NordenBladet — Stronger digital inclusion and the European Digital Identity will be on the agenda when the Nordic and Baltic ministers responsible for digitalisation in public administration meet on Friday 26 November.The meeting of the Nordic Council of Ministers for Digitalisation, organised as part of Finland’s Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers, will be opened and chaired by Minister of Local Government Sirpa Paatero, who is responsible for digitalisation in public administration in Finland.“The Nordic and Baltic countries are important international cooperation partners for Finland when it comes to digitalisation. It is important that we work together to develop cross-border digital services and thereby facilitate mobility in the region,” says Minister of Local Government Sirpa Paatero.The most important item on the meeting agenda is the promotion of digital inclusion, on which the ministers intend to issue a joint declaration. “Our societies are built on democracy, equality, human capital and social responsibility. We must ensure continued compliance with these principles in the digital transformation in our region. Digital inclusion is a key requirement for our successful digital transformation and competitiveness,” Paatero says.Member of the European Parliament Miapetra Kumpula-Natri will give an introductory speech on the topic.Promotion of the digital green transition has been one of the main themes of the year, and the ministers are expected to reach decisions on this matter at their meeting. The ministers are expected to decide on new digital transformation measures aimed at building green data spaces.“We need a comprehensive policy that combines digitalisation and environmental issues. We must be able to make more efficient use of digital solutions to support the green transition,” Paatero says. Progress in the preparation of digital identity The ministers will also discuss the European Digital Identity. Roberto Viola, Director General of DG CONNECT, who is responsible for digital affairs at the European Commission, will provide an introduction on the topic. The European Digital Identity is a tool for EU citizens, residents, and businesses who want to identify themselves or provide confirmation of certain personal information.The development of digital identity in Finland centres on a project led by the Ministry of Finance that seeks to create equitable conditions and opportunities for everyone accessing public services to present officially confirmed identity details in digital form. The project will enable electronic identification of people from Finland in the services of other EU Member States while accommodating ongoing joint European development work.
NordenBladet — The transformation of work and new ways to work offer both challenges and opportunities for the Nordic labour market and workers’ wellbeing. The Nordic employment ministers will discuss these topics at a meeting organised by Finland as part of its Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers on 22–23 November 2021.In addition to the ministers, the meeting will be attended by Guy Ryder, Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Paula Lehtomäki, Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers, and representatives of the social partners. Finland’s representatives will be Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen and Minister of Social Affairs and Health Hanna Sarkkinen.Pandemic causes a rise in unemployment and inequalityThe ILO has monitored the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on working life and the measures taken by its Member States to recover from the crisis. During the crisis, compliance with the ILO Conventions has fallen. As unemployment, poverty and inequality have increased in many countries, the ILO has focused its efforts on mitigating the negative consequences of the pandemic.“We are concerned about the increasing inequality and the obstacles to freedom of association in some countries, for example. The ILO does important work to achieve international labour standards,” says Haatainen.Adequate protection for workers in platform economyMany platform economy companies operate internationally. It is therefore important to Finland that the discussion on platform economy takes place between the Nordic countries, in the EU and internationally. A topical question is whether platform workers are treated as entrepreneurs or employees. In Finland, a tripartite working group will consider the matter from the perspective of labour legislation.“A platform economy based on fair regulation offers opportunities for new forms of business. However, these good opportunities will be wasted if we do not ensure adequate regulation and safety nets for workers at the same time,” Haatainen adds.Mental wellbeing needs support in transformation of workDemographic change will cause a decline in the working-age population. At the same time, mental health problems will cause premature retirement. Mental health promotion requires measures at workplaces and in working life. It is important to ensure that the workforce is fit to work and can cope at work until retirement.
During the transformation of work, it may be increasingly challenging to identify and manage psychosocial risks. In future, the importance of good mental health must be considered an investment. With regard to mental health, it is important to focus not only on mental health services, but also on preventing and reducing the underlying causes of excessive strain and stress.“In the economy of wellbeing, mental health should be seen as capital worth investing in. I also hope for Nordic cooperation to implement the European Mental Health Strategy,” says Minister of Social Affairs and Health Sarkkinen.
NordenBladet — Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari will visit Oslo on 22–23 November. Minister Skinnari will meet ministers of Norway’s new Government and visit a waste treatment plant that makes use of carbon capture technologies. The Minister will also attend a seminar organised by the Finnish and Norwegian Shipowners Associations and the Embassy of Finland in Oslo.A new Government has started its work in Norway, following the parliamentary election held in mid-September. During his visit to Oslo, Minister Skinnari will meet Norway’s Minister of International Development and Nordic Cooperation Anne Beathe Tvinnereim, Minister of Trade and Industry Jan Christian Vestre, Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy Bjørnar Skjæran, and Mayor of Oslo Raymond Johansen.The topics of discussion in these meetings will include the results of the Glasgow Climate Change Conference and the European green transition as well as the opportunities it offers for promoting innovation activities and business cooperation between Norway and Finland.“The Norwegian–Finnish battery production in Vaasa is a good example of cooperation between our two countries. There is plenty of growth potential in the cooperation in the business and innovation sectors,” Minister Skinnari says.The Minister will also travel to Klemetsrud, where he will visit a waste-to-energy plant owned by Fortum and the City of Oslo, which utilises carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. In addition, Minister Skinnari will attend the “Future of Shipping” seminar, organised by the Finnish Shipping Association and the Finnish Embassy in Oslo, where he will meet representatives of the Finnish and Norwegian companies attending the seminar.
NordenBladet — This year, mothers were awarded decorations for their merits as educators at regional ceremonies held on Universal Children’s Day on 20 November 2021.Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the national Mother’s Day celebration was not organised this or last year. Traditionally, the decorations are presented at the national Mother’s Day ceremony.The district organisations of the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare, together with the Regional State Administrative Agencies, organised nine regional ceremonies where the decorations were presented. The ceremonies were held in Rovaniemi, Oulu, Ylihärmä, Kankaanpää, Tampere, Turku, Jyväskylä, Kouvola and Helsinki. The mothers awarded in 2020 and 2021 received their decorations at these ceremonies. Minister of Social Affairs and Health Hanna Sarkkinen congratulated the mothers by video. In 2020, a total of 36 mothers were awarded and, this year, altogether 29. Mothers were awarded for the first time in 1946 so this year marks the 75th time that decorations are presented in Finland. In celebration of the anniversary year, the Orders of the White Rose of Finland and the Lion of Finland have published on their joint website the names of all mothers awarded since 1946.Awarded mothers have distinguished themselves as exemplary educators of children and young peopleA Medal First Class with Gold Cross of the Order of the White Rose of Finland can be awarded to mothers of different ages from various spheres of life and fields of work. The awarded have distinguished themselves as exemplary educators of children and young people. The aim is that the awarded mothers come from a wide variety of backgrounds, such as working and single mothers and mothers from rural communities, and represent different minorities, such as Roma and Saami people and immigrants.The number of children is not a determining factor for the award. The minimum age for nominees is 40. In addition to biological mothers, adoptive and foster mothers may be nominated for the award. Consideration is also given to nominees’ more extensive societal responsibilities and activities as educators, such as participation in the activities of child welfare and family organisations, youth and sports organisations, local education committees or parents’ associations.
At the public video sitting today at 2 p.m., the European Union Affairs Committee and the State Budget Control Select Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) will be given an overview of the 2020 annual report of the European Court of Auditors, which will be presented by Member of the European Court of Auditors Juhan Parts.
The European Court of Auditors monitors the implementation of the budget of the European Union and the lawfulness of the use of the funds.
Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Siim Kallas said that, last year, responding to the COVID-19 pandemic undoubtedly had a significant impact on the Union’s finances. “It is already known today that this impact will continue also in the coming years. Member States have agreed to create a COVID-19 recovery instrument, which will be financed by issuing the EU bonds,” Kallas said. He added that in the coming years, the expenses of the EU would nearly double. “Keeping in mind the increase of expenses and fight against the pandemic, it is of utmost importance to effectively control the use of EU funds and the achievement of intended results,” Kallas underlined.
According to the report of the European Court of Auditors, the revenues of the European Union for the previous year were legal and regular, and not affected by material error. The overall level of error for expenditure from the EU budget of 2020 was 2.7 %, which is the same as the year before.
The proportion of high-risk expenditure in the audit population has further increased and represented 59% of audited spending (last year it was 53%). The rules and eligibility criteria governing this type of expenditure are often complex, which makes errors more likely. The level of error of high-risk expenditure exceeds the materiality threshold and is estimated to be 4.0% (in 2019, it was 4.9 %). This concerns mainly reimbursement-based expenditure. As in the previous year, the auditors have therefore concluded that the level of error in this substantial type of spending is pervasive, and issued an adverse opinion on EU expenditure for 2020.
The European Court of Auditors points out in the report that Member States’ absorption of the European Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds has been slower than planned. By the end of 2020, or the final year of the current seven-year budget, only 55% of the agreed EU funding for the 2014–2020 period had been paid out.
The European Court of Auditors also reviewed the obligations and revenue amounts generated by the United Kingdom’s withdrawal process. On 31 December 2020, the EU accounts showed an amount of 47.5 billion euro due from the United Kingdom based on mutual obligations set out in the withdrawal agreement.
Public sitting starts at 2 p.m. and it will be streamed online.
The video recording of the sitting will be available onthe Riigikogu YouTubechannel. (Please note that the recording will be uploaded with a delay.)
At the remote sitting today, the Riigikogu discussed the matter of significant national importance “European Union’s and Estonia’s climate targets by 2030 – achieving ‘Fit for 55’”, initiated by the European Union Affairs Committee.
Member of Cabinet of the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans Helena Braun, Director of Stockholm Environment Institute Tallinn Centre Lauri Tammiste, Professor of the University of Tartu and Science and Development Director of Milrem Robotics Mart Noorma and Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Siim Kallas delivered reports at the sitting.
Helena Braun, Member of Cabinet of the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans, introduced the climate and energy package adopted by the European Commission in July.
Braun said that the predictions of the World Economic Forum in the recent years had identified the biodiversity crisis and climate change as the greatest and the most likely threats to humanity. She pointed out that their impacts could increasingly be felt. “In recent years, and also this year, we have seen very large floods, storms, heat waves in Europe. They have had thousands of victims, have destroyed forests and crops, and also increased the need for air conditioning and our electricity bills. The warmer the climate gets, the more frequent such extreme weather conditions become, and the more extensive and negative their impact on the life and health of humans will be,” Braun said, explaining the need for the Green Deal.
Braun stated that the cost of inaction would be many times higher than the cost of achieving climate neutrality. “If it is at all possible to attach any adequate price tag to the human lives that will be lost, to the huge migration that arises, regions becoming unfit for habitation and the total destruction of several important sectors of economy,” Braun said. “Ultimately, the transition to green economy is only a means, it is a means of preserving and enhancing the well-being of humans, not an end in itself.”
Braun pointed out as a positive example that Europe has seen this big challenge as a possibility. “Both the European Union and Estonia, our people, our businesses, still have a great opportunity to be the author, the market, but also the exporter and, of course, the primary beneficiary of these clean technology solutions, environmentally friendly products and services, as well as new innovative business models. According to all analyses, it can be used to create a very large number of jobs, and in almost all sectors of economy: in renewable energy, construction, renovation, transport, agriculture and restoration of nature,” Braun emphasised.
Braun also explained what the proposals would involve, and underlined that, by now, both the climate neutrality by 2050 and the interim target to reduce emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030 were both legal obligations in Europe. “All Member States of the European Union, including Estonia, have committed themselves to this unanimously. Now, we have to meet these obligations collectively and of course also in solidarity.”
In his report, Director of Stockholm Environment Institute Tallinn Centre Lauri Tammiste focused on the importance of the “Fit for 55” proposal and its significance from the perspective of the Estonian research. He noted that the package was ambitious, and that if it was asked why it was so urgent, the reply was that much time had been wasted on discussing, analysing and debating. He underlined that the problems of greenhouse gases and climate change had been spoken about for more than 100 years already.
“Johan Rockström, who is the director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, one of the most important, one of the most prominent climate scientists, said very well that this 1.5 degree target is not a negotiating position, is not an object for bargaining – it is a very clear scientific limit beyond which these negative effects start to escalate exponentially,” Tammiste said. He also emphasised that it was cheaper to prevent problems than to deal with their consequences.
Tammiste emphasised that we were a small, extremely integrated global economy. “So from this point of view it would be reasonable to look how we can benefit from this in the most sensible way possible to improve Estonia’s quality of life and solve environmental problems, but also to contribute in solidarity so that Estonia, as a member of the European and global economy, can be less vulnerable to these climate risks,” he said.
“According to the IEA, the so-called clean energy, solar and wind energy, has been the cheapest way of producing energy for several years already, and the predictions are that these markets, the demand for clean solutions is going to grow very, very much, especially as all other regions and countries start to follow suit. Maybe Europe is in the lead by some years, but this should be taken as an advantage and not as something bad,” Tammiste said.
He encouraged to start acting at once and recommended to begin with cost effective reasonable things that increase the quality of life. In his opinion, better planned cities and better organised public transport are things that are useful for several reasons.
Professor of the University of Tartu and Science and Development Director of Milrem Robotics Mart Noorma emphasised in his report that the ground-breaking technological innovation made it possible to find new solutions to problems and brought along fundamental changes in our life and work processes.
Noorma said that transition to unmanned autonomous vehicles and work machines was a field that enabled to support achieving the climate targets and at the same time conduct the processes in an economically more profitable way. “When robots come to help, it is possible to redesign our work processes, so that in principle all parties win: the nature protection enthusiasts and fighters for biological diversity, and the economic profit will certainly not decrease, but may even increase,” Noorma said. He added that tractors were very heavy, but remotely controlled or autonomous machines were much lighter.
In the Professor’s opinion, it is very important from Estonia’s point of view to find out what is the strength of Estonian entrepreneurship, what is the strength of Estonian science and what are the needs of the Estonian public sector. “This is the triple helix that has been talked about so much in the context of innovation. “If we could bring these three strengths together in the same fight against climate change, and we had a sufficient number of parties who could contribute, but also benefit from the other side, then our country will be on the winning side, as well as the Earth and the climate,” Noorma emphasised.
Noorma also said that a new generation, or the first generation of robot work machines for fields and forests was being developed. “We are very interested that the Estonian hydrogen infrastructure would develop to the level where we could do the forest and field work on hydrogen basis. In the future, hydrogen will certainly be one of the potential energy sources in the situations where batteries may not be sufficient,” Noorma said, looking into the future.
The Professor also underlined the importance of cooperation between companies, research institutions and public sector.
Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Siim Kallas said that, in September and October, parliamentary hearings on the green transition were held in the European Union Affairs Committee to learn about the general framework and sectoral problems of the Fit for 55 package before the discussions of the Government’s positions that would start soon. He explained that the Fit for 55 package was a collection of big and complicated initiatives that first existed mainly in the form of drafts and plans, but had to become laws.
Kallas pointed out that the effects of global warming were already a reality – extreme heat, floods, droughts, water scarcity, rising sea levels, melting glaciers, forest fires, windbreakages and agricultural damage – but said that, in terms of trends, these effects will be felt most by our children and grandchildren. “We have to decide now how to act to achieve climate neutrality, while ensuring that our farmers and foresters are not left behind, how to reduce fossil fuel based energy and increase the share of renewable energy production so that our energy supply and security will not be threatened or electricity prices would not rise. How to restructure the economy of East-Virumaa successfully? How to reorganise transport so that there would be less emissions, but the supply chains would not be interrupted? How to optimise consumption without damaging our standards of living?”
He acknowledged that Estonia had done well, but inevitably we had to participate in the global climate policy. “I can’t imagine that we can do anything on our own to prevent the melting of polar ice and fighting the resulting sea-level rise. It has been said that Estonia and the European Union cannot influence the global climate if China, India, the United States and others do not contribute with similar measures. By today, the above-mentioned countries have also come on board, and have taken drastic steps,” Kallas said.
Kallas added that from the economic point of view, three pillars were necessary for implementing the green transition: investments, fair pricing for normal functioning and social policy to adapt to changes and overcome the consequences of possible crises. He also spoke of the need to save natural resources and that the green transition was also a technology transition. “It is in the interests of the European Union and Estonia to be the leaders in green technologies. It is an opportunity for our entrepreneurs to create a market for environmentally sustainable services and innovative business models. The targets established by the Green Deal are thus not only in the interests of the environment. It is also a sustainable economic model that enables new developmental leap,” Kallas concluded.
During the debate, Yoko Alender (Reform Party), Peeter Ernits (Estonian Conservative People’s Party), Heiki Hepner (Isamaa) and Riina Sikkut (Social Democratic Party) took the floor on behalf of their political groups.
At the beginning of the sitting, Minister of the Environment Erki Savisaar took his oath of office.
NordenBladet — In their regular negotiations on 16-17 November 2021, Finland and China agreed that flights from Finland to Shanghai could be increased. The number of weekly routes will be raised from seven to 14.The countries agreed to abandon all route and waypoint restrictions. This means that airlines operating in Finland will have more freedom to choose their destinations in China.Air traffic to China can grow when travel restrictions are eased. In practice, the new routes can be deployed once the restrictions are lifted.
NordenBladet – To start with, HAPPY INTERNATIONAL MEN’S DAY, DEAR MEN!! What would we, women, do without you?! We just wouldn’t do without you! 🙂 As always, I do not know where to begin with the blog and what to leave out of the story, because a lot that can be reflected on is piling up. It would be easier to blog each day separately… But I will try to bring to you the highlights of the week.
MONDAY—we made a cool app for the Estonian and Finnish NordenBladet site—a synopsis of electricity prices: ELECTRICITY PRICE GUIDE.
I promise that for those of us that love to economize, the electricity price guide is a game changer. Estonian electricity prices are lately very high and sometimes they are so high that it makes sense to consume less at those times (i.e. it’s not worth to cook meat in the oven for three hours and to do the laundry another time). A good example is the 15th November comparison for Estonian and Finnish electricity prices. The difference is so big! (see below the comparative table)
Our table is very easy to understand (like the traffic lights, showing good prices with the green light, medium prices (10-20 euro cents per kWh) with the amber light and the red colour shows prices that are 20+ euro cents per kWh. The table displays today’s as well as tomorrow’s electricity prices and info is visible on the web page and also from the cell phone. The more considerate use of electric power is nature-friendly, so that in any case it is reasonable to compare electricity prices and to consume at a suitable time. Read more about the app here: ELECTRICITY PRICE LIVE.
Talking about economizing, I would like to mention the Scandinavian Vogue that is issued six times a year. I like their business concept – the magazine can only be preordered, thus there will be no edition lying on the shelf in the store. I preordered the first two volumes (which have been published thus far). Wonderful work that has been done by Martina Bonnier and her team of editors. With every breath you feel the haute couture and the quality in the magazines as well as on the web. Fingers crossed – I hope my daughters will be able to become sufficiently successful so that one day our tiny Nordic family brand Elisheva & Shoshana will find a spot for ourselves between the covers of the magazine.
TUESDAY—Marketing of the electricity market price guide
The alarm went off early-early so that we could take Ivanka to school, and I was tired-tired, because on Monday we had pushed the electricity prices observation table live and the testing of this was still going on late at night. Even today the written code is still only just a few steps down the road and there’s a plan to create many extras (for example also the price with VAT) and also we plan to prepare a gas price guide. Since there was great interest and lots of feedback (well, it indeed is a necessary tool!), then we also plan to create a new improvement so that bloggers, webpage admins or anyone actually who is interested, could display this electricity price table on their pages. The entire Tuesday was spent marketing the app.
Oh, gosh, something very odd also happened on Tuesday.. Namely, when I was driving Ivanka back home from school, my ex husband texted me while I was on the road, and due to this I became so upset that, you know what: I GOT LOST. I took the wrong turn on the road that I have been using for nine years from day to day, and kept driving in an emotional state of affect until I was 40 km away from home. Then I stopped the car, called Allan, calmed down, switched on „Waze” and got back home. Not possible only in Russia, possible also with Helena-Reet.
⬇⬇⬇ This is what I look like early in the morning 😀
WEDNESDAY—Bernese mountain dog and comedy show „NUTA või NAERA” (sob or smile).
My previous neighbour’s (yes, the same woman that makes the wonderful Napoleon cake) dog had puppies a few months ago ? . They are crazy cute. Already in 2012 I planned to get a dog.. I even posted two blogs about that: We will take a dog VOL1 (this article is available only in Estonian) with the subtitle „Why do we need a dog, which dog, and how to get the husband to agree”and VOL2 (this article is available only in Estonian) with the subtitle „preparations”. Mhmmm.. So far we do not have a dog yet. The main reason for this is actually that the dog will be binding. When there are a lot of business trips it won’t be reasonable to keep a pet. The cat would generally be pretty much OK on its own for a few days. Anyway, she still has two male puppies left and so I simply had to check them out „just in case”. 🙂
There are plenty of cultural events happening. For Wednesday we had planned to visit Keila culture house where Henrik Normann’s jubilee performance named „NUTA või NAERA” took place and where he shared the stage with the brilliant Brigitte Susanne Hunt. Brigitte is almost like the young Anu Saagim… actually I don’t know if it is proper to say so, because Anu Saagim does not appear to be more than 35 years of age and she is probably invincible when it comes to acting boldly. Okay, let us leave this be. The point is that Brigitte is fine, enterprising and very cool and it is even inspiring to see how energetically she goes about the entertainment scene and how confidently she is doing her thing. And Normann indeed is worthy of the praise! Though it sometimes may seem that he cannot leave behind his Maie-character, this probably is mostly just a little whining remark on my side. Comedy is the most difficult among other genres. Well wouldn’t you try it yourself to come up with good jokes and make the audience laugh for several years.. Ain’t easy. The atmosphere of the event was very friendly and the evening was a great one. By the way, to all fans of Normann, I recommend his recently published book „Tee nalja, Normann!” (Make jokes, Normann!).
THURSDAY—A day for the family and for the children.
While I myself am now also observing the daily electric power prices, then in the beginning of the week with the higher prices I did not wish to do the laundry. However, yesterday we already had a huge pile of laundry, and with yesterday’s more suitable prices I started doing all the laundry. I refilled the washing machine several times, cleaned, praised my man, stroked my cat, and dealt with the children. For several years already Ivanka and I have been attending an individual clay class with a private teacher, and it is a pure pleasure to watch her become more skilled in the craft. In our family we highly value handicraft. Currently, for many hours we have been making ceramic presents for our friends. These same beautiful clay containers as yet work in progress are viewable HERE. They are cool, aren’t they? I myself am such a fan of those snowman-knob containers designed by Ivanka.
FRIDAY—International Men’s Day
In our house celebrations on all kinds of holidays are held in high regards, because we truly enjoy dining and on a good occasion we also enjoy the drinks 😀 hahaaaa. Today the children didn’t go to school, Estella Elisheva has had distance learning lessons for two weeks and we also let Ivanka stay home today. We had a nice long sleep, prepared a nice breakfast (buckwheat porridge, egg, olives, fresh cucumber, herbs and sour cream) and then I went to the dentist. For the second time already I went to the Unimed Clinic, to Jelena Jegorova, and I must admit that she is the first ever dentist in my life that does not miss out on the anesthesia part.. It is a rather different emotion to be seeing the dentist when you need not feel the pain from drilling the teeth. After that I came back home, with half of my face completely numb, and began laying the Men’s Day table. I cooked a crispy chicken fillet, pasta, and as a side dish offered canned peas, cottage cheese and tomato-sour cream salad. For dessert I made a juicy curd-whipped cream cake with abundant almond and banana coating.
And to conclude today’s blog, once more: LONG LIVE MEN! It is great that you exist, I would happily celebrate your day every day 🙂
Hugs-kisses! Until next time!
And for a suitable mood a nice song for all men: Yaki-Da – I Saw You Dancing
NordenBladet — Jukka Vornanen will take up his duties as Special Adviser to Minister of the Interior Krista Mikkonen on Friday 19 November. Vornanen will be responsible for matters related to internal security, i.e. the police, border security, emergency response centre operations and rescue services.Vornanen holds a Master of Arts degree. He has worked as Special Adviser to Minister Mikkonen at the Ministry of the Environment since September 2021. In 2013–2021, Vornanen was a member of the Turku City Council and a member of the City Board. From 2017 to 2021, Vornanen served as Vice Chair of the Turku City Board and Chair of the section responsible for ownership steering of the City.In addition to Jukka Vornanen, Tiina Kivinen, who is responsible for matters related to EU affairs, migration, asylum policy and intelligence, and Heikki Sairanen, who is responsible for economic policy matters, will continue as Special Advisers to the Minister of the Interior. Special Advisers Jarno Lappalainen and Milja Henttonen will transfer to the advisory staff of Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Emma Kari.
NordenBladet — Milja Henttonen, Jarno Lappalainen and Erkki Perälä have been appointed as Special Advisers to the new Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Emma Kari. Antti Heikkinen and Riikka Yliluoma will continue as Special Advisers to the Minister.Jarno Lappalainen, Bachelor of Science in Technology, will move to the post of Special Adviser to Minister Emma Kari from the Ministry of the Interior, where he served as Special Adviser to Minister Maria Ohisalo. Lappalainen is also the secretary of the ministerial group of the Greens.Before the appointment to the Ministry of the Environment, Milja Henttonen, Master of Science in Economics and Business Administration, also served as Special Adviser to Minister of the Interior Ohisalo. Henttonen will be in charge of the communications and media relations of the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change and of coordinating the communications of the ministerial group of the Greens.Erkki Perälä, Master of Social Sciences, comes from Demos Helsinki think tank, where he worked as Senior Consultant and leader of the Urban Transformations team. He has also served as member of the Helsinki City Council, Special Adviser to the Minister of the Environment and Business Director. As Special Adviser to Emma Kari, Perälä will focus especially on matters related to construction, housing and land use.Antti Heikkinen and Riikka Yliluoma, who served as Special Advisers to Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Krista Mikkonen, will continue as Special Advisers to Minister Emma Kari. Antti Heikkinen will be responsible especially for nature conservation and the management of waters and the marine environment, and Riikka Yliluoma for matters related to climate policy, environmental protection and waste management.Terhi Lehtonen will continue as the State Secretary to the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change. Special Adviser Jukka Vornanen, who was responsible for matters related to construction and housing at the Ministry of the Environment, will move to the advisory staff of Minister of the Interior Krista Mikkonen.
