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Working group to draft proposals for sustainable recovery in terms of climate and natural environment

Ministry of the Environment
Publication date 15.4.2020 9.53
Press release

On Wednesday 15 April, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Krista Mikkonen appointed a working group to draft proposals for regeneration measures after the coronavirus crisis to respond to the climate crisis and decline in biodiversity. The group will be chaired by Director Mari Pantsar from the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra and Permanent Secretary Hannele Pokka from the Ministry of the Environment.

The task of the group is to prepare proposals for measures to be included in the Government’s strategic plan and for targeted, fast-working and temporary regeneration actions for the supplementary budget. The group will also examine longer-term actions to boost the transition into a carbon-neutral circular economy and outline actions to be taken on the EU level that are in line with the European Green Deal.

“Now we must look both near and far at the same time. We will survive the crisis, while at the same time we are building the fossil-free society of the day after tomorrow. Combatting climate change and halting the decline in biodiversity must be the key pillars of sustainable regeneration,” Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Krista Mikkonen says.

Term of the working group is 15 April–30 September 2020. The proposals for urgent measures for the working group appointed by the Government are to be prepared by 15 May 2020 and the other proposals are to be completed by 30 September 2020. To complete its task, the group will consult with scientists, organisations and other relevant stakeholders and cooperate with the monitoring and action group for the construction sector appointed by the Ministry of the Environment on 25 March.

Composition of the working group

Chairs

Director Mari Pantsar, Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra

Permanent Secretary Hannele Pokka, Ministry of the Environment

Members

Chair of the circular economy programme Reijo Karhinen

Chairman of the Board Saara Kankaanrinta, BSAG

Chief Policy Adviser Matti Kahra, Federation of Finnish Industries

Managing Director Jukka Leskelä, Finnish Energy

Executive Director for Sustainable Development Helena Soimakallio, Technology Finland

CEO Liisa Rohweder, WWF

Manager for Environmental Affairs Miira Riipinen, Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities

Director Timo Tanninen, Parks & Wildlife Finland

Director General Leena Ylä-Mononen, Ministry of the Environment

Director General Teppo Lehtinen, Ministry of the Environment

Interim Director General Saara Bäck, Ministry of the Environment

Secretary of the working group

Juho Korpi, Development Director, Ministry of the Environment

Inquiries

Terhi Lehtonen, State Secretary, Ministry of the Environment, tel. +358 295 161 000, [email protected]

Mari Pantsar, Director, Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra +358 294 618 210, [email protected]

Hannele Pokka, Permanent Secretary, +358 295 250 234 [email protected]