The Climate Change Leadership Coalition (CLC), which develops business-led solutions for climate change, entered the new year by welcoming seven new organisational members: Alexander Incentives Oy, The Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners (MTK), the City of Lahti, Elisa, the Finnish Commerce Federation, Huhtamaki and the Service Sector Employers Palta, and two new personal members: Esko Aho, the former prime minister of Finland, and economist Cary Krosinsky.

“As experts in the incentive schemes, we are interested in promoting and developing solutions to mitigate the climate change and material efficiency related incentive metrics for boards and remuneration committees to implement. CLC membership will give us a good insight and understanding of what businesses are doing to mitigate climate change,” says Kristina Wichmann, CEO, Alexander Incentives Oy.

“The Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners (MTK) was the first agricultural central union to publish a climate programme and support for 1.5C targets. We develop solutions for carbon sequestration and the bio and circular economy, and financial models and policies to incentivise farmers, forestry owners and the businesses refining our products to take climate actions. I believe that the CLC network will give us insights into best practices and thus enable our network – more than 300,000 members – to implement new ways of working in practice,” says Juha Marttila, President, The Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners (MTK).

“Lahti is internationally acknowledged for its significant climate action and the leading environmental city in Finland. Lahti aims for climate neutrality by 2025 and the European Commission has selected Lahti as the European Green Capital for 2021. We wish to share our ambitions and widen our networks to create more opportunities for sustainable future development. CLC enables us to collaborate deeper with progressive businesses,” says Pekka Timonen, mayor of Lahti.

“Climate has been part of our strategy since 2009 and we are one of the first companies in Finland to apply the Science Based Targets initiative. By 2025, we will reduce our emissions (Scopes 1 and 2) by 50% compared to 2016. ICT is an important enabler and we aim to identify and develop new solutions also with the CLC network to increase the value of the ICT sector in climate mitigation even further,” says Veli-Matti Mattila, CEO, Elisa Corporation.

“The Finnish Commerce Federation is strongly taking part in the fight against climate change. Responsible energy consumption is one of the most important ways in which commerce can fight against climate change and we need to turn the circular economy into an international competitive advantage. We have started to plan our roadmap towards climate neutrality and this is where CLC with its network could bring great value for us. We also believe that our deep knowledge of commerce could create value for CLC,” says Mari Kiviniemi, CEO, the Finnish Commerce Federation.

“Huhtamaki is a global specialist in food and drink packaging. With our 80 manufacturing units across 35 countries, we are well placed to support our customers in climate-friendly packaging solutions. Our sustainability programme, Packaging for Good, is addressing our ambitions in long-term sustainability. We are delighted to join CLC and getting and providing insights into business-driven climate mitigation,” says Charles Héaulmé, President and CEO, Huhtamaki.

“Service Sector Employers Palta has over 2,000 members. We are committed to the 1.5C target and we support the climate neutrality targets of the European Union and Finland. We believe that improved services and logistics will be an important driver for climate neutrality and the circular economy, and we are eager to collaborate on these with the CLC network,” says Tuomas Aarto, Director General at Service Sector Employers Palta.

“CLC with its network has illustrated that the mitigation of climate change can be a profitable business – as it should. I am honoured to join and will support CLC in its mission”, says Esko Aho, former prime minister of Finland and a board member and an advisor for several companies.

“Sustainable investing is starting to go from the sidelines to the mainstream, now arguably necessary to consider within all business and investment strategies. Within every asset class we will need to understand whether there are positive or negative impacts regarding climate change, biodiversity and other issues as are relevant to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. I am excited to see the high level of motivation within the CLC network in this area and am excited to help with my experience and global network,” says Cary Krosinsky, a leading author, educator and senior advisor on Sustainable Finance based at Yale and Brown University

“I wish all new members warmly welcome to CLC and I am delighted to see the increased interest in work within and with CLC. In addition to the growth of our network, we have joined forces with several Nordic and European networks and have already had valuable results, for example, in illustrating the commitment of European businesses to EU decision-makers. With our members and partners, we will be stronger in developing climate solutions and extremely motivated to support the European Green Deal,” says Henrik Ehrnrooth, Chairman of the CLC Board.

CLC has had international collaboration in doing joint reports, events, statements, letters or campaigns for example with CAN Europe, CLG Europe, CONCITO, Copa-Cogeca, econsense, epe-enterprises pour l’environment, the Haga Initiative, ICC Germany, Metals Pro Climate, and Zvei – Die Elektroindustrie. In addition, we have joined the EIT Climate KIC network and had information exchange with the California Air Resources Board.  

CLC is the largest climate-business NGO in the EU measured by number of member organisations. Its members include 63 major companies and organisations, whose stock market value is more than half of that of the Helsinki Stock Exchange. The Coalition’s members believe that a profound transition by society towards sustainable consumption habits and economy is not only possible but also economically viable and financeable.

For further information, please contact:

Jouni Keronen, Chief Executive Officer, Climate Leadership Coalition, jouni.keronen(at)clc.fi, tel.: +358 50 453 4881