Key milestones in Finland’s circular economy development
2014 Sitra launches systematic work on the circular economy
Sitra makes the circular economy one of its focus areas and publishes the first broad assessments of the economic potential of the circular economy for Finland. According to the studies, the circular economy could create €1.5–2.5 billion in annual added value for the Finnish economy by 2030.
Significance: In Finland, the circular economy begins to move from the themes of waste management and material efficiency into discussions on the economy and competitiveness.
The opportunities of a circular economy for Finland – Sitra
2015 The circular economy is included in the Government Programme
Prime Minister Juha Sipilä’s Government sets the goal of making Finland a global leader in the circular economy. The objective provides political backing for the work launched by Sitra.
Significance: For the first time, the circular economy rises onto the agenda of national economic policy and competitiveness.
Finland, a land of solutions – Valtiovarainministeriö
2016 The world’s first national circular economy road map
Sitra publishes Leading the cycle – Finnish road map to a circular economy 2016–2025. Finland is the first country in the world to prepare a national circular economy road map. The road map is created through broad co-operation between ministries, companies, cities and organisations.
Significance: Finland profiles itself internationally as a frontrunner. The circular economy gains a shared vision and a concrete action plan, and the model also begins to attract interest from other countries.
Finnish road map to a circular economy 2016-2025 – Sitra
Road map helps Finland’s transition to a circular economy – Sitra
2017 The first World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF)
Sitra and Finland launch the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF), which quickly grows into a major annual international event in the field.
Significance: Finland moves from being a national trailblazer to becoming a global convener and influencer.
World Circular Economy Forum 2017 – Sitra
Faith in a solution – the story behind the World Circular Economy Forum – Sitra
2018–2019 The road map’s second phase: The critical move
Sitra updates the road map with a new version, The critical move, published in 2019. The update places stronger emphasis on systemic change and the role of different groups of actors. Hundreds of experts take part in the update process.
Significance: The role of cities, central government and citizens in the transition to a circular economy is strengthened.
The critical move – Finland’s road map to a circular economy 2.0 – Sitra
2019–2020 The circular economy becomes part of education and business development
Sitra begins to systematically introduce circular economy expertise across different levels of education and to produce tools for companies to develop new business models.
Significance: The circular economy moves from strategy into practical skills development and business development.
Circular economy teaching for all levels of education – Sitra
Sustainable growth with circular economy business models – Sitra
Most interesting companies in the circular economy in Finland 2.1 – Sitra
2021 Finland’s strategic circular economy programme
The Finnish Government adopts a resolution on the strategic circular economy programme, whose vision is to make a carbon-neutral circular economy society the foundation of Finland’s economy by 2035. The programme’s objectives include curbing the consumption of natural resources, doubling resource productivity and doubling the circular material use rate by 2035.
Significance: The circular economy officially becomes part of Finland’s long-term economic and environmental policy.
Strategic programme to promote a circular economy – Ministry of the Environment
2022 Finland demonstrates the link between the circular economy and biodiversity loss
Sitra publishes analyses that attract international attention on how the circular economy can help halt biodiversity loss. The focus expands from the climate debate to safeguarding the carrying capacity of nature.
Significance: The circular economy also becomes a key tool for solving the biodiversity crisis.
Circular solutions can halt biodiversity loss – The food and agriculture sector can make the largest contribution – Sitra
2023 The circular economy is included in Finland’s new Government Programme
The circular economy is given its own section in the Government Programme. The issues highlighted include critical raw materials, the use of recycled raw materials, security of supply and nutrient cycles.
Significance: The circular economy becomes more closely connected to security, self-sufficiency and competitiveness policy.
Government Programme – Finnish Government
2024 The Circular Economy Green Deal is launched
The Circular Economy Green Deal begins to serve as a tool for implementing the national programme. Companies, cities, municipalities and regions make voluntary commitments to reduce the use of natural resources and achieve circular economy goals.
Significance: The focus shifts from targets to measurable implementation.
Circular Economy Green Deal – Ministry of the Environment
2025 The EU selects Sitra to lead the new Circular Economy Resource Centre
The European Commission establishes the EU Circular Economy Resource Centre (EU CERC) and selects Sitra to lead its activities. The centre particularly supports the circular economy transition in the Global South and brings together EU expertise for global use. At the same time, WCEF has grown into a major global circular economy forum that brings together thousands of participants.
Significance: Finland’s role evolves from that of a national frontrunner into a global circular economy influencer.
Further information: Circular Economy Finland – a hub for circular economy know-how in Finland