The Finnish National Commission on
Sustainable Development (FNCSD)

Suomen kestävän kehityksen toimikunta

Finnish National Commission on Sustainable Development
Ministry of the Environment
Kasarmikatu 25
PO Box 35
FIN-00023 GOVERNMENT
Tel. +358 20 610 100
Fax: +358 9 1603 9320
http://www.environment.fi/sustainabledevelopment

Current and Future Activities

Present and Future Priority Fields

The most important objective of the FNCSD is to make sustainable development part of national policies and administrative practices. The political framework document to enhance this objective is national strategy for sustainable development (Towards sustainable choices. A nationally and globally sustainable Finland), which was adopted by the FNCSD and reinforced by the Government's Decision in Principle in 2006. One of the main tasks of the FNCSD during its current term 2008-2012 is to evaluate and monitor the implementation of the Strategy. Hence a comprehensive evaluation process was conducted in the course of 2009 by an external consultant. The evaluation report was published and presented in the meeting of the FNCSD on December 8, 2009 The evaluation results indicate, among other things, the state of implementation and measures undertaken in various sectors of the society. It also assesses the trends, consistencies and impacts of the national policies and gives an overview on the state of sustainable development in Finland. The report gives concrete recommendations on how to improve the impressiveness of the SD strategy objectives in the policy planning and administration and includes a draft model of a sustainable development assessment tool for that purpose.

The future priorities will encompass the renewal of the SD strategy concept and its content, enlargement of the indicator work to encompass also the operational level and regional indicators, and further development and piloting of the ex-ante assessment model.

The FNCSD work plan for years 2010-2011 contains among others the following theme meetings, of which most are still unconfirmed:

2010 Tentative theme Type of event
Spring The prevention of biodiversity loss  FNCSD meeting 1
Summer Sustainable production and consumption patterns  FNCSD meeting 2
Autumn Local initiatives and solutions for sustainable development  FNCSD meeting 3
Winter Welfare and sustainable development  FNCSD meeting 4
2011 Tentative theme Type of event
Spring Sustainable forestry   FNCSD meeting 1
Summer The changes in Finland's population structure – challenges for the Finnish welfare state and sustainable development   FNCSD meeting 2
Autumn Equality and sustainable development   FNCSD meeting 3
Winter The overall assessment on the implementation of Finland's national strategy for sustainable development ( 5-year assessment)  FNCSD meeting 4

Priority fields in 2009

The FNCSD met last year on the following topics:

2009      Theme Type of event
11 February Assessing impacts of National Strategies for Sustainable Development - from methodology development to policy process and outcomes International workshop
1 April The protection and sustainable use of the Baltic Sea FNCSD meeting 1
2 June  Sustainable economy - from the economic crisis towards a sustainable economy (working title) Workshop
8 June Sustainable Development Programmes and Environment Management Systems for the state administration  FNCSD meeting 2
7 October Strengthening the sustainable development knowledge-base - interface between policy and science FNCSD meeting 3
8 December Comprehensive national evaluation on sustainable development - release of the final report FNCSD meeting 4

Background and Mission

Establishment

In the aftermath of the UN Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, the Government of Finland established the Finnish National Commission on Sustainable Development (FNCSD) in 1993 to promote sustainable development in Finland. The Commission has operated continuously since that time. The terms of the Commission are five years in length and they are staggered with the four-year Parliamentary election terms. The Government set a new period 2008-2012 for the FNCSD in February 2008.

Mission

The FNCSD acts as a forum where different stakeholders can present their ideas, goals and programs and engage in a broad debate about sustainability. The Commission has introduced and debated many highly topical themes, acted as an interpreter between national and international sustainable development trends and supported the work carried out by various actors. The Commission has played an active role in the preparation, endorsement and approval of different strategies, programs and processes for sustainable development, including the National Strategy for Sustainable Development (June 2006). A discussion forum open for different groups of actors has also been seen as a valuable factor building up national integrity.

Council Members

The composition of the FNCSD is broad. In order to give political impetus to the work, the Government has taken the lead in the Commission. It was chaired by the Prime Ministers - four altogether - for 14 years, until April 2007. After the parliamentary election in 2007 the Minister of Labour took the lead together with the vice-chair, the Minister of the Environment. Four other Ministers from the Government as well as representatives from all spheres of the Finnish society are members of the Commission. The Parliament, public administration including local authorities, business and industry, labour unions, NGOs, various interest groups, the media and churches are all invited to give their input in guiding Finland into a sustainable path. Finland's two official languages Finnish and Swedish have also been taken into account in the representation, as well as the Finnish indigenous people Sami. The present commission is elected for 2008-2012.

 

MEMBER

DEPUTY

1.

Chair: Minister of Labour Anni Sinnemäki, Ministry of Employment and the Economy

2

Vice-Chairperson: Minister of the Environment Paula Lehtomäki

 

The government 

3.

Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen

4.

Minister of Communications Suvi Lindén

5.

Minister of the Interior Anne Holmlund

6.

Minister of Culture and Sport Stefan Wallin

Parliament and self-government bodies

7.

Member of Parliament Tanja Karpela, Foreign Affairs Committee

Member of Parliament Pekka Haavisto, Foreign Affairs Committee

8.

Member of Parliament Susanna Huovinen, Environment Committee

Member of Parliament Pentti Tiusanen, Environment Committee

9.

Member of Parliament Marjo Matikainen-Kallström, Committee for the Future

Member of Parliament Mats Nylund, Committee for the Future

10.

Klemetti Näkkäläjärvi, President, Sami Parliament

Pekka Aikio, Sami Parliament

 

Ministries

11.

Ritva Koukku-Ronde, Director-General of the Department for Global Affairs, Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Pekka Säilä, Deputy Director-General of the Department of External Economic Relations, Ministry for Foreign Affairs

12.

Permanent Secretary Ritva Viljanen, Ministry of the Interior

Olli Muttilainen, Director-General of the Administrative Unit, Ministry of Justice

13.

Permanent Secretary Kari Rimpi, Ministry of Defence

Antti Kivipelto, Director of the Community and Environment Unit, Ministry of Defence

14.

Permanent Undersecretary of State Martti Hetemäki, Ministry of Finance

Senior Budget Secretary Päivi Valkama, Ministry of Finance

15.

Director Jaana Palojärvi, International Relations, Ministry of Education

Director-General Håkan Mattlin, Ministry of Education

16.

Permanent Secretary Jarmo Vaittinen, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

Director-General Timo Kotkasaari, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

17.

Permanent Secretary Harri Pursiainen, Ministry of Transport and Communications

Director-General Pekka Plathan, Ministry of Transport and Communications

18.

Undersecretary of State Markku Wallin, Ministry of Employment and the Economy

Deputy Director-General Antti Joensuu, Ministry of Employment and the Economy

19.

Deputy Director-General Reijo Väärälä, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health

Ministerial Adviser Merja Huovinen, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health

20.

Permanent Secretary Hannele Pokka, Ministry of the Environment

Director-General Pekka Jalkanen, Ministry of the Environment

 

Municipalities and regions 

21.

Manager for Environmental Affairs Maija Hakanen, Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities

Chief Architect Ritva Laine, Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities

22.

Executive Director Pentti Hyttinen, Regional Council of North Karelia

Executive Director Asko Peltola, Regional Council of South Ostrobothnia

 

Business and industry

23.

Adviser Helena Vänskä, Confederation of Finnish Industries EK

Adviser Hans Grahn, Confederation of Finnish Industries EK

24.

Director Markku Tornberg, Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners MTK

Director Tage Ginström, Central Union of Swedish-speaking Agricultural Producers in Finland (SLC)

25.

Anders Portin, Senior Vice-President, Sustainable Development and Resources, Finnish Forest Industries Federation

Managing Director Sirpa Smolsky, Association of Finnish Steel and Metal Producers / Federation of Finnish Technology Industries

26.

Adviser Matti Räisänen, Federation of Finnish Commerce

Development Director Ulla Rehell, Federation of Finnish Commerce

27.

Director Risto Suominen, Federation of Finnish Enterprises

Legal Adviser Elina Rimppi, Federation of Finnish Enterprises

 

Trade unions 

28.

Pia Björkbacka, Adviser, Business and Economic Policy, Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK)

Riikka Tella, Negotiator, Collective Agreements, JHL – The Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors

29.

Leila Kurki, Senior Adviser, Employment Policy, Finnish Confederation of Salaried Employees STTK

Riitta Työläjärvi, Senior Adviser, Social and Health Policy, Finnish Confederation of Salaried Employees STTK

30.

Senior Adviser Mats Nyman, Confederation of Unions for Professional and Managerial Staff in Finland (Akava)

Special Adviser Marjatta Melto, Trade Union of Education in Finland OAJ

 

Education

31.

Rector Kaisa Lindström, Finnish Adult Education Association (FAEA)

Chairperson Merike Niitepõld, Associations for Environmental Education of Finland

 

Non governmental organisations

32.

Inka Hopsu, Service Centre for Development Cooperation (KEPA)

Executive Director Timo Lappalainen, Service Centre for Development Cooperation (KEPA)

33.

MA (Education) Tuula Ahola, National Council of Women of Finland

Researcher Kaarina Kailo, NYTKIS – The Coalition of Finnish Women's Associations

34.

Secretary-General Petra Yliportimo, Finnish Nature League, Finnish Youth Co-operation Allianssi

Johanna Haapala, student in agriculture and forestry, National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL)

35.

Co-ordinator Karoliina Luoto, Finnish Sports Federation

Nina Räike, Coordinator of the Activity for Children and Young People, Suomen Latu – The Central Association for Recreational Sports and Outdoor Activities

36.

Project Manager Juha Beurling, Finnish Consumers' Association

Executive Director Kaisa Pannimaa-Pätsi, Kuluttajat-Konsumenterna – The Consumer

37.

Executive Director Helena Laukko, UN Association of Finland

Programme Director Inka Hetemäki, Finnish National Committee for UNICEF

38.

Executive Director Janne Juvakka, Finnish Centre for Health Promotion

Chief of Membership Relations Marja Vuorinen, Finnish Federation for Social Welfare and Health

39.

M.Sc.(Admin.) Leo Stranius, Friends of the Earth Finland

Secretary General Liisa Rohweder, WWF Finland

40.

Director Eero Yrjö-Koskinen, Finnish Association for Nature Conservation (SLL)

Christel Åström, Finnish Society for Nature and Environment NoM

41.

Author Eeva Kilpi, Union of Finnish Writers

Painter Juha Okko, Artists' Association of Finland

42

Freelance environmental journalist and non-fiction writer Kari Rissa, Environment Journalists

Journalist Mona Sandell, Finnish Broadcasting Company, Environment Journalists

Churches

43.

Secretary for Social Responsibility Ilkka Sipiläinen, EvangelicalLutheran Church of Finland

Risto Ikäheimo, Chief of Administration, Orthodox Church of Finland

 

Science and research

44.

Professor, Vice-Rector Riitta Keiski, University of Oulu / Finnish Council of University Rectors

Vice-rector Teemu Kokko, HAAGA-HELIA University of Applied Sciences / Rectors' Conference of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences (ARENE)

45.

Academy Research Fellow Jouni Korhonen, Finnish Society for Industrial Ecology

Professor Janne Hukkinen, Finnish Society for Environmental Social Science

Staff members

The work of the FNCSD is outlined and prepared by an inter-ministerial secretariat, which operates as a network and convenes 8-10 times a year. The secretariat comprises about 20 members from different ministries, each taking the lead in preparations for themes within their area of expertise. The FNCSD´s Secretary General (Mr. Sauli Rouhinen) and Deputy Secretary General (Mrs. Annika Lindblom) come from the Ministry of the Environment, which also looks after practical arrangements and provides funding for the Commission's work.

Work style

Tasks of the Council

The central tasks of the Commission are to promote, evaluate and monitor the implementation of Finland's national strategy for sustainable development (2006) as well as to provide information about the results of the implementation. The task of the Commission is to ensure that the different actors, both in cooperation and separately, advance the proposals set out in the strategy. The particular focus of the Commission's work is to strengthen the dialogue with Parliament's committees on the direction of national sustainable development policies.
Another key task of the Commission is to engage as many societal actors as possible to promoting sustainable development policy objectives in their own activities. 
In relation to the Government, the Commission functions as a broad-based and competent partnership network in the area of sustainable development. 
The Commission supports a closer connection between the national sustainable development policies and the sustainable development processes of the United Nations, the European Union and the regions (especially Nordic and Arctic), monitors these processes and cooperates with the European sustainable development networks.

Substructure and Working Groups

The FNCSD can establish working groups and subcommittees as considered appropriate. In order to improve the coordination of SD policies between the national and local levels, the Finnish National Commission on Sustainable Development established a Sub-committee on regionally and locally sustainable development in June 2007. The Sub-committee is mandated to promote sustainable development in regional and local administrations as well as in cooperation with each other and the state government. As a special task the Sub-committee is designed to contribute to the implementation of the National Strategy for Sustainable Development (2006) and take initiatives to the national sustainable development policy process. The Sub-committee is expected to take notice especially on issues concerning climate change mitigation and adaptation, promotion of sustainable energy and consumption and production patterns, environmental education, eco-efficient land use, transport services and community planning, and waste management and recycling.

Type of Advice

The meetings of the FNCSD are based on a work plan (2008-2012) covering themes highlighted in the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation and in the national sustainable development strategy (2006). As a result of the thematic discussions in the meetings, the FNCSD does not provide any formal or binding advice but rather draws up trends and fresh prospects on sustainable development. It can also give guidelines to various actors; an example being the Guidelines for the Public Administration to Prepare Sustainable Development Programmes (2007). The high-level political leadership of the FNCSD facilitates better publicity of the work and stronger commitment of the Government, administration and the stakeholders to the objectives set in the strategy.

Council Meetings

The FNCSD convenes four times a year and the meetings usually last for two hours. See "Current and future activities" (dates to be confirmed) 

Activities in the EEAC Network

The FNCSD is an observer in the EEAC Working Group Sustainable Development.

List of Publications Available in English

 

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Last update:15 January 2010.