Finland strengthens its international profile with a new Climate Honours diploma

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is launching the new Climate Honours diploma to recognise and thank those involved in climate work. Finland’s network of missions around the world will grant Climate Honours to individuals and small organisations that are leading the way in combating climate change.

International studies show that Finland is a valued climate actor, and that environmental and sustainable growth issues are one of the key strengths of Finland’s country image. Launched by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Climate Honours diploma will contribute to the continual strengthening of Finland’s international profile, while also drawing attention to those who are involved in climate work. The diploma recipients will be published on www.untilweact.fi, which highlights Finland’s climate work. The website provides a great deal of information on Finland’s climate expertise in business, in education and at the municipal level.

Finland wants to thank climate actors

Finland wants the new diploma to encourage discussion on climate issues and call attention to international actors working for a common future. The Climate Honours are not only a tribute to persistent work, but also a message about the importance of cooperation beyond borders.

“Our job is to make sure that future generations can enjoy a healthy planet, too,” says Kerstin Stendahl, Special Envoy for Climate Change at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. “Close international cooperation is essential so that we can ensure opportunities for a good life for current and future generations.”

The diploma will also help Finland demonstrate its expertise in sustainable development and innovations that can be used to find common solutions.

Climate issues increasingly important

In recent years, climate-related issues have begun to dominate various global opinion surveys. For example, the annual Anholt-Ipsos Nation Brands Index, which focuses on country brands, shows that environmental issues are a major concern for citizens. Finland has a strong profile as a climate actor; the index ranks Finland fifth among 60 countries in environmental and climate issues.

According to a recent study conducted by Bloom Consulting in ten countries, 85% of the respondents consider Finland a somewhat significant, significant or highly significant actor in solving global challenges such as climate change.

Climate Honours following Hän Honours

The Climate Honours follow in the footsteps of the Hän Honour, which focuses on equality. That recognition diploma, launched in 2019 and presented in more than 20 countries so far, draws attention to various individuals and organisations working to promote equality. The Hän Honour won the prize for best communications strategy at the City Nation Place conference in 2021.

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Contact info and media interview requests

  • Meira Pappi, Country Branding Specialist, Unit for Public Diplomacy, tel. +358 40 140 8940
  • Kerstin Stendahl, Special Envoy for Climate Change, Unit for Climate and Environmental Diplomacy, tel. +358 295 350 310
  • The email addresses of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs are in the format firstname.lastname@formin.fi.