Finland and China to collaborate on air pollution control and cleantech

Beijing municipal authorities are considering importing clean technology and operating expertise from Finland to assist in the city's struggle against air pollution.

At the "Beautiful Beijing" Cleantech Cooperation Seminar earlier this month, Ville Niinistö, Finland's Minister of Environment, stated how Finland's experience of heavy industrial pollution in the 1970's led to the adoption of a cleaner growth path.

Finland's clean technology sector is currently worth about €15 billion to €20 billion, which is equal to an impressive one per cent of the global clean technology market, according to Niinistö.

According to a newly released five-year clean air action plan, the often smog-shrouded Beijing pledged to reduce particle PM 2.5 density from 2012 levels by 25 per cent or more by 2017.

Finnish Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen said his country welcomes China's emission control objectives and is willing to share Finland's experience  and expertise on how to protect the environment and promote sustainable development.

Li Junfeng, director of China's National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation, said China definitely needs core technology for emission reduction and greener development.

He considers the "Beautiful Beijing" project an ideal platform for technology exchange as it was jointly launched by the Chinese Ministry of Environment Protection, the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation (Tekes) and the environment authority of Beijing.

Under the project, Chinese and Finnish clean technology companies are expected to carry out research and pilot programs in five major sectors: energy production, building construction, traffic, energy efficiency in major industries and the monitoring of air quality