Project description Housing companies in Finland have a strong and unique role. The built environment accounts for about 30% of national energy consumption, thus it is a critical area in Finnish climate policy. There are 2 major challenges for housing companies: the massive ‘renovation era’ already underway for 1960-80s building stock, and; sustainability and energy … Read more
Project description The next National Waste Plan (Valtsu) will be renewed for 2017-2022, and it is currently being prepared by the Finnish Environmental Institute (SYKE). Regions will their make own waste management plans based on Valtsu, and each has different strategies and possibilities (f.ex. existing infrastructure, geography, population and demography). SYKE is focusing on 4 … Read more
Project description Transformations in our society necessitate parallel transformation in civil servants’ work practices, cultures and roles. Responsive and effective and trustworthy policy-making today (in the ‘post-truth’ era) requires a high degree of awareness, collaboration, agility and trust within diverse ‘ecosystems’ of stakeholders working together across sectors towards common societal challenges and goals. This paradigm … Read more
Project description In Finland, food accounts for a fifth of consumers’ environmental impacts and potential climate change impacts food production, industry, self-sufficiency and security. There are currently a variety of risks and bottlenecks – as well as particular strengths – in the food system. To address these grand challenges, the Finnish government has set a … Read more
Project description National hiking areas in Finland are state-owned lands that play a key role in developing activity-based outdoor tourism. The areas are productive land with multiple uses and users, including sustainable tourism, nature-based activities and events, local business services and landscape ameneties. They are distinct from other categories of land use in Finland such … Read more
Project description Finland is currently undergoing a profound digital transformation. The Ministry of Finance is preparing a national program for artificial intelligence (AI) at the same time as national information policy and a new Information Management Act are underway. Through such initiatives, significant growth in GDP and employment are projected. Goals for AI encompass and reach beyond … Read more
Project description Many companies view customer satisfaction as a competitive advantage. Achieving customer satisfaction means respecting laws, including those protecting against false advertising, safeguarding of minors, securing warranties and customer privacy. 2018 marked 40 years of the ‘Consumer Protection Act’ in Finland. However, a recent EU study reveals that familiarity with consumer law among businesses … Read more
Project description Finland has an ambitious target to become carbon neutral by 2035. However, due to the cold climate in Finland, residential heating consumes a relatively high amount of energy. Oil is still commonly used for central heating in single-family homes, and these upwards of 130,000 homes homes represent a significant CO2 emission reduction potential. Moving away … Read more
Project description Finland has an ambitious target to become carbon neutral by 2035. H‘Climate education’ is key to meeting ambitious national and municipal decarbonization targets in the future. In shaping the next generation of increasingly pro-active, responsible and climate-conscious citizens, education can indeed be understood as an important instrument for policy. Today, youth understanding of climate change … Read more
Project description The Ministry of the Interior will set a strategy for the expatriate Finns for the years 2022-2026, which will be published in December 2021. This new strategy aims to explore the sustainable means that can increase participation of expatriate Finns in Finnish society (politics, culture, education, employment). It also looks to broaden the … Read more