Entries by Emma Luoma

Developing interaction between Luke and the large carnivore observers to improve the quality and coverage of large predator observation data

In the spring, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) launched a project supported by the Finnish Wildlife Agency and funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, which surveyed the opinions of large carnivore observers on how to develop their activities, increase their significance, and improve interaction between Luke and the observers. During the project, a […]

Akordi facilitates discussions between municipalities and the state on the future of the Palokki power plant

Akordi’s year began in North Karelia with discussions about the future of the Palokki power plant, when Juha-Pekka Turunen and Lasse Peltonen facilitated four discussion events in Tuusniemi, Tohmajärvi, Koli, and Joensuu. A total of 120 municipal decision-makers and mayors participated in the events from 17 municipalities, which jointly own Pohjois-Karjalan Sähkö Oy, the company […]

BOOST’s Publication Webinar: Strategic ecological compensation and nature value markets in regional and provincial planning

Time: Thursday, January 29, 2026, 9:00–10:30 a.m. (Teams) Registration: https://www.lyyti.in/strateginenkompensaatio The Boost project has developed an operating model for launching strategic ecological compensation and nature value markets at the regional and provincial levels in collaboration with researchers and experts. The end result of this work is a set of recommendations for the regional implementation of […]

Cooperation forum for reindeer husbandry and wind power featured at Nordic reindeer husbandry conference

The Nordic Reindeer Husbandry Conference was held in Alta, Norway, on 12–14 February 2025. At the conference, Akordi’s leading expert Emma Luoma and the Association of Reindeer Herding Cooperatives’ special advisor Sanna Hast presented a joint article manuscript examining the process of building a cooperation forum between reindeer herding and the wind power industry facilitated […]

Learning from the Netherlands

In June, Akordi and its steering group visited the Netherlands to see how the green transition projects are being implemented. Participants in the tour were Henna Hakkarainen, Executive Director of the TAH Foundation, which funds Akordi’s development work on proactive solutions to green transition conflicts, Johanna Kentala-Lehtonen, Secretary General of the Sustainability Panel, Touko Sipiläinen, […]

The effectiveness and development of the Maritime Spatial Plan in Finland – Case: offshore wind energy in the exclusive economic zone

The study, commissioned by the Ministry of the Environment, examined the legal framework for the development of maritime spatial planning and mapped the views of authorities and stakeholders on the development needs of the planning. The rapidly changing context for maritime spatial planning was seen as a challenge, particularly in Finland’s exclusive economic zone, where […]

Akordi’s annual report for 2023

The Annual Report succinctly wraps up Akordi’s tenth year of operation in 2023. Download the report here, in Finnish: Akordi Oy vuosikertomus 2023

Recording: The speed of the Green Transition may be stalled by environmental conflicts, 19.3.2024

Reducing environmental regulation does not automatically streamline permitting processes, but can have the opposite effect. This is the conclusion of a legal study commissioned by Akordi. A number of legislative reforms based on the government’s programme are currently being introduced to speed up the passage of green transition projects. Deregulation without a comprehensive assessment could […]

Environmental Conflict, Complexity, and Collaboration

Genevieve Allen is one of the stellar young professionals Akordi has had the privilege of working with recently. Akordi welcomed Genevieve as an intern in September 2023, and towards the end of the year she took on more responsibilities as a Communications Officer. Genevieve is fascinated by equitable, science-based approaches to environmental conflict resolution, and […]

Developing a Collaborative Water Monitoring Platform with the Local Community and Mining Companies in Sodankylä

The impact of mining on local waterways is a pressing concern in Finland. Members of the local community may have difficulty understanding the results of water monitoring, interpreting their significance and practical implications. Previous research has found that measurements commissioned by mining companies and conducted by consults are often met with distrust, regardless of how […]

Akordi’s 10th Anniversary – A Picturesque Celebration

On Tuesday, September 12th, Akordi celebrated its 10th anniversary at the historical venue, Puistokatu 4. The festivities commenced with a breathtaking performance by the Maailma choir , followed by heartwarming speeches from Akordi’s long-time mentors, collaborative partners, dear friends, and team members. The party was preceded by an open seminar in the AkordiXPuistokatu4 event series, […]

What went right? Research shows what is needed to successfully integrate contentious goals in forest management

In a recently published article ‘What went right? A collaborative process to prepare a city forest management strategy‘ (Saarikoski et al. 2023) authors analyze a collaborative process facilitated by Akordi that succeeded in creating a joint forest management strategy for the city of Jyväskylä, Finland. The analysis draws on the participants’ own account of the […]

The Global Network of the Consensus Building Institute met in the Netherlands

Picture above: CBI Global Network members Pablo Luberman, Lasse Peltonen, Nuno Delicado, Hans van Zijst, David Fairman, Michael Brown, Merrick Hoben, Marc Wesselink (front) Jonna Kangasoja, Kate Kopischke, Mara Hernández Mid June 2023 Akordi co-founders Jonna Kangasoja and Lasse Peltonen met with international mentors, colleagues and friends as the Global Network of the Consensus Building […]

Pioneering Collaboration Between Reindeer Husbandry and Wind Power Industry

Just over one-third of Finland’s land area is dedicated to reindeer husbandry. Reindeer herding relies on the free grazing rights and large areas of contiguous pasture. Other land uses pose a threat to the future of reindeer husbandry, as they reduce and fragment grazing areas, disrupting the peace of the pastures. At the same time, […]

Exploring the Social Acceptance of Wind Power in Central Finland

The increased integration of wind power into Finland’s energy production is a nationally significant strategic decision in the context of the green transition. With the rapid development of wind power technology and the growth in production capacity from wind turbines, Central Finland, especially in the northern part of the region, has become a nationally significant […]