged and facilitated to prevent waste generation. SLL co-operates with various stakeholders in order to make eco-efficiency ("more from less") accepted as both a business and a national strategy. The concept of sufficiency is suggested as the next step needed both in personal consumption behaviour and in the national economy. At the national 'Sustainable Finland' Fair in March 1998 these ideas were presented to more than 12 000 visitors. An annual Resource Saving Week is organised each April. Brochures, guide books, posters and other materials are being produced for consumers, schools, local governments, and private enterprises in construction and maintenance. A marketing service for reusable construction parts has been established on the internet. These projects have mostly been carried out with external funding.
'Work for your environment' -project
During the first half of the year 2000 new legislation comes into effect significantly widening Finnish NGOs' and citizens' possibilities to influence their environment Theses are the Land Use and Building Act governing land use planning, and the Act on Environmental Protection.
The 'Work for your environment' -project aims to raise the general awareness of the public on the options provided by these new legislative instruments. The ultimate goal of the project is to motivate citizens to actively participate in early stages of community and land use planning so as to defuse conflicts at an early stage in the decision-making process. SLL is providing education material for members and non-members for this purpose.
International activities
In its international activities, SLL spans three geographical dimensions: global level, EU-level and Baltic Sea/Nordic level.
On the Baltic Sea level, critical follow-up of the work of the Helsinki Commission, an inter-governmental body for the protection of the Baltic Sea, is one of our key tasks. SLL also participates in the work of Coalition Clean Baltic (CCB), an umbrella organisation of over 20 environmental NGOs around the Baltic Sea. SLL operates in Finnish border regions, especially in the St. Petersburg region of Russia, where the emphasis is on energy and nuclear safety-related issues. SLL is also continuing its part in a joint project involving two Finnish and two Russian environmental NGOs, who publish the journal MOCT-Silta ('Bridge').
SLL participates in monitoring the environmental policy of the European Union, co-operating closely with the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), an umbrella organisation of over 130 European environmental NGOs.
On a global level SLL focuses mainly on climate change as well as on the questions of trade and environment. A co-operative informal network of Finnish NGOs monitor and analyse the effects of the WTO and other trade-related issues.
SLL is also a member of IUCN - World Conservation Union, and participates in the work of the national IUCN committee.