Finnish Environment Institute commits to actively support knowledge-based sustainable management of the environment and water resources

Finnish Environment Institute Syke (

Government

)

#SDGAction51090

Description

The Finnish Environment Institute (Syke) is a research and development organisation operating in the environmental sector. Its duty is to produce information to promote sustainable development globally, and to monitor and assess the fulfilment of sustainability. Syke is engaged in and supports the assessment of sustainable development goals and the implementation of environmental policy. Syke also carries out tasks related to the use and management of water resources and participates extensively in international environmental research and capacity building.

Syke's strategy features dedicated objectives and measures that will contribute to the achievement of specific Sustainable Development Goals. Syke is committed to develop new approaches for reaching a good state of the seas and inland waters and for achieving sustainable use of water resources.

This includes
1. Developing hydrological, water quality, and marine modelling and monitoring systems, to improve the state of the inland and marine waters of the Baltic Sea, as well as continuing to collect and host long, open data series of observations on the chemical and biological status water, biota, and sediments.
2. Research and advocacy on the links between society and the environment.
3. Support for the implementation of Finland's International Water Strategy and Action Plan for Maritime Policy. Syke actively participates in impactful international research projects and the strengthening and use of water diplomacy to address societal challenges.

Achieving the sustainability transformation and the SDGs require timely and reliable information on the state and change of the environment. To support information based policymaking Syke produces information and generates impactful research with modern technologies and participatory methodologies in partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders. Websites such as Waterinfo.fi and the ClimateGuide.fi provide up-to-date information on water and climate change for both experts and citizens alike.

Syke commits to share its solutions and expertise in sustainable water management globally. Syke helps building the capacities of environmental and water authorities in developing countries and elsewhere. Syke has implemented and runs several long-term development projects, for example in Central Asia and increasingly in Africa.

Syke also supports the implementation of global agreements and intergovernmental organisations such as the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (UNECE Water Convention or 1992 Helsinki Convention), Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (Helsinki Commission, HELCOM) and other actions such as national and global water stewardship.

Expected Impact

The mission of the Finnish Environment Institute Syke is to contribute to building a sustainable society through research, knowledge, and services. By 2030, the aim is to achieve the sustainability transformation in line with the Agenda2030. In addition to global responsibility, Syke’s core values are the intrinsic value of nature, ethics, community, fairness, and equality.

Syke is committed to develop science-based knowledge and solutions for
1. Taking urgent actions to combat climate change, inform adaptation needs, and solutions to mitigate its’ impacts (goal number 13)
2. Protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, freshwater ecosystems, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss (15)
3. Protecting and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development (14)
4. Ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns (12)
5. Ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all (6)

Consideration of interlinkages between the SDGs and promotion of integrated water resources management, water-energy-food-biodiversity nexus, and transboundary cooperation are at the core of Syke's work.

Additional information

Syke Policy Briefs: https://www.syke.fi/en-US/Publications/Syke_Policy_Briefs
Finnish Environment Institute’s Research and Expertise in Water (2023): https://issuu.com/suomenymparistokeskus/docs/research_and_expertise_in_…
Sustainability report of the Finnish Environment Institute (2021): https://www.syke.fi/en-US/Syke_Info/Responsibility_and_sustainable_deve…
Waterinfo.fi - up-to-date overviews of the water situation and a comprehensive map service on water issues: https://www.waterinfo.fi/ (available on 22.3.)
Climate Guide: https://www.climateguide.fi
Information on the Baltic Sea: https://www.marinefinland.fi/en-US
International projects: https://www.syke.fi/en-US/Research__development/Research_and_developmen…

SDGS & Targets

Goal 6

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

6.1

By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all

6.1.1

Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services

6.2

By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations

6.2.1

Proportion of population using (a) safely managed sanitation services and (b) a hand-washing facility with soap and water

6.3

By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally

6.3.1

Proportion of domestic and industrial wastewater flows safely treated

6.3.2

Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality

6.4

By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity

6.4.1

Change in water-use efficiency over time

6.4.2

Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources

6.5

By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate

6.5.1

Degree of integrated water resources management

6.5.2

Proportion of transboundary basin area with an operational arrangement for water cooperation

6.6

By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes

6.6.1

Change in the extent of water-related ecosystems over time

6.a

By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water- and sanitation-related activities and programmes, including water harvesting, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies

6.a.1

Amount of water- and sanitation-related official development assistance that is part of a government-coordinated spending plan

6.b

Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management

6.b.1

Proportion of local administrative units with established and operational policies and procedures for participation of local communities in water and sanitation management

Goal 12

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

12.1

Implement the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns, all countries taking action, with developed countries taking the lead, taking into account the development and capabilities of developing countries

12.1.1

Number of countries developing, adopting or implementing policy instruments aimed at supporting the shift to sustainable consumption and production

12.2

By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources

12.2.1

Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP

12.2.2

Domestic material consumption, domestic material consumption per capita, and domestic material consumption per GDP

12.3

By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses

12.3.1

(a) Food loss index and (b) food waste index

12.4

By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment

12.4.1

Number of parties to international multilateral environmental agreements on hazardous waste, and other chemicals that meet their commitments and obligations in transmitting information as required by each relevant agreement

12.4.2

(a) Hazardous waste generated per capita; and (b) proportion of hazardous waste treated, by type of treatment

12.5

By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse

12.5.1

National recycling rate, tons of material recycled

12.6

Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle

12.6.1

Number of companies publishing sustainability reports

12.7

Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities

12.7.1

Number of countries implementing sustainable public procurement policies and action plans

12.8

By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature

12.8.1

Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment

12.a

Support developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological capacity to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production

12.a.1

Installed renewable energy-generating capacity in developing and developed countries (in watts per capita)

12.b

Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products

12.b.1

Implementation of standard accounting tools to monitor the economic and environmental aspects of tourism sustainability

12.c

Rationalize inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption by removing market distortions, in accordance with national circumstances, including by restructuring taxation and phasing out those harmful subsidies, where they exist, to reflect their environmental impacts, taking fully into account the specific needs and conditions of developing countries and minimizing the possible adverse impacts on their development in a manner that protects the poor and the affected communities

12.c.1

Amount of fossil-fuel subsidies (production and consumption) per unit of GDP

Goal 13

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

13.1

Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries

13.1.1

Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population

13.1.2

Number of countries that adopt and implement national disaster risk reduction strategies in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030

13.1.3

Proportion of local governments that adopt and implement local disaster risk reduction strategies in line with national disaster risk reduction strategies

13.2

Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning

13.2.1

Number of countries with nationally determined contributions, long-term strategies, national adaptation plans and adaptation communications, as reported to the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

13.2.2

Total greenhouse gas emissions per year

13.3

Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

13.3.1

13.a

Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100 billion annually by 2020 from all sources to address the needs of developing countries in the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation and fully operationalize the Green Climate Fund through its capitalization as soon as possible

13.a.1

Amounts provided and mobilized in United States dollars per year in relation to the continued existing collective mobilization goal of the $100 billion commitment through to 2025

13.b

Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing States, including focusing on women, youth and local and marginalized communities

13.b.1

Number of least developed countries and small island developing States with nationally determined contributions, long-term strategies, national adaptation plans and adaptation communications, as reported to the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

Goal 14

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

14.1

By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution

14.1.1

(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density

14.2

By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans

14.2.1

Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas

14.3

Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels

14.3.1

Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations

14.4

By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics

14.4.1

Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels

14.5

By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information

14.5.1

Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas

14.6

By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation

14.6.1

Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing

14.7

By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism

14.7.1

Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries

14.a

Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries

14.a.1

Proportion of total research budget allocated to research in the field of marine technology

14.b

Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets

14.b.1

Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries

14.c

Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"

14.c.1

Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources

Goal 15

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

15.1

By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements

15.1.1

Forest area as a proportion of total land area

15.1.2

Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, by ecosystem type

15.2

By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally

15.2.1

Progress towards sustainable forest management

15.3

By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world

15.3.1

Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area

15.4

By 2030, ensure the conservation of mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity, in order to enhance their capacity to provide benefits that are essential for sustainable development

15.4.1

Coverage by protected areas of important sites for mountain biodiversity

15.4.2

Mountain Green Cover Index

15.5

Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species

15.5.1

Red List Index

15.6

Promote fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and promote appropriate access to such resources, as internationally agreed

15.6.1

Number of countries that have adopted legislative, administrative and policy frameworks to ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits

15.7

Take urgent action to end poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna and address both demand and supply of illegal wildlife products

15.7.1

Proportion of traded wildlife that was poached or illicitly trafficked

15.8

By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species

15.8.1

Proportion of countries adopting relevant national legislation and adequately resourcing the prevention or control of invasive alien species

15.9

By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts

15.9.1

(a) Number of countries that have established national targets in accordance with or similar to Aichi Biodiversity Target 2 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 in their national biodiversity strategy and action plans and the progress reported towards these targets; and (b) integration of biodiversity into national accounting and reporting systems, defined as implementation of the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

15.a

Mobilize and significantly increase financial resources from all sources to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems

15.a.1

(a) Official development assistance on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity; and (b) revenue generated and finance mobilized from biodiversity-relevant economic instruments

15.b

Mobilize significant resources from all sources and at all levels to finance sustainable forest management and provide adequate incentives to developing countries to advance such management, including for conservation and reforestation

15.b.1

(a) Official development assistance on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity; and (b) revenue generated and finance mobilized from biodiversity-relevant economic instruments

15.c

Enhance global support for efforts to combat poaching and trafficking of protected species, including by increasing the capacity of local communities to pursue sustainable livelihood opportunities

15.c.1

Proportion of traded wildlife that was poached or illicitly trafficked

Name	Description
14.1	By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution

False

Feedback

Action Network

Timeline

01 January 2023 (start date)

31 December 2030 (date of completion)

Entity

Finnish Environment Institute Syke

SDGs

6 12 13 14 15

Region

Africa
Europe
Asia and Pacific

Other beneficiaries

The Finnish Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in Finland, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, national environmental agencies and authorities in beneficiary and collaboration countries, academic institutions and research performing organisations, municipalities and citizens, as well as UN organisations such as UNECE Water Convention.

More information

https://www.syke.fi/en

Countries

Finland

Contact Information

Anna-Stiina, Director

anna-stiina.heiskanen@syke.fi

Finnish Environment Institute commits to actively support knowledge-based sustainable management of the environment and water resources

Finnish Environment Institute Syke ( Government )

#SDGAction51090

Goal 6

6.1

6.1.1

6.2

6.2.1

6.3

6.3.1

6.3.2

6.4

6.4.1

6.4.2

6.5

6.5.1

6.5.2

6.6

6.6.1

6.a

6.a.1

6.b

6.b.1

Goal 12

12.1

12.1.1

12.2

12.2.1

12.2.2

12.3

12.3.1

12.4

12.4.1

12.4.2

12.5

12.5.1

12.6

12.6.1

12.7

12.7.1

12.8

12.8.1

12.a

12.a.1

12.b

12.b.1

12.c

12.c.1

Goal 13

13.1

13.1.1

13.1.2

13.1.3

13.2

13.2.1

13.2.2

13.3

13.3.1

13.a

13.a.1

13.b

13.b.1

Goal 14

14.1

14.1.1

14.2

14.2.1

14.3

14.3.1

14.4

14.4.1

14.5

14.5.1

14.6

14.6.1

14.7

14.7.1

14.a

14.a.1

14.b

Finnish Environment Institute Syke (

Government

)