In a new study, the Climate Leadership Coalition, a consortium of Finnish companies, and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) estimate that the green transition could generate EUR 85-100 billion in export revenues for Finland by 2035. In the Climate Leadership Coalition's Kaikkien aikojen jättipotti campaign, launched today, CLC member organisations are sending a common message: the green transition is an opportunity for Finland to reduce emissions, but above all it is an opportunity for growth, jobs and prosperity.
Sanoma participates in the campaign as a member company of the Climate Leadership Coalition and by providing media space for the campaign material to raise awareness of the climate crisis.
Media and learning increase climate literacy
Climate literacy refers to people's ability to understand the climate crisis, to perceive related societal issues from a climate perspective and to assess the relevance of the information being communicated. What are the benefits of climate literacy? Kaisa Uurasmaa, Head of Investor Relations and Sustainability at Sanoma, answers. The article was originally written for the Kaikkien aikojen jättipotti campaign page and can also be found in Finnish at clc.fi/jättipotti.
1) Why does the world need climate literacy?
"The climate crisis is a complex phenomenon. Climate literacy is about our ability to understand the phenomenon, to frame societal issues in terms of climate science and to assess the relevance of the information being communicated. We already have a shared understanding of the problem and the goal - to stop warming as soon as possible. Many countries and companies have taken up the challenge of mitigating the crisis by setting ambitious targets. Measures have also been taken, but the next few years will determine how these targets are achieved. Will our climate literacy be enough to link social issues and climate solutions?", writes Kaisa Uurasmaa, Head of Investor Relations and Sustainability.
2) Does Finland have something unique to offer?
"The role of the media as an interpreter of complex consequences and solutions, i.e. as a promoter of climate literacy, is important, as people mainly get their information on climate change from the media. As news media traditionally relies on reporting new phenomena, reporting on the climate crisis requires expertise. People want solution-oriented information, not threat painting. Trust in the media affects climate literacy, because few people read news they do not trust. In Finland, trust in the news is at an all-time high, and we have independent journalists who are accountable to readers." continues Kaisa Uurasmaa.
3) What do we need to succeed?
"An example of success in promoting climate literacy is Helsingin Sanomat HS Ympäristö -section focused on environmental topics. Stories have been published on average four times a day for the past year and viewed 62 million times. The range of topics has varied from everyday tips to major issues such as the drought in Europe.
As a learning and media company, Sanoma's own climate work must also be in order if we are to produce credible content on the subject. That's why Sanoma's climate targets are based on the international Science Based Targets initiative, which is aligned with the Paris Climate Agreement and the 1.5 degree scenario of climate science.
All Finnish companies need long-term policies and investments in renewable energy to drive the green transition in Finland and Europe. Much of the EU-wide funding is increasingly linked to climate criteria and business action, and it is in the interest of business to invest in active climate work." says Uurasmaa.
Sanoma`s ambitious Science Based Targets aligned climate targets guide our climate action
During 2022, Sanoma updated its climate targets following the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) guidelines, setting emission reduction targets to limit global warming in line with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5 degree goal. Our climate footprint comes from own operations (Scope 1 and 2) and value chain (Scope 3). Scope 1 covers direct emissions from owned or controlled sources. Scope 2 covers indirect emissions from the generation of purchased energy consumed by the reporting company. Scope 3 includes all other indirect emissions that occur in a company’s value chain. Sanoma aims to annually reduce CO2-emissions from own operations and value chain by 4.2%. This means a 38% reduction by 2030 from a 2021 base year, in addition to the earlier emission reduction measures. In addition to reduction targets, we aim to be carbon neutral in all operations in 2030.
In 2022, we reduced both our own operations and value emissions
In 2022, greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from Sanoma’s own operations declined mainly as a result from moving to renewable heating and significantly reducing our reserve power consumption in our largest printing facility in Finland, Sanomala. Our most significant climate impacts derive from the indirect emissions of our supply chain. During 2022, our relevant Scope 3 value chain emissions declined by 8.2% as a result of several materials, logistics and services related initiatives.
Learn more about Sanoma´s sustainability and climate action at Sanoma.com/sustainability.
Additional information
Kaisa Uurasmaa, Head of Investor Relations and Sustainability, tel. +358 40 560 5601
Sanoma
Sanoma is an innovative and agile learning and media company impacting the lives of millions every day. Our Sustainability Strategy is designed to maximise our positive ‘brainprint’ on society and to minimise our environmental footprint. We are committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and signatory to the UN Global Compact.
Our learning products and services enable teachers to develop the talents of every child to reach their full potential. We offer printed and digital learning content as well as digital learning and teaching platforms for primary, secondary and vocational education, and want to grow our business.
Our Finnish media provide independent journalism and engaging entertainment also for generations to come. Our unique cross-media position offers the widest reach and tailored marketing solutions for our business partners.
Today, we operate in twelve European countries and employ more than 5,000 professionals. In 2022, our net sales amounted to approx. 1.3bn€ and our operational EBIT margin excl. PPA was 14.6%. Sanoma shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. More information is available at sanoma.com.