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Minna Pekkonen

Development manager

Duties

Strategic and administrative matters, supporting the unit director, unit leader substitute if needed, stakeholder collaboration, biodiversity offsetting

Subject area

Nature
Research
Sustainability transformation

Education and academic titles

PhD, University of Helsinki, Department of Biological and Environmental Science

Specialist Vocational Qualification in Leadership and Business Management, Rastor-instituutti

Research and expertise

I work as a Development Manager at the Finnish Environment Institute (Syke) in the Nature-based Solutions Unit, focusing particularly on strategy- and governance-related responsibilities.

In my role as a Senior Research Scientist, my objective is to develop and implement innovative approaches for safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystem services. My work includes, for example, developing and putting into practice operational frameworks for the avoidance and mitigation of biodiversity impacts, as well as ecological compensation mechanisms.

I hold a background in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. My doctoral research applied experimental methods to investigate the evolutionary effects of interspecific resource competition. Through my PhD studies, I gained extensive expertise in ecological and evolutionary theory. I have further broadened my competencies through studies in science communication and leadership.

Throughout my career, I have worked not only in research but also in science communication, research impact, and stakeholder engagement. I have extensive experience in multidisciplinary collaboration with research partners and stakeholders in Finland and internationally.

Selected publications

Soimakallio et al. Transition to a sustainable energy system. Roadmap and synthesis report. Reports of the Finnish Environment Institute, 17en/2026

Huttunen, S., Varumo, L., Toivanen, R., Pekkonen, M. & Lumiaro, R. 2025. Developing a policy innovation system (PIS) approach in the case of biodiversity offsetting in Finland. Science and Public Policy.

Forsius et al. 2023. Modelling the regional potential for reaching carbon neutrality in Finland: Sustainable forestry, energy use and biodiversity protection. Ambio 52: 1757–1776

Korhonen et al. 2022. Empirical insights into knowledge-weaving processes in strategic environmental research. Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning, 24(6): 733-748.

Kangas, J., Kullberg, P., Pekkonen, M., Kotiaho, J. S. & Ollikainen, M. 2021. Precision, Applicability, and Economic Implications: A Comparison of Alternative Biodiversity Offset Indexes. Environmental Management, 68(2): 170-183.

Forsius et al. 2021. Developing a spatially explicit modelling and evaluation framework for integrated carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation: application in southern Finland. The Science of the Total Environment, 775: 145847

Kostamo et al. 2020. Nutrient compensation for aquatic coastal environment – legal, ecological and economic aspects in developing an offsetting concept

Primmer et al. 2019. Institutions for governing biodiversity offsetting: An analysis of rights and responsibilities. Land Use Policy, 81: 776-784.

Raunio, A., Anttila, S., Pekkonen, M. & Ojala, O. 2019. Suitability of habitat types for biodiversity offsetting in Finland. Suomen ympäristö 4/2018.

Policy Briefs

Koljonen et al. 2023. Preventing biodiversity loss with ecological restoration. Syke Policy Brief – Sustainable Solutions for Environmental Policy, ISBN 978-952-11-5576-5

Mustalahti et al. 2023. Globally Responsible, Locally Responsive. Policy Brief. Joensuu: University of Eastern Finland, Responsive Natural Resources Governance (RNRG) Research Group

Pekkonen et al. 2019. Ecological compensations are worth taking into use, Syke Policy Brief – Sustainable Solutions for Environmental Policy, ISBN 978-952-11-5100-2