Finland to strengthen environmental and circular economy cooperation with China

Finland to strengthen environmental and circular economy cooperation with China

On 29 October, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Kai Mykkänen signed two Memorandums of Understanding promoting Finland-China cooperation on the environment and the circular economy.

Minister Mykkänen is visiting China on 28-30 October as part of the delegation accompanying President of the Republic Alexander Stubb on his state visit. The Memorandums of Understanding on environmental and circular economy cooperation were signed in the presence of President Stubb and President of China Xi Jinping.

"We want to advance our cooperation with China on the circular economy and in the energy sector while strengthening measures related to the climate and nature. One of the Government's objectives is to phase out pollution-generating solutions around the world through exports of Finnish technologies. This is what we mean by increasing our climate handprint. Cooperation in these areas will open doors for Finnish companies," Mykkänen says.

The updated Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Cooperation covers key areas of the environmental sector, including purification and prevention of air and water pollution, mitigation of plastic litter in seas, environmental monitoring and remediation of contaminated soil. The Ministry of the Environment has engaged in environmental cooperation with China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment for a long time. One of the key objectives of the cooperation is to promote a good business environment for Finnish cleantech companies in China.

Minister Mykkänen was also authorised by Minister of Economic Affairs Wille Rydman to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on circular economy cooperation between the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and China's National Development and Reform Commission, which aims to promote cooperation between the two countries in four key areas: sustainable packaging solutions, metals and mining, sustainable construction, and recycling and reuse of water.

"Finland's goal is to build a deeper understanding and improve access to information on developments with regard to the Chinese regulatory environment and the priorities of the circular economy. At the same time, we hope to provide platforms for networking between Finnish and Chinese companies and other actors in areas where Finland has special expertise and a particular interest in operating in China," says Minister of Economic Affairs Rydman.

During the visit, Minister Mykkänen will meet with Deputy Minister of Ecology and the Environment of China Zhao Yingmin, Deputy Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Jiang Wanrong, Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission Zhao Chenxin and Deputy Director of the National Energy Administration Ren Jingdong.

Mykkänen will also meet with representatives of Finnish companies who will attend some of the meetings with the authorities and will deliver a speech on climate issues at China's prestigious Tsinghua University. Tsinghua University conducts research on air quality in cooperation with Professor Markku Kulmala from the University of Helsinki and his research group.

Inquiries:

Leevi Hietanen
Parliamentary Assistant to Minister Mykkänen
tel. +358 50 414 6362

Riikka Astala
Senior Specialist
tel. +358 295 047 057
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment

Annika Lindblom
Head of Unit for International and EU Affairs
tel. +358 295 250 163
Ministry of the Environment