Environmental health care – Mitigation
The key role of environmental health care is the implementation of legislation and control related to environmental health in the area of a municipality. In other words, the operation consists mainly of controlling and follow-up that does not cause notable greenhouse gas emissions. As such, chemical control is only responsible for the control of health hazards related to chemicals so it does not get involved in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Saving energy and improving energy efficiency is important in all operations
Also in environmental health care, the most important mitigation means are aimed at reducing the energy consumption of operations and improving energy efficiency as well as reducing emissions caused by passenger traffic and transportations. Since it helps reduce transportations, improving logistics is important. Procurements should take environmental issues into consideration and all operations should aim to reduce waste.
Guidance and instructions for the climate change mitigation measures
Environmental health care should cater for environmental considerations in all its contacts and assume an active role of teacher and information officer in climate change mitigation. In connection to other counselling and instructions, business operators and local residents can be provided instructions related to climate change mitigation activities. Emphasising energy saving and energy efficiency is particularly important.
Mitigation measures in food safety and residential health
Municipal food control monitors the manufacture, transport, storage, export, import, sales, marketing, serving and other delivery of food. In addition to control, each item of the chain can also cater for climate change mitigation: for example, cold storage equipment must be energy efficient and transports well-planned.
In many cases, protection of residential health is related to the improvement of ventilation to avoid mould problems. However, it is of key importance that air-conditioning be adjusted so that consumption of energy remains moderate.
Sources ,
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Säily, S. 2004. Kunnan toimialojen mahdollisuudet liikenteen kasvihuonekaasupäästöjen hallintaan. (The possibilities of municipal operations to control greenhouse gas emissions of road traffic. Abstract in English.) Tampereen teknillinen yliopisto. Liikenne- ja kuljetustekniikan laitos. Tutkimusraportti 55. 142 s. http://www.tut.fi/verne/wp-content/uploads/tutkimusraportti55.pdf
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ABB. Lehdistötiedote 2.11.2009. Energiatehokkuuskilpailu 2009: Ilmanvaihdon optimoinnilla säästöjä ja vähemmän päästöjä. HKR-Rakennuttajan innovatiivinen ratkaisu helposti monistettavissa. Ilmanvaihdon optimoinnilla säästöjä Helsingissä.
http://www.abb.fi/cawp/seitp202/CC09DE59F9B50752C12576620028AD93.aspx
Checklist
Climate-friendly lifestyle: Are employees and customers encouraged to use public transport or a bicycle for commuting? Would it be possible to introduce a ticket provided by the employer?
Encouraging the use of public transport and bicycle and pedestrian traffic
| Strengths, factors in favour |
Weaknesses, uncertainties |
Costs, economic impacts |
| Reduces greenhouse gas emissions. |
How to commit employees to this activity? |
- Providing premises and a commuting ticket by the employer increase costs. |
| The use of bicycle and pedestrian traffic may improve the physical condition of employees. |
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| Enhancing regional co-operation in municipal logistics |
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Sustainable products and procurement: Does procurement take account of the energy classification of equipment, pay attention to the ecological sustainability and recyclability of materials? Are canteens offering vegetarian and/or organic food?
Sustainable procurement
| Strengths, factors in favour |
Weaknesses, uncertainties |
Costs, economic impacts |
| Reduces greenhouse gas emissions. |
How to commit employees to this activity? |
+ Saves money. |
| Saves money. |
Training costs money. |
- Training of employees may incur costs. |
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Must not impair service standards. |
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Information and communication: Have employees been instructed in how to use electricity, heat and water sensibly? Has air-conditioning been adjusted to suit the users' needs? Is it possible to recover heat from exhaust air and wastewater? Has enhancing the production and use of compressed air been examined?
Energy saving at the workplace (saving electricity, water and heat)
| Strengths, factors in favour |
Weaknesses, uncertainties |
Costs, economic impacts |
| Reduces greenhouse gas emissions. |
How to commit employees to this activity? |
+ Energy saving saves money: Energy saving is 2–10 times more profitable than additional construction of energy production. |
| Find the best ways to save energy and improve energy efficiency |
Training costs money. |
+ State aid easier to obtain for energy investments: for energy efficiency audits (40–50%) and energy saving investments (15–20%) |
| Energy saving saves money. |
Must not impair service standards. |
+ Improves the image. |
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How to identify best practices? |
+ Signing of an energy efficiency agreement is free of charge. |
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Progress of plans and strategies must be systematically monitored. Otherwise their benefits may not be attained. |
- May require working hours/an external employee. |
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- Training of employees may incur costs. |
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- Costs may increase at least initially as investments are made. |
Information and communication: Have transport sector employees been trained in energy-efficient driving?
Training in energy-efficient driving
| Strengths, factors in favour |
Weaknesses, uncertainties |
Costs, economic impacts |
| Reduces greenhouse gas emissions. |
How to commit employees to this activity? |
+ Saves money. |
| Saves money. |
Training costs money. |
- Training of employees incurs costs. |
| Higher traffic safety |
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| Improved energy efficiency for equipment |
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Information and communication: Has the office adopted an active role in advising and informing about how to mitigate climate change?
Education and communication
| Strengths, factors in favour |
Weaknesses, uncertainties |
Costs, economic impacts |
| Can reduce residents' greenhouse gas emissions. |
Results can be hard to assess. |
+ Cost-savings in society in the long term |
| Relatively easy to implement |
How to get the message across? |
+ Changes in activity generate savings, for households, too. |
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Change in activity on voluntary basis, therefore not necessarily an efficient method |
- Production and distribution of brochures, and organising events, cost money. |