| Logomo, Turku // 20 April 2023 |
What should leaders and decision-makers know and do about biodiversity?
BIODIFUL is a research project exploring biodiversity respectful leadership. In our first Leadership Forum you will learn about the latest research insights from the interfaces of biodiversity, business and public decision-making, be inspired by our keynote speakers creating a greener future, and have the possibility of networking with researchers, decision-makers and other earth shakers. Welcome!
The event is free of charge, but requires a registration by 13.4.
Program
12 pm The Fragile Web of Life
Professor Ilari Sääksjärvi, leader of BIODIFUL, UTU Biodiversity unit
Biodiversity, the variety of life, is a crucial yet vanishing part of our planet. Biodiversity loss is advancing globally. It is an ecological crisis, yet at heart, it is also a human crisis. The “pervasive human-driven decline of life on Earth” is caused by, e.g. changes in land use, direct exploitation of species, climate change, pollution and invasive alien species. Unfortunately, our current way of life is destroying the natural ecosystems on which the wellbeing and mutual survival of all species depend. How much biodiversity is there and what is required to conserve it for the future generations?
12.30 pm EU biodiversity regulation on six decades – what needs to change?
Ville Niinistö, member of the European Parliament (MEP), Public Health and Food Safety, and the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy.
EU has tried to protect nature already on six decades. Unfortunately, biodiversity loss continues to be a significant problem globally, in the EU, and also in Finland. The new nature restoration law, currently being negotiated by the EU institutions, is expected to correct the course. Still, we cannot expect one piece of legislation to be able to save the web of life. As societies, we must completely transform the way we produce food, the way we transport, the way we live and consume. Planetary boundaries must be taken into account in all law making. This way, when the 7th decade of EU’s biodiversity policies start in 2030, we will have finally halted biodiversity loss.
1 pm Coffee and snacks
+Research poster show
1:30 pm Workshops
3 pm Walking the talk – insights from Qvidja
Saara Kankaanrinta, chair and co-founder of Baltic Sea Action Group foundation, Carbon Action Platfrom, Q Power Ltd, Soilfood Ltd
In the Qvidja pilot farm research, forest management and farming practices focuse on soil carbon and biodiversity – Qvidja represents regenerativity, aiming to create a food production system that is good for the climate, biodiversity, and the state of the Baltic Sea.
3.30 pm Towards biodiversity respectful leadership
Professor Satu Teerikangas, co-leader of BIODIFUL, UTU Turku School of Economics
Leadership has long been debated. Yet, why and how does biodiversity challenge existing views of leadership? Based on BIODIFUL researchers’ work, I offer an overview of what biodiversity respectful leadership entails. The presentation is an inspiring call for everyone to engage toward world-changing agency.
Workshops
See detailed description in the end of the page
- Ville Uusitalo: Measuring biodiversity impacts // GOTO33
- Anne Quarshie and Päivi Luoma: Biodiversity and global supply chains // GOTO31
- Milla Unkila: Sustainability 3.0: nature positive business models // KINO
- Saska Tuomasjukka, Irene Kuhmonen and Anu Hopia: Food, food systems and biodiversity // GOTO32
- Mia Salo, Juulia Räikkönen and Miia Grenman: Biodiversity respectful consumption and meaningfulness // GALLERY
Keynote Speakers
Ville Niinistö
Member of the European Parliament Ville Niinistö is a member on the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, and the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy. In 2011-2014 he worked as the Minister for the Environment in Finland, in addition to being a member of the Finnish Parliament (2007-2019) and the Chairperson of the Green League (2011-2017). He holds a Master’s degree in Political Science and History from the University of Turku. To counterbalance his work in Brussels, he spends his free time in the Turku Archipelago.
Saara Kankaanrinta
Saara Kankaanrinta is the chair and co-founder of the award-winning Baltic Sea Action Group foundation and Carbon Action Platfrom, Q Power Ltd and Soilfood Ltd. She and her husband develop regenerative practices in the Qvidja reseach farm. She has an exceptional ability of forming holistic yet targeted actions – and to mobilize people, ideas and resources within science, NGO, business and politics.
Ilari Sääksjärvi
Professor Ilari Sääksjärvi is the director of the Biodiversity Unit at the University of Turku, Vice Chair of the Finnish Nature Panel, and director of BIODIFUL. As a biodiversity researcher he has specialized in rare tropical insects and Amazonia. In addition to his prolific research career, Sääksjärvi bears an active role in popularizing biodiversity knowledge, especially concerning the impacts of biodiversity loss on societal phenomena.
Satu Teerikangas
Professor Satu Teerikangas leads the subject area in Management and Organization at the School of Economics, University of Turku. She is also Honorary Professor at University College London as well as vice director of BIODIFUL. Her research focuses on leadership, agency and strategic change management at the interface of business and the natural environment. In addition to BIODIFUL, she is also actively involved in the Strategic Research Council-funded circular economy research consortium CICAT2025.
Workshops
Measuring biodiversity impacts
In this workshop we are focusing on biodiversity footprint evaluation with life cycle assessment (LCA) method. We will discuss about needs for biodiversity related information and how LCA could help to provide this information.
Biodiversity and global supply chains
In this workshop you will hear current research findings related to biodiversity management in supply chains. The workshop organizers will facilitate discussions on biodiversity-respectful business and purchasing.
Sustainability 3.0: nature positive business models
In this workshop we will go beyond sustainable business and explore nature positive business models in diverse contexts and industries. If business was to genuinely benefit the planet and its people with the enabling power of profits, how would it look like?
Biodiversity respectful consumption and meaningfulness
This workshop discusses meaningfulness, good life, and the need for change in consumption. We also present BIODIFUL consumer survey research results and the views of Generation Z on meaningful life and work. The workshop will be held in Finnish.
Food, food systems and biodiversity
In this workshop we will discuss how the practices at the level of food systems and food value chains boil down to biodiversity impacts in land use decisions and farm management, and with what kind of choices biodiversity can be promoted in the food system context.
