Finland Showcases Circular Economy and Nature Funding Leadership at European Business & Nature Summit in Helsinki

Summit Convenes Leaders in Helsinki

The European Business & Nature Summit (EBNS) took place in Helsinki, Finland, on October 23-24, 2025, bringing together prominent figures from business, finance, and policy sectors. Co-organized by the European Commission, the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, and the European Business & Biodiversity Platform, the event focused on integrating nature and biodiversity into corporate strategies and operations to foster a nature-positive future. The summit aimed to explore how nature can enhance business competitiveness and resilience.

Minister Multala Emphasizes Finland's Role

Sari Multala, Finland's Minister of Climate and the Environment, delivered a key address, underscoring Finland's leadership in developing circular economy solutions and facilitating corporate engagement in nature conservation. Minister Multala stressed that 'Taking care of biodiversity is a key condition for Europe's competitiveness, resilience and stability in the long term.' She added that companies play a crucial role in accelerating societal change and strengthening sustainable business practices.

During the summit, Minister Multala engaged in discussions with significant European officials, including EU Commissioner for the Environment Jessika Roswall and Eric Mamer, Director-General of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Environment.

Pioneering Circular Economy Solutions

Finland has established itself as a global pioneer in the circular economy, being the first nation to develop a national roadmap in 2016, spearheaded by the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra. This initiative has integrated circularity into national policy, industrial strategy, education, and innovation. The country's commitment is reflected in its Circular Economy Index of 25%, significantly higher than other Nordic nations like Denmark at 14%.

Finnish companies are recognized for their excellence in incorporating repair services and utilizing procurement criteria to promote circularity. Notable examples include Fiskars, aiming for over 50% of its revenue from circular products by 2030, and Outokumpu, which produces stainless steel from 95% recycled materials. The circular economy approach in Finland also focuses on bioeconomy solutions, such as plant-based materials, biochemicals, and food systems, which directly address the root causes of biodiversity loss.

Advancing Nature Funding and Ecological Compensation

Minister Multala highlighted Finland's proactive stance in developing innovative nature funding mechanisms for businesses. Finland is a world leader in the application of voluntary ecological compensation under the Nature Conservation Act and the development of ecosystem services markets. These mechanisms enable companies to offset harmful environmental impacts and recognize the financial value of ecosystem services.

Examples of such initiatives include the Metsä Group's funding program, launched in 2021, which has allocated approximately EUR 1.8 million to 67 biodiversity projects outside commercial forests. Additionally, the Finnish Foundation for Nature Conservation provides grants for scientific research, educational projects, and environmental non-governmental organizations. Finland also benefits from the EU's LIFE funding instrument, which has supported over 150 environmental and nature conservation projects in the country since 1995, with a total investment of around EUR 400 million.