Hiilivetyille

Hiilivetyille is a neologism used in Finnish climate discourse to describe a hypothetical, multi-sector approach to building a low-carbon economy. The term is not an official policy label and is primarily employed in illustrative discussions or speculative scenarios rather than in formal planning documents.

Conceptually, hiilivetyille envisions integrating energy, transport, housing, and industry so that activities in a region operate with minimal carbon emissions. Typical components include accelerated energy efficiency, electrification of heating and mobility, expanded renewable energy capacity, and, where needed, carbon capture and storage or other negative-emission technologies. The framework also foregrounds local governance, public participation, just transition, and resilience to climate risks.

Origin and use: The term arose in Finnish climate debates in the late 2010s and has appeared in think-tank reports and climate-fiction narratives. It is used both as a concrete planning concept in some proposals and as a thought experiment to compare different decarbonization pathways, highlighting potential trade-offs in cost, equity, and practicality.

See also: Decarbonization, Renewable energy, Energy efficiency, Electrification, Carbon capture and storage, Climate policy, Sustainable city planning.