How Finland can become a leader in bio- and circular economy | HANNA-LEENA PESONEN

RESEARCH: PUTTING THE RESEARCHER FIRST

HowFinland can become a leader in bio- and circulareconomy

The bioeconomy is based on renewable, bio-based natural resources and reduces dependency on fossil resources. Because of its substantial renewable natural resources, a high level of competence in the field and long industrial history, Finland can become a trailblazer in this area.

The use of renewable materials and use of energy alone do not solve great environmental problems such as global warming or the impoverishment of biodiversity. Renewable natural resources must be used efficiently while saving them at the same time.

To curb climate change, carbon sinks are essential. In Finland, this is a problem especially in the forest sector. At the same time, there is a need to increase wood-based products and energy and increase the use of forests as carbon sinks.

The circular economy is needed to support bioeconomy in this challenge. In the future, successful business will be based on wise use of resources. Circular economy business and the digitalisation that supports it change familiar habits but new materials, the transition to a sharing economy and new services such as remote doctors create value to consumers.

The forest sector, and the wood-based replacement of fossil-based materials, such as textiles, give Finland significant opportunities to become a leading country in clean solutions. Finland has demonstrated that it wants to commit boldly to environmental matters. The current climate in society supports the growth of environment-related markets.

STRATEGIC GOAL

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Hanna-Leena Pesonen is a professor of corporate environmental management and the dean of the Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics. Her fields of research are sustainable business, corporate responsibility strategies, environmental life cycle management and the bioeconomy.