Economic Council
Partha Dasgupta to speak about sustainable economic policy in Helsinki

On 1 June, the Economic Council chaired by Prime Minister Sanna Marin will organise a conference on the theme of ecologically sustainable economic policy in the 2020s. The keynote speaker at the event will be Professor Sir Partha Dasgupta, whose report emphasising the economic importance of biodiversity has attracted wide international attention.

The Dasgupta Review, drawn up in 2021 under Professor Dasgupta’s leadership, emphasises the need for the sustainable use of the environment and natural resources; humanity and the economy depend on the services provided by nature, and nature should be considered one form of capital alongside economic and social capital. The review’s background calculations suggest that natural capital has decreased sharply in recent decades. The aim should be to maintain natural capital at least at the current level.
 
The purpose of the conference is to consider what measures will be needed to achieve the objectives set in the Dasgupta Review in the coming decade and how these measures will be reflected in economic policy. The conference will explore a variety of topics, including the key issues for Finland and the special characteristics of the country from the perspective of implementing the report. It will also discuss the challenges the report’s objectives pose for economic policy and public finances.

Prime Minister Sanna Marin will deliver the opening remarks, which will be followed by Sir Partha Dasgupta’s keynote address. Minister of Finance Annika Saarikko and Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Emma Kari will then give their comments. The event will be held in English.

The invitation-only event will take place on Wednesday 1 June at 10.00–12.00 at Little Finlandia in Helsinki. A live webcast will be available on the Government’s YouTube channel. 

Inquiries:
Pekka Sinko, Secretary General of the Economic Council, +358 295 160 189, Prime Minister’s Office
Laura Kotila, Communications Specialist, tel. +358 50 470 6965, Prime Minister’s Office (media arrangements)