CLIMATE AND NATURE SOLUTIONS

Concluded project July 2018 – June 2022

In this project, we highlighted information and promoted climate and nature solutions that generate well-being for Finland.

What was it about?

Mitigating climate change and reducing emissions was and remains a matter of great urgency, both in Finland and globally. We do not always fully grasp the scale of the climate crisis, which is why the climate actions and targets planned so far have often been insufficient. Furthermore, in the world of politics, they frequently become overshadowed by more immediate, everyday issues.

To support strategic and ambitious climate policy, there was a dire need for both crisis awareness and functional, proven solutions. We had previously explored the scaling of proven solutions through projects such as Green to Scale.

Within the Climate Solutions key focus area, we expanded our scope to include new and innovative solutions and actions that permeate all of society. These measures helped accelerate the inevitable transition towards a carbon-neutral circular economy.

What did we do?

We compiled information on effective solutions that allow for climate emissions to be cut in an economically efficient manner and on a rapid schedule. We produced high-quality studies and mapped out which methods were most effective in mitigating climate change. We drew inspiration from both within Finland and from across the world.

We also envisioned new solutions awaiting trial. How could Finland be a pioneer in a world where everyone must cut emissions faster than ever before? And how could we reduce emissions most effectively for the national economy while simultaneously creating new, high-value-added business?

From the beginning of 2021, our activities expanded to examine sustainability not only through the lens of the climate crisis but also from the perspective of reducing biodiversity loss. Key highlights of our work included:

Analysing cost-effective and fair emission reduction measures and spurring the ambition of Finland’s climate policy. We made a highly publicised proposal for a sustainable development tax reform (summary in English).
Providing companies with concrete tools and examples for managing their impact on nature and developing nature-positive business models.
Supporting the strengthening and expansion of the European Union’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) to ensure climate targets are met efficiently and fairly.
Highlighting the need to prepare for the energy crisis around the start of Russia’s war of aggression through foresight, energy saving, and domestic production. At Sitra’s initiative, the central government’s joint “Down a Degree” energy-saving campaign was launched, helping to lower electricity consumption.
Demonstrating how Finnish municipalities (in Finnish) can significantly influence emissions and biodiversity – and benefit from doing so economically.
Publishing studies such as Finland’s experiences with economic instruments in emission reduction, municipal climate targets and actions, and a cost curve of emission reduction measures for Finland.
Launching the Exponential Climate Action Roadmap to 2030, implemented with Sitra as the main funder, which was premiered at the opening of the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco.
Producing the Green to Scale for Cities & Communities study, which illustrated how cities and municipalities in the Nordic countries and elsewhere can utilise existing climate solutions.

Who was involved?

At Sitra, a multidisciplinary team of experts tackled climate solutions and new opportunities. We worked in close cooperation with research institutes, expert organisations, and the government. Our goal was to put the results of our studies into practice together with the administration, businesses, and municipalities and cities.