Mykkänen on mitigating the effects of climate change

The sixth edition of the United Nations Environment Assembly, UNEA-6, has convened key stakeholders from across the globe to address critical issues surrounding climate change mitigation and environmental conservation. Among the notable voices present was Finland's Minister of Climate and the Environment, Kai Mykkänen, who shared valuable insights on strategies for combating climate change and promoting environmental sustainability. In a recent interview with CNBC Africa's Flora Limukii, Mykkänen discussed Finland's proactive approach and highlighted key areas where Africa can learn and collaborate. One of the primary focuses for Finland is advancing the circular economy and combating global plastic waste. Mykkänen expressed Finland's commitment to reducing the production of fossil-based plastics and promoting plastic recycling to integrate plastics into the circular economy efficiently. By advocating for a global agreement on plastic management, Finland aims to stimulate sustainable practices that will drive economic growth while reducing environmental impact. Finland's success in climate change mitigation and environmental conservation lies in its adherence to measurable targets and sector-specific actions. Mykkänen emphasized the importance of establishing clear goals and integrating them into all government initiatives. By implementing national climate laws that set targets for reducing fossil emissions and enhancing biological sinks like forests, Finland ensures that climate neutrality remains a core focus across various policy domains. In terms of leveraging carbon credits, Finland is focused on accelerating the transition to a fossil-free energy system domestically while exploring opportunities for international carbon market development. Mykkänen underscored the need for reliable carbon credit mechanisms that incentivize sustainable investments in carbon reduction projects, particularly in African economies. By fostering a robust carbon credit market and exploring ecological crediting for biodiversity conservation, Finland aims to facilitate global collaboration and financing for climate action. During discussions at COP28 and UNEA-6, Mykkänen highlighted the importance of partnerships between Finland and African countries to drive collective action on climate change. Encouraged by the positive outcomes of recent global climate negotiations, Mykkänen emphasized the pivotal role that African nations played in advancing climate commitments and fostering global cooperation. As Finland looks towards future high-level events on climate and biodiversity, Mykkänen expressed optimism about strengthening partnerships with African counterparts to address shared environmental challenges. In closing, Mykkänen affirmed the need for substantial climate financing to support sustainable initiatives in Africa. While global climate financing commitments are vital, Mykkänen also stressed the importance of establishing global pricing mechanisms for emissions and ecosystem values to encourage private sector investment in environmental conservation. By promoting responsible financing and fostering international cooperation, Finland aims to catalyze transformative change and uphold its environmental commitments on a global scale.