07.11.2007, 10:00
The rules of play between companies and public actors in the environmental business must be clarified soonest. In order to benefit from the ongoing international growth in this industry, the public sector in Finland needs to start supporting companies operating in the environmental industry instead of creating obstacles on the way. Above was presented by Jari Sarjo, President and CEO of Lassila & Tikanoja, a speaker at the Cleantech seminar arranged by Sitra on November 7.
”In Finland we have been facing the problem that public administration representatives have been unable to utilise market economy mechanisms to promote environmental care. As environmental problems have been created industrially, we need extensive industrial business activity to solve them”, says Jari Sarjo, a Sitra Environmental Programme participator.
So far environmental business has been created as legislation in the industry has become increasingly stringent. Now market demand all over the world is quickly changing in a market pull direction as consumers are raising their voices to demand that environmental aspects are observed and increased material efficiency maintained. According to Jari Sarjo, consumers understand that environmental business growth serves to efficiently support environmental protection.
”In order to build up a new foothold for the Finnish industry based on environmental business, public administration, the scientific community and companies operating in the industry must join forces and proceed in the same direction. International competition is tightening and a small country can’t afford to waste its resources on disagreement”, says Jari Sarjo.
In his opinion, Finland should definitely target to proceed in the international market, which is where the huge growth prospects are. Plenty of new business is being created as new solutions are sought for to prevent environmental problems, reduce disadvantages and repair damage.
”The timing of Sitra’s Environmental Programme was brilliant. But the programme as such will not help Finnish companies. We need fast practical action between the different players if we want to keep up with international environmental business”, says Jari Sarjo.
The purpose of Sitra’s 3-year Environmental Programme has been to develop environmental technology and expertise to create a significant growth industry in the international field and to enforce Finland’s position as a leading country in the environmental industry. Please see www.sitra.fi/fi/Ohjelmat/ymparisto for additional information about the programme.
Additional information:
Jari Sarjo, President and CEO, L&T, tel. +358 500 405 465
Mikko Saariaho, Communications Manager, L&T, tel. +358 400 538 352