Environmental programme
Western Finland on its way to becoming a leading region in Europe
The central vision of Western Finland's environmental programme is that the Western Finland region in all its activities should be a leading, co-ordinating region for environmental protection, not only within the country, but also throughout Europe.
Many experts from different interest groups participated in the drafting of the environmental programme. The three provinces of the Western Finland region (Ostrobothnia, Central Ostrobothnia and Southern Ostrobothnia) have chosen the environment as a central development area in the common work on the environmental programme. The regional goals were agreed upon in co-operation
The central goals of the environmental programme are to maintain our valuable cultural landscapes, such as the archipelago villages on the coast, the wooden quarters of the towns and the ribbon-like settlement in the river valleys. Unfinished large flood protection works will be completed and the fields in the river valleys can then be cultivated without the threat of floods. The state and usability of waters will be improved and natural diversity preserved.
These goals are to be achieved by following the principles of sustainable development, by using renewable resources in a sustainable way and by increasing environmental awareness.
Western Finland strives to be a leading region in all its activities when it comes to responsible environmental protection:
- Environmental awareness and responsibility are to be increased and people's relation to nature is to be promoted.
- Economically, ecologically and socially sustainable development is to be taken into consideration in all production, especially when it comes to medium-sized and small-scale industries.
- The use of natural resources will be sustainable.
- The vitality and traditions of populated areas are to be safeguarded: the development of cultural landscapes is to be based on observations of river valleys, the interaction between the countryside and the towns will be increased, town areas are to be strengthened through regional planning, and town centres are to be developed into many-sided areas, with respect for traditions.
- The state of water bodies is to be improved: ecological principles are to be followed in the use of river systems and their catchments (especially when it comes to agriculture and forestry), the pollutant load to surface waters and ground water will be reduced considerably, and the functionality and versatility of waters are to be improved by means of restoration activities.
- The diversity and richness of nature are to be safeguarded: environmental protection is to be taken into consideration in all land use and use of natural resources, and a representative network of conservation areas that includes different natural habitat types and their habitats will be established.
For more information
- Ms. Hannele Ilvessalo-Lax, tel. +358 40 543 2530, e-mail forename.surname@ely-keskus.fi [hannele.ilvessalo]
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