July 6, 2012

Human health and ecology are at the top of agenda in Russia. Cleantech Finland was invited to present and share Finnish experiences and solutions that can help to solve problems in Russia. Also, Solved.fi expert service was introduced for linking the problems with experts and solutions.

A few days ago in Moscow, government representatives and wide range of experts from Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation and Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment were presenting major pollution problems and risks related to air, water and soil throughout Russia.

Environmental health concerns

Many thought already 20 years ago that  Russia - due to polluted industries from the Soviet era - is the market for cleaner and more efficient solutions. However, most of those expectations have not been fulfilled by now. The reason is not only that Russia has vast fossil fuel and natural resources and thus there is no big need to save energy and raw materials.

One major problem is that the public administration has not been addressing environmental issues as prioritizing. There are over 50 heavily polluted cities across in Russia.

“During the forum all agreed that there is a clear need to improve the effectiveness and co-operation of the public administration for setting and adapting new regulations, incentives, allocating funds and making action plans for environmental improvements. Attitude and cultural change is already happening. Particularly younger generation is seeking ecological and healthier life style,” says Santtu Hulkkonen, Executive Director, Cleantech Finland.

Finland is seen as a role model for preserving clean nature and substantial source for environmentally friendly solutions and products.

“Not only can Finland offer its technological expertise, but also administrative and capacity building know-how to start addressing environmental measures holistically and effectively. Solved.fi can be used also for this,” Hulkkonen says.

Today, Russians are least likely to be satisfied with their personal health. For young men, life expectancy sank by nearly four years in just over two generations. There is immediate need to look for solutions and to improve the situation. Russian President Vladimir Putin has allocated funds for “demographic projects”. The goal is to increase life expectancy from 69 years to 75 years by 2018. Cleaner environment plays a key role to solve problems in Russia.
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Image: Cleantech Finland
Relevant sites: The Forum website - Международный Форум содействия модернизации и инновациям России, The Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation- Министерство здравоохранения Российской Федерации, Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment - Министерство природных ресурсов и экологии Российской Федерации