Nordic Council Environment Prize 2022: Meet the nominees at Nordic Culture Point

The theme of the Nordic Council Environment Prize 2022 is „Nature-based solutions – a versatile response to the major environmental challenges facing society.“ With this year’s theme, we want to raise awareness of the fact that nature and nature management play a pivotal role in solving the biodiversity and climate crisis. They are therefore an important ally in the fight against climate change. In addition, we want to emphasise the fact that nature-based solutions not only support the environment and biodiversity, but we can also plan such solutions in a way that they generate social, cultural and economic value.

Six extraordinary initiatives from across the Nordics have been nominated for the prize this year. Marianne Sundholm, journalist at Swedish Yle, will lead us through a discussion with the nominees. We will get the opportunity to learn more about their work, and how they are each in their own way developing versatile solutions that not only address the climate and biodiversity crises but also generate multiple forms of co-benefits. Through their examples, we will explore how solutions that place nature at their core are able to improve human well-being by providing citizens with elements such as recreation and education,  cleaner and healthier environments, more livable cities, and increased resilience against climate hazards.

We will also hear from Aki Sinkkonen - researcher and leader of the University of Helsinki Nature-based Solutions Research Group - who will share new knowledge and insights into the connections between human health and proximity to nature. 

Nominees:

• Sund Vejle Fjord (DK)
• The Finnish River Management Association Virho (FI)
• Louise Lynge (GR)
• The Icelandic Wetland Fund (IS)
• Kristianstads Vattenrike (SE)
• City of Mariehamn for Nabben Wetland (AX)