From carbon footprints to handprints, firms and initiatives in Finland are doing a new kind of ‘avanto’ and cutting a brave hole in the cold despair of icy carbon-footprint sheets. Here’s a dip
In the latest UN Sustainable Development Report, Finland takes the top spot with an SDG Index score of 87.02. Over 50 per cent SDG Targets have been achieved or are on track, and SDGs on ‘no poverty’ as well as ‘affordable and clean energy’ are some prominent marks on report dashboards that capture SDG’s achieved. Its capital Helsinki also happens to be the number 1 city in the rankings of Global Destination Sustainability Index 2024. But what really catches your eye and breath both- is the way businesses here are dovetailing this momentum towards a better planet. Who better than Helena Saren, Mission Lead, Zero Carbon Future at Business Finland to tell us more about this ‘sisu’ – how has the country’s business side been working towards environmental goals as a self-chosen priority and not as a regulatory tick-box or unpleasant externality.
Congrats on bagging top spots in global rankings. How does Finland pull that off? What kind of focus has Business Finland brought in?
When we look at environmental goals, Business Finland works as an enabler. Sustainability is a focus for us at a national level and that is visible in different parts of the society, including the business. Our history and mindset have always been about less energy-dependence; and that too with a diversified approach. We can see how that diversity-element plays out in an advantageous way in the current political situation. If we look at the next 50 years, our planet’s coal and fossil deposits will not last. New ones have been discovered but in places like The Arctic or Deep Sea so they are again prohibitive to use. We are running out of materials and have to be ready for a new future for the planet. Thankfully, for businesses in Finland sustainability is not an add-on facet but a foundational thing. In Finland, that is a deeper fabric. I remember our childhood in summer cottages with no electricity or running water. We have nature preservation areas not far off from our cities. Our focus on environmental goals is very deep and innate.
Recently, 200 leading companies here made a plea Finland Declaration on environmental goals – which urged about not minimising environmental targets and how companies want to do their share.
As the head of Zero Carbon area here, have you ever seen ‘growth’ and ‘carbon goals’ moving in conflict? Do they correspond well?
We have been watching them coming closer to one another. At some point, strong economic drivers will kick in, even if that is not happening now. As resources become rare and costly, new business models will emerge and these two areas will become more and more intertwined. Recently, 200 leading companies here made a plea Finland Declaration on environmental goals that was presented to the PM – which urged about not minimising environmental targets and how companies want to do their share. The private, public and retail sectors in Finland interact with each other -a lot- on these issues. If we look at manufacturing industries in Finland – during the last 4 years, emissions from the purchased energy went down by 45 per cent and turnover increased up by 43 per cent – a clear example that clean transition is not only about investments but it can truly generate new prosperous businesses.
During the last 4 years, emissions from the purchased energy went down by 45 per cent and turnover increased up by 43 per cent
When we think of Zero Carbon- what about the different pieces inside- carbon capture, storage and utilisation? Should they be interconnected for real impact? Would it matter if they are?
It is essential for all us to move well towards carbon neutrality. Capture and utilisation are top areas that are relevant and interesting from a business-dimension. I would love to see more ideas and companies utilise the carbon here in innovative ways – like non-fossil chemicals, food, solar food for space projects. On the storage front, our geological conditions and groundwork are a little different – not amenable easily to storage. Some discussions and agreements are, however, in progress.
Which renewable source appears right for the next decade- in terms of scalability, affordability and business-plausibility?
Hydro will stay at similar levels in terms of slice of generation, solar will rise (with Winters being a challenge, for sure) and wind energy will grow prominently. We are also covering Nuclear. Ours is one of those few countries that has a focused policy on research and development here and its use in a diversified energy basket. Some plants will see end-of-life walls in the next 10 years so a lot would depend on political conditions after that but right now we are using SMR in local energy utilisation and in electricity-plus-heat generation.
You also invest in offshore wind energy- what makes it compelling?
Our main slice if from onshore wind farms but we have also started developing on offshore wind – specially on shallow water. We have ice and temperature challenges but offshore has a huge potential. There are many wind projects in pipeline. We aim to double the electricity component ahead.
How do you reckon the new Greenhouse Gas Protocol revisions that are expected to affect Scope 2 emissions? Does accounting rigour help or deter on-ground efforts- does it create more reasons or more red tape?
In Finland, we are very much doing what is needed. The share of Finland’s CO2-free electricity generation was 95 per cent in 2024. Companies have taken good care of renewable energy investments and have strong ground on scope 1 and 2 emissions. Scope 3 areas are a bit different. There are a lot of drivers. But there can also be overwhelming reporting. Accounting should support pace without being an external force. In EU and Finland, we pay a lot of emphasis on transparency and Science-based facts. But complexity should not come in the way of advancement of environmental goals.
Is it easy to be fair and democratic – to poor income-strata-regions and third-world countries- when working towards carbon reduction?
From our point-of-view, we have created good carbon handprint- i.e. positive climate impact. No country should be forced to compromise on quality-of-life when it comes to moving environmental goals forward. But each and every person on this Earth can make a difference. We can actually support emerging countries in making quantum leaps with digitalisation instead of they being treated as dumping grounds. They can move directly to the stage of handprints. There is a huge opportunity for emerging markets and renewable businesses.
What has been the highlight of your organisation’s journey in the last four to five years? What was the biggest challenge encountered?
The mindset shift in companies –has been the most satisfying one. Finland companies look at carbon neutrality and sustainability with a strong focus. The challenge is not related to Finland but at an international level- the lack of a systematic and holistic view.
What can Finland and India come together for?
It’s impressive to see 3000 Indian students in our universities. We see a lot of scope in gaining from talent, skills and start-ups in emerging areas as well as doing international collaborations. Specially in realms like smart grids, AI, clean markets, and emerging businesses.
By Pratima H
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