What We Can Learn From Finland's Green Status

While the news right now seems to be filled with doom and gloom stories about major world powers neglecting the environment, there are just as many stories we aren’t seeing about countries which are making up for it. Inverse recently reported that Finland was ranked number one in a Yale University study for the Environmental Performance Index. These are some of the ways they have achieved it and what other nations can do to follow suit:

Renewable energy

This tends to be the biggest debate and the largest concern for environmental damage as coal and oil reserves quickly dry up. One of Finland’s most notable policies is that currently around 35% of its power comes from renewable sources, especially wind power. Finland is the third largest user of renewable energy in the European Union, according to Yle News. Black liquor and by-products from the forestry industry are also common resources and even private homes are adapted for conserving heat from wood burning stoves. The key exceptions are solar energy, which has yet to catch on due to Finland’s short hours of winter daylight, and electric cars which are still incredibly rare, possibly due to the high cost of owning a car in Finland.

Eco-friendly culture

Recycling is greatly encouraged with both private and public buildings having separate recycling bins. All supermarkets, and even most corner stores, contain recycling stations which allow customers to return plastic bottles and metal cans in exchange for a voucher which they can use for a discount in the store.

Future plans

Finland also acknowledges that more can be done to improve their policies, as they are actually behind their neighboring countries in some areas, and are subsequently making plans for the future. One such plan is to increase Finland’s use of renewable energy to 50% by 2050. After a recent report that the wolf population is dangerously low due to excessive hunting, discussions are in progress on how to increase their numbers or renew Finland’s hunting policies.

Finland still has a way to go to restore and preserve its natural environment, just as every country does, but is gradually improving every year. They are setting the benchmark for environmental protection, which will hopefully help and encourage other nations to catch up.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.