Smart investments help to solve coronavirus, climate crises

Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Krista Mikkonen said smart investments not only help in solving the COVID-19 crisis but also the climate crisis and loss of biodiversity.

“Each euro can be used just once. With smart investments we can solve the COVID-19 crisis, while, at the same time, find solutions to biodiversity and climate crises and boost a genuine transition to a sustainable economy. The same formula will also help us prevent future pandemics,” said Mikkonen on the eve of the ‘Nature and sustainable recovery’ – the themes of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA), said an official press release.

The UN Environment Assembly UNEA-5 brings together the UN member states and representatives of the business sector and civil society organisations to a session to be held virtually on 22-23 February.

The themes of the meeting are the role of nature in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals and green rebuilding, and sustainable recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Finnish delegation is led by Mikkonen, who will also participate in a high-level discussion on strengthening the role of the environmental sector in post-COVID-19 recovery.

“We must look far enough into the horizon. For example, the investment cycles of industry are very long: we are now building a world of zero-emissions based on a circular economy in 2050. Jobs should not be created at the cost of nature and climate – and ultimately the people,” said Mikkonen.

“UNEA has an important role in mainstreaming environmental issues in the UN system. This is why Finland wants to strengthen the environmental agenda of the UN and is one of the major funders of the organisation,” added the minister.

The virtual session is to adopt the UNEP Medium Term Strategy 2022-2025 and work programme 2022-2023. Other negotiations on the resolution will take place in a resumed session of UNEA-5 to be held as an in-person event in Nairobi early next year. The UN Environment Programme will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year, and the festivities will be started at the virtual meeting.

In connection with UNEA-5, a number of other events will be organised, including the Global Civil Society Forum, the Global Youth Environment Assembly, and the UN Science-Policy Business Forum on the Environment.