3.3. Emission trading

The extensive series of questions concerning climate change, the Kyoto climate agreement aiming at combating it, and emission trading included in the previous study more than anything else showed people’s uncertainty about the subject area. In so far as any kind of structuring could be seen in the opinions, some kind of a ‘in principle good, but' view rose to the top. The results did not provide any direct answer to the question of whether emissions trading is an advantage or disadvantage to our country.

Now when some experience has been gained from the new system, the situation is not substantially different. In addition to the extensive uncertainty, the opinions are characterised by a basic sceptical tone. The claim referring to the problems of emission trading, ‘Even if the emission training initiated within the sphere of the EU as such has good aims, it causes great problems for Finland’, is considerably more advocated (45%) than opposed (13%). Because the form of the question is new, a comparison with the earlier results cannot be performed [Figure 18a.]. In an examination by population group attention is paid to the strong differences according to age – just like in the earlier opinions concerning emission trading. Young age groups and students do not see emission trading in as negative a light as older people do (not in the figure).

Almost total uncertainty is reached when the long-term benefits of emission trading are assessed. The claim ‘With time Finland will benefit from emission trading, not only environmentally, but also financially’ in practice remains without a response. Three out of five (61%) are without an opinion. The result is understandable in the respect that this is surely a matter that no one can know for certain. However, the distribution does not reveal even a belief (willingness to believe) in the meaningfulness of emission trading at the level of principle, which is the primary purpose of the measurement [Figure 18b.].

In the defence of the ‘ignorant’ people it must also be stated that being without an opinion is not only human, but also honest and rational. This is particularly true when observing the fact that the subject area is new, complex and difficult to perceive. The degree of contradiction in the information provided to the public does not facilitate opinion-building either. Opinions on emission trading are also examined later in connection with attitudes towards the electricity market (Chapter 7.2.).