Climate roadmap for the service sectors

Service sectors generate more than 40% of Finnish GDP and employ more than half of the workforce in Finland’s private sector. The Climate Roadmap for the Service Sectors provides a comprehensive overview of the climate impacts and necessary actions within the sectors represented by Service Sector Employers Palta.

Current and target state

Current direct Scope 1 emissions in the scope of this roadmap are 0.95 Mt CO2/a. These come from the following sectors represented by Palta: information and communications, care and maintenance, business and specialist services, administrative and support services as well as entertainment and leisure. The emissions from transport and logistics, which are responsible for a majority of the emissions in service sectors, are excluded, as they have previously been covered in a separate roadmap.

In the baseline scenario, direct emissions are projected to decrease by just over one-fifth by 2035. In the low-carbon scenario, however, the reduction could reach 74%. This requires significant additional actions, particularly the electrification of corporate vehicles and fuel changes.

Main solutions

Electrification and fuel changes are crucial in reducing direct Scope 1 emissions of service sectors. Accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles and alternative fuels is essential, with purchase subsidies for low-emission vans playing a significant role.

Over 90% of the carbon handprint is generated by digital solutions, which are utilized across almost all main service sectors.

Digital solutions are a major component of the roadmap. Over 90% of the carbon handprint is generated by digital solutions, which are utilized across almost all main service sectors. These solutions not only reduce emissions but also offer competitive advantages and new business opportunities. Examples include real-time AI-assisted driving guidance systems that can reduce fuel consumption and emissions by over 10% for buses and trucks.

Needs and requirements

Public sector support is vital. Creating a supportive environment through government policies and incentives is necessary, along with collaboration with the business community to maximize the climate benefits of services. The roadmap suggests several new measures, such as implementing tax incentives for digital investments and promoting green programming. Additionally, for example, efforts to attract data center investments and a flagship program to strengthen service exports are recommended.

Future and positive impacts

The service sectors produce an annual carbon handprint of 3.5 million tons, primarily through digital solutions. This means that the services provided by these sectors help reduce customers’ emissions by this amount compared to a scenario where these services are not used.