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Collaboration and networks are prerequisites for a sustainable transformation

Promoting environmental solutions in collaboration with others is an important part of the Finnish Environment Institute’s mission.
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We collaborate with domestic and international research institutes and universities and are members of several international working groups and networks. Our expert services cater to clients such as ministries, businesses, and municipalities around the world. We manage and develop the implementation, monitoring, and reporting of many international agreements.

Syke researchers involved in scientific panels

The Finnish Climate Change Panel

The Finnish Climate Change Panel promotes dialogue between science and policy on climate issues. The panel compiles researched information and provides recommendations to support climate policy decision-making.

The chair of the panel for the term 2024–2027 is Professor Jyri Seppälä, head of the Finnish Environment Institute. Research professor Paula Kivimaa and senior researcher Sampo Soimakallio from Syke are also panel members.

The Finnish Nature Panel

The Finnish Nature Panel gathers research data on biodiversity for use by decision-makers, experts and citizens. The Finnish Nature Panel is an independent panel of scientific experts that supports nature and biodiversity policy planning and decision-making.

In The Finnish Nature Panel, Syke is represented by senior researcher Heikki Mykrä and senior research scientist Minna Pappila.

Expert Panel for Sustainable Development

The Expert Panel on Sustainable Development supports decision-making and social debate on sustainable development by providing research-based understanding and promoting the reconciliation of environmental, economic and social issues.

Research professor Minna Kaljonen from Syke is a member of the Expert Panel on Sustainable Development.

The Finnish Forest Bioeconomy Science Panel

The Finnish Forest Bioeconomy Science Panel offers independent and interdisciplinary research information on the sustainable and versatile use of Finland’s forests. The panel strengthens the knowledge base for decision-making and supports the development of forest-based innovations.

In The Finnish Forest Bioeconomy Science Panel, Syke is represented by Riikka Paloniemi, docent of environmental policy.

Collaboration with municipalities

Syke leads and develops municipal networks together with municipalities, cities, stakeholders, and ministries. The purpose of the networks is to support municipalities in their work on energy, climate, circular economy, environment, and nature, as well as to facilitate networking with other municipalities and networks. The aim is to promote the adoption of sustainable practices, such as implementing carbon neutrality, promoting sustainable consumption, and considering nature values in urban planning.

Fisu

Fisu (Finnish Sustainable Communities) is a network of pioneering municipalities aiming for carbon neutrality, waste-free living, and globally sustainable consumption by 2050. New members are continuously accepted into the FISU network through an ongoing application process. The network is coordinated by Motiva Oy and Syke.

Fisu

Hinku network

The Hinku network, established in 2008, is an expanding network of pioneering municipalities and regions committed to mitigating climate change, with members dedicated to ambitious emissions reduction targets.

Hinku network

Sustainability leap

A service called Kestävyysloikka.fi has been developed to document good practices implemented in municipalities, aimed at disseminating these practices throughout Finland.

Sustainability leap

Nature municipalities (Luontokunnat)

The Nature Municipalities Network was established in the fall of 2020 to support municipalities in their nature work and to facilitate networking with other municipalities. The Nature Municipalities Network enhances the nature-related efforts of municipalities and promotes the adoption of good practices, for example, in the management of invasive species and the construction of nature trails.

Nature municipalities (Luontokunnat)

Networks

International environmental issues and related collaboration are an important part of Syke's mission. We work with national and international research institutes and universities, and we engage in international consultancy. Thanks to this cooperation, Syke's work has a global impact. Syke also manages and develops the expert, coordination, and reporting tasks required for the implementation of many international agreements.

Multidisciplinary networks

PEER network (Partnership for European Environmental Research)

PEER is a partnership of eight of Europe’s largest environmental centers, aimed at promoting ecological sustainability through collaborative environmental research.

PEER network

Tulanet Network (Research Institute Consortium)

Tulanet strengthens the role of state research institutes in science and research policy and promotes interdisciplinary research.

Tulanet

European Environment Information and Observation Network (Eionet)

Eionet is a partnership network formed by the European Environment Agency (EEA) and its member and cooperating countries.

Eionet

COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology)

COST is one of the longest-standing forums promoting collaboration among European researchers and scientists.

COST

eLTER-Europe (European Long-Term Ecosystem Research Network)

The mission of the eLTER network is to promote significant research and produce new insights into the interactions of climate change, biodiversity loss, soil degradation, pollution, and unsustainable resource use in terrestrial, freshwater, and transitional water ecosystems.

eLTER

The Arctic Council

There are four regional councils operating in the Northern Dimension, with the Arctic Council's role particularly emphasized in relation to environmental challenges and sustainable development.

The Arctic Council

Climate

Climate-ADAPT

Climate-ADAPT collects and shares information on climate change adaptation in Europe.

Climate-ADAPT

ICP M&M (The International Cooperative Programme on Modelling and Mapping of Critical Levels and Loads and Air Pollution Effects, Risks and Trends)

The purpose of the ICP Modelling and Mapping network is to determine the critical load levels and concentrations of pollutants, map the emissions that exceed these values, and develop methods for assessing potential environmental damage.

ICP Modelling and Mapping

Circular economy

Nordic Working Group for Circular Economy (NCE)

The aim of the Nordic Working Group for Circular Economy (NCE) is to promote actions and the exchange of experiences that support the transition to a circular economy in the Nordic countries. Additionally, the group seeks to influence international and EU processes.

Nordic Working Group for Circular Economy (NCE)

American Chemical Society

The American Chemical Society (ACS) aims to advance the field of chemistry and the work of its professionals for the benefit of the world and human well-being. The organization’s vision is to improve people’s quality of life by utilizing the opportunities provided by chemistry. The organization publishes the journal Environmental Science and Technology.

American Chemical Society

Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC)

SETAC is a network focused on the development and research of life cycle assessment methodologies.

SETAC

Nordic Screening of Chemicals - Nordic Mapping Cooperation

The Nordic Council of Ministers’ Chemicals Mapping Cooperation Group coordinates Nordic monitoring research and publishes its own reports on chemicals and their environmental impacts.

Nordic Screening of Chemicals

 

Nature

Global Footprint Network

The Ecological Footprint Calculation Network produces estimates of the ecological footprint and biocapacity of different countries and participates in the development of impact assessment for biological resources.

Global Footprint Network

Alternet (A Long-Term Biodiversity, Ecosystem and Awareness Research Network)

Alternet is a long-standing network for the research of biodiversity, ecosystems, and awareness.

Alternet

ESP (Ecosystem Service Partnership)

ESP is a global network aimed at promoting the research of ecosystem services and the practical applications of research findings.

ESP

LTER Finland (Finnish Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research network) 

Finnish Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research network is a network of research stations or centers focused on ecological and socio-ecological interactions.

LTER Finland (Finnish Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research network) 

International Cooperative Programme on Integrated Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Ecosystems (ICP IM)

The ICP IM Program investigates the effects of long-range transported pollutants (e.g., nitrogen and sulfur compounds, as well as heavy metals and ozone) and other environmental changes (e.g., climate change) on our habitats.

ICP IM

Holistic Management International (HMI)

HMI promotes value-based management of natural resources. The network engages in practical work to enhance human well-being through the development of ecosystem processes.

Holistic Management International (HMI)

METSO Programme

METSO is a voluntary program aimed at private forest owners, through which they can protect and manage the natural values of their forests to ensure the preservation of biodiversity.

METSO Programme

Sea and Water

Water supply and sanitation Technology Platform (WssTP)

WssTP has been coordinating water sector cooperation in the EU since 2004.

WssTP

EU's Baltic Sea Strategy (Ministry for Foreign Affairs)

The EU's Baltic Sea Strategy aims to deepen and coordinate cooperation among the countries in the Baltic Sea region more effectively. Its goals are to save the sea, connect the region, and enhance well-being.

EU:n Itämeristrategia (in Finnish)

Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission HELCOM

The protection of the Baltic Sea is guided and developed by the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission HELCOM, in which all Baltic Sea riparian states are represented.

HELCOM

Baltic Nest Institute (BNI)

The Baltic Nest Institute (BNI) is an international research network that promotes research and modeling of marine areas.

Baltic Nest Institute (BNI)

Finnish Water Forum

The Finnish Water Forum (FWF) is an open network of Finnish water sector actors that strengthens Finland's activities and competitiveness in international water markets.

Finnish Water Forum

National Water Management and Restoration Network

National Water Management and Restoration Network is an open communication forum that shares information and experiences related to the restoration of water bodies.

National Water Management and Restoration Network

ICP Waters (International Cooperative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring Effects of Air Pollution on Rivers and Lakes)

ICP Waters provides information on the effects of acidifying compounds and other long-range transported air pollutants on sensitive lake and river ecosystems.

ICP Waters

Methods, Monitoring, and Standardization

International Input-Output Association

IIOA promotes the use of input-output methods in economic and environmental science contexts, organizes conferences, and publishes the journal Economic Systems Research.

IIOA

International Society on Multiple Criteria Decision Making

The purpose of the MCDM organization is to develop, test, and apply methods for solving multi-criteria decision-making problems and to promote research and interaction in the field.

International Society on Multiple Criteria Decision Making

NORMAN

NORMAN is a network of reference laboratories, research institutions, and organizations involved in the monitoring of emerging substances.

NORMAN

EURAMET

The goal of EURAMET is to develop and disseminate an integrated, cost-effective, and internationally competitive measurement infrastructure for Europe.

EURAMET

International Organization for Standardization ISO

ISO is an international standardization organization that prepares ISO standards in its technical committees.

International Organization for Standardization ISO

SFS Finnish Standards

SFS serves as the national central organization for standardization in Finland.

SFS Finnish Standards

CEN European Committee for Standardization

CEN is a European standardization organization that prepares EN standards in its technical committees.

CEN European Committee for Standardization