Artikkelit

Julkaisun nimiLocal policy networks in support of wood-based construction: A case study from Joensuu, Finland
KirjoittajatMd. Rayhanur Rahman, Ida Wallin, Ritva Toivonen, Anne Toppinen
JulkaisijaForest Policy and Economics
ISBN/DOIDOI:10.1016/j.forpol.2024.103225
Julkaisupäivä22.4.2024

Abstract

Wood-based construction (WBC) is considered important for climate change mitigation, as buildings provide long-term carbon storage and contribute to sustainable urban solutions. Research shows that a lack of coordination among policy actors hinders the more rapid development of WBC in many contexts. Gaining a better understanding of the characteristics of local WBC-related policy networks is critical for speeding up WBC development. We conducted an exploratory case study on one WBC forerunner city, Joensuu, Finland. The results from our quantitative social network analysis show that the WBC policy network of Joensuu is moderately dense and mostly consists of research and business organizations. However, the local hub, Business Joensuu, holds a central position in the network despite being an intermediary non-profit business and a regional development organization. Information and knowledge sharing are the most common resources distributed among the actors, which implicitly suggests that the network is primarily contributing to research and innovation around WBC. Considering the diverse policy goal priority, statements related to WBC, actors are mostly interested in climate change mitigation measured by reducing carbon emissions from construction materials, followed by creating new employment opportunities. From the policy perspective, our findings concerning the WBC policy network of Joensuu showcase the importance of national and international policies in the local diffusion of WBC and the key role of collaborative actors.

Julkaisun nimiExploring the potential of circular economy to mitigate pressures on biodiversity
KirjoittajatEnni Ruokamo, Hannu Savolainen, Jyri Seppälä, Susanne Sironen, Milja Räisänen, Ari-Pekka Auvinen
JulkaisijaGlobal Environmental Change
ISBN/DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2022.102625
Julkaisupäivä6.12.2022

Abstract

The effects of circular economy on biodiversity are poorly understood. This study provides observations on approaches for assessing circular economy and illustrates, with a Finnish case study, the potential of circular economy to mitigate pressures on biodiversity. The case study focuses on the construction and real estate sectors, as well as the forest industry. The findings imply that circular economy actions that reduce the extraction of virgin raw materials and relieve land use pressures are effective. Improving material efficiency, increasing the cascading use of wood, and optimizing the use and reuse of materials and products, as well as extending the lifetime of buildings and optimizing space use, have good potential for mitigating pressures on biodiversity in Finland. However, as forest utilization has a major impact on Finnish biodiversity, certain actions that possibly increase the use of forest resources (e.g., replacing fossil-based, concrete, or steel materials with wood-based solutions) may impair biodiversity if biodiversity-enhancing forest management practices are not utilized. Assessing the biodiversity impacts of circular economy is challenging, and the need for further research and the development of indicators and assessment methods is clear.

Julkaisun nimiThe effect of information nudges on energy saving: Observations from a randomized field experiment in Finland.
KirjoittajatEnni Ruokamo, Teemu Meriläinen, Santtu Karhinen, Jouni Räihä, Päivi Suur-Uski, Leila Timonen, Rauli Svento
JulkaisijaEnergy Policy
ISBN/DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2021.112731
JulkaisupäiväFebruary 2021

Tiivistelmä

Pienentääkö energianeuvonta sähkönkulutusta? Havaintoja Suomessa toteutetusta satunnaiskokeilusta.

Kokeilut ympäri maailmaa ovat osoittaneet, että tiedolla tuuppaaminen (engl. information nudging) voi auttaa kotitalouksia pienentämään sähkönkulutustaan. Toisaalta vaikutuksissa on havaittavissa eroja maiden välillä ja myös neuvonnan sisältö tai toimitustapa voivat vaikuttaa tuuppauksen tehokkuuteen. Tässä tutkimuksessa arvioidaan energianeuvonnan ja sosiaalisen normin vaikutuksia kotitalouksien sähkönkulutukseen Suomessa. Näiden tuuppausten vaikuttavuutta tutkitaan satunnaiskokeilulla, jossa tutkittavat kotitaloudet jaetaan satunnaisesti tuupattaviin ja verrokkiryhmiin. Tuuppauksien toteutuksessa käytetään kuukausittaisia energiansäästövinkkejä sisältäviä sähköpostiuutiskirjeitä ja sähkönkulutuksen seuraamiseen tarkoitettua verkkopalvelua. Tulosten perusteella energiansäästöön kannustava neuvonta toimii sähkönkulutuksen seurannasta lähtökohtaisesti enemmän kiinnostuneiden (eli verkkopalvelua käyttävien) kotitalouksien joukossa. Talvikuukausina nämä kotitaloudet vähentävät sähkönkulutustaan keskimäärin 10 % neuvonnan seurauksena. Lisäksi tulokset paljastavat, että vertaisvertailut yhdistettynä monipuoliseen energianeuvontaan voivat kannustaa kotitalouksia vähentämään sähkönkulutustaan. Toisaalta energianeuvonnalla ei havaita vaikuttavuutta niiden kotitalouksien joukossa, jotka eivät käytä sähkönkulutuksen seurantaan tarkoitettua verkkopalvelua.

Abstract

Field experiments have shown that information nudging can help households to save energy, however, the effectiveness varies depending on aspects such as information content, delivery mode and study area. This article evaluates the impacts of information nudges on residential electricity consumption with a randomized field experiment. This opt-in experiment was conducted in Finland. Information was administered via monthly email newsletters and an online energy service platform. The aim is to find out whether i) energy saving tips combined with and without online energy service platform providing electricity consumption information, and ii) peer comparisons (i.e., social norm) influence households’ electricity consumption. The results show a high seasonal variation in the treatment effects within the groups who were registered users of the online energy service platform. Those with access to usage feedback and versatile energy savings tips (without the social norm comparisons) reduced their electricity consumption around 10% in wintertime. The results imply challenges in encouraging energy saving behavior among households less interested in following their electricity consumption.