Policy instruments for promoting material efficiency: case of Finland

The article analyses how framing of the policy problem affects the design of policy actions in the case of promoting material efficiency. Four recently performed policy design cases in Finland related to material efficiency are analysed. The cases deal with material efficiency in the areas of construction, industrial chemical use, pollution prevention and national resource policy. The discourse used by different stakeholders is used to identify different categories for framing material efficiency and the corresponding indicators. The role of life-cycle thinking as a tool for framing the policy problem is highlighted. Environmental framing has to struggle with other established framing approaches that also have to be recognised in the policy design and if possible, merged together in the policy action. The different categories used to define material efficiency significantly affect the choice of policy instruments. Finally, this contribution proposes elements of policy design that make the framing process more deliberate and transparent.