Espoo actively involved in combating biodiversity loss and implementing the Nature Declaration

The Nature Forum of Finland’s ten largest cities, held in Lahti on 8 September, brought together around 600 participants and stakeholders to discuss ways to build a more nature-positive future. This year’s key theme was the importance of diverse, thriving nature and nature work as factors contributing to vitality. 

Minister of Climate and the Environment Sari Multala also attended the Nature Forum and shared an important message with the audience: cooperation between cities and businesses is essential for solving the environmental crisis.  

The Minister emphasised the importance of collaborative initiatives, such as the Nature Forum, that enable open dialogue on the challenges and opportunities of nature and climate work. Biodiversity loss is one of the defining challenges facing our planet and requires action from cities, the government and businesses alike. The cooperation between the leadership of Finland’s ten largest cities and the resulting cooperation with the business sector show a pioneering spirit that addresses environmental crises with the seriousness they require. 

“The Nature Forum encourages participants to cooperate, learn from their peers, share good practices and encourage each other in nature work, and Espoo values this type of collaboration,” says Environmental Director Tarja Söderman from the City of Espoo’s Environment and Building Control Department. 

According to Söderman, it is important for cities to take concrete action for nature and to involve all stakeholders, the entire Espoo community, other municipalities and national-level actors.  

“In Espoo, our goal is no net loss of biodiversity. This means that, in the long term, we will not reduce biodiversity or the ecosystem services that nature provides for people,” Söderman explains. 

The Nature-wise Espoo roadmap sets goals for safeguarding and increasing biodiversity in the city. During 2026, the city has, for example, defined Espoo’s principles for ecological compensation, prepared ecological restoration projects, organised the Nature-wise Gardens competition for residents, and supported the nature and sustainability work of local associations. 

“Espoo cannot achieve its ambitious nature goals alone. We need all the city’s residents and partners to join us in this work,” Söderman sums up. 

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Biodiversity loss poses a major challenge to society. The solutions will not come from cities, businesses or research alone. They must be developed together. To this end, Finland’s largest cities and their partners come together annually at the Nature Forum, which was held in Lahti this year.  

The first Nature Forum was held in Tampere in 2024, followed by the second in Espoo in 2025. One of the key outcomes of the Nature Forum is the joint Nature Declaration signed by the mayors of Finland’s ten largest cities, outlining their shared commitment to nature work. The Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries RT joined the initiative in 2025 through a separate cooperation agreement.