Circular economy in key sectors

This is how we implement the Circular Economy Programme

Various stakeholders and sectors in society must adjust their operating methods and create innovations to make the circular economy a reality. In particular, the construction and real estate sector as one of the largest consumers of natural resources has significant potential related to a circular economy.

Municipal and regional administrations are key players in the circular economy. They have considerable potential to promote services and solutions in urban planning and procurement that support the circular economy. Cities and regions have helped to create cooperation between operator networks and ecosystems that support the circular economy and have collaborated to develop new solutions in real-world operating environments.

What we do and where we are now:

1.  We invite operators to make Circular Economy Green Deal commitments.

  • The work to develop the Circular Economy Green Deal started in March 2022 and was completed in June 2024. Almost 90 operators and stakeholders were involved in the process. The aim is to promote the circular economy transition in companies, sectors, municipalities and regions. The operators have joined the Green Deal with their own commitment starting in autumn 2024, and the implementation of the measures may continue until 2035. Before the final approval, the commitments proposed to be included in the Circular Economy Green Deal are evaluated by a working group composed of researchers of the Finnish Environment Institute, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and Natural Resources Institute Finland. The group evaluates the impact of the commitments relative to the targets of the Circular Economy Programme and the guidelines of the Circular Economy Green Deal. The Circular Economy Green Deal is based on a research project on the analysis and scenarios of material flows in Finland, led by the research institutes. Responsible organisations: Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, Finnish Environment Institute and other research institutes.

2. We will establish a national network of expertise to support the work of corporate, municipal and regional ecosystems in promoting a circular economy society.

  • The network of expertise on the circular economy - Circular Economy Finland established in March 2022 brings together experts on the circular economy, disseminates information and good practices and improves the capabilities of operators in promoting the circular economy. The network is led by Motiva and the Finnish Environment Institute SYKE. Circular Economy Finland and the Green Building Council of Finland also serve as home bases for organisations that are committed to the Circular Economy Green Deal, offering concrete support for the transition into a circular economy. Responsible organisation: Ministry of the Environment.

3. We will enhance awareness and expertise related to the circular economy in the real estate and construction sectors.

4. We will develop the principles of zoning and guidance of construction and the use of spaces in such a way that they support the circular economy.