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Ambitious climate goals and green transition will create new opportunities and competitive advantages for both Finnish and European industry, if they are boldly and persistently seized, states Wilhelm Ehrnrooth, Vice President of ESG at YIT.  

There is a lot of railway and train track construction planned for Finland, and it will be intensive for decades to come. Track construction has its own special characteristics, and construction projects vary from technically challenging speciality work to demanding projects that require people with a wide range of different skills.

The energy self-sufficiency of Finland has become an important topic. Self-sufficiency in various forms of energy production improves security of supply, and wind power is an excellent supplement to this. In other words, now is not the time to file appeals but to promote wind power projects that will help Finland become self-sufficient in energy.

There are many foreign companies and workers in the construction industry, which is a good thing. Sometimes, this is also criticised in public discussions. However, the use of foreign workforce is not an end in itself. The shortage of professionals in the construction industry has led us to this situation.

Construction legislation is changing, and low-carbon construction is given more priority. Buildings should be sustainable, low-carbon and adaptable. Material emissions can be minimised by saving the existing structures.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, we will see that our relationship with public urban spaces, green spaces and yards has changed. We utilise the areas more boldly and creatively and enjoy them more than before.

When is the right time to reflect on the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the retail and shopping centre sector?