sustainable Finland
Respect, treasure, enjoy, love. Use these words as your mantra when you are in Finland and you will enrich your visit and help to preserve this beautiful country. Finland’s untouched and pristine nature is at the core of Finnish life and its sanctity is paramount. Living sustainably and in harmony with the environment is deep-rooted here and is an essential element of responsible travel. This includes not only a respect for nature and wildlife, but also people and their age-old customs
Sustainable tourism is committed to having a positive impact on nature, society and the economy, leaving a low ecological footprint and honouring local cultures. Keep nature clean by choosing environmentally-friendly options in modes of travel, and recycle, reuse and reduce your overall consumption and waste. Choose locally- produced and ethically-made food and products, and be respectful of local communities and traditions.
This section introduces you to the Finnish way of living ethically and sustainably. It will guide you to make all the best choices as an enlightened traveller in Finland.
SLOW TRAVEL
Want to discover authentic Finland? Then we advise you to take your time and slow down. To get a true sense of place and people, one needs time.
Choose train over car if you can and explore your local surroundings on foot or by bike. All cities and most small towns have bikes for rent –Helsinki’s bike rental system is the most used by citizens in all of Europe! Traveling by bike is by far the best way to experience Finland, whether you are heading to the fells of Lapland, along the scenic routes of coastal Finland or exploring Lakeland’s beautiful waterways from the shore. And because Finns are so connected to nature, there is almost certainly a trail system nearby where you can walk, cycle or run and ski in winter.
Food – local, fresh, wild and pure
Finns take their food very seriously. As a nation, we grow up with a deep knowledge of the natural world and many Finns know how to identify most edible plants, berries and mushrooms found in nature. Fishing, hunting and foraging are still a natural part of the Finnish lifestyle and form the very basics of the modern food culture too. Aromatic, nutrient-rich, seasonal and very clean – that about sums up Finland’s unique, arctic wild food.
SLOW SHOPPING, GREEN DESIGN
Vintage, recycled, organic, fairtrade, home-made…the ethical list of “slow” products and fashion is long. Green design, on the other hand, can include anything from architecture to furniture – made from renewable sources, ethically. Finland is a leader in both slow fashion and slow design. Or what do you think of the fact that Helsinki Fashion Week 2018 was 100% sustainable?
Organic, fairtrade, green, ethical…oh yes, please!
By choosing products with an eco-label and traveling to destinations that take environmental protection seriously, you offset some of the burden traveling abroad puts on the planet.
To help you choose the most sustainable options as possible during your holiday, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most important green and ethical labels and logos in Finland.
Eceat Finland label
ECEAT (European Centre for Ecological and Agricultural Tourism) develops and promotes tourism that supports organic agriculture, sustainable land use, the protection of nature and the environment, and the protection of cultural heritage and traditional rural landscapes. More info here.
Eko Kompassi label
Eko Kompassi is an environmental management system designed for the use of SMEs and events. The certificate demonstrates a commitment to continuously improving and complying with the 10 criteria of EcoCompass.
Green Key ecolabel
Green Key award is the leading standard of excellence in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism industry. In Finland there are almost 70 Green Key awarded sites, including hotels, small accommodation, campsites and attractions. More info here.
Nordic swan Ecolabel
Finnish products, hotels and restaurants that satisfy strict environmental demands can use the Nordic Swan ecolabel. These include energy efficiency, materials and chemicals, all the way from raw materials to end product and waste management.
More info here.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
A new Energy Efficiency Agreement period in Finland is scheduled over 2017–2025. By joining the agreement and committing to improve their use of energy, a company or a municipality is doing their part in helping Finland become more energy-efficient. More info here.
Keep the Archipelago Tidy
Keep the Archipelago Tidy Association (Pidä Saaristo Siistinä ry) is a Finnish environmental organisation whose aim is to keep Finland’s coastlines and archipelago clean. It also supports opportunities for recreational boating and the enjoyment of all the waterways in and around Finland. More info here.
EKOenergy
EKOenergy is an international network of environmental organisations and an ecolabel for electricity. EKOenergy is the only international ecolabel for renewable electricity. More info here.
Hyvää Suomesta label
Hyvää Suomesta label is a designation of origin for Finnish packaged foods. The label is voluntary and may be used by food industry companies that manufacture their products in Finland using Finnish ingredients.
More info here
Finnish organic food label
Luomu is Finland’s own organic food label that denotes controlled organic production. It is the official label of the Finnish inspection authorities, owned by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. All products using it must adhere to EU’s organic standards.
EU organic product label
The EU organic product label indicates that the product has been grown within sustainable cultivation systems. Foods may only be marked as “organic” if at least 95% of their agricultural ingredients are organic. . See more info here.
“100% Finnish” food label
“Purely Finnish” food label denotes vegetable, fruit and flower production that is 100% Finnish. The label is given to those farmers and growers who pass the strict criteria, set by the Finnish Horticultural Products Society. See more info here.
Some sustainable things to do on your holiday
Collect and save at My Stay – our tool for you.
Conquer Mt. Halti, the Highest Summit of Finland
This is the dream of many visitors to Kilpisjärvi: to conquer the Top of Lapland!…
You might also enjoy these
In Finland, you can find some of the world’s last wilderness regions, where you can experience the untouched nature with its rare wild animals.
Read More about Finland’s wonderful wildlifeFinnish berries and fruits are packed with sweet flavors and healthy vitamins and flavonoids.
Read More about It's harvest time – try superfoods from Finnish natureFinnish national parks are protected areas with unique natural features. Accessing them is encouraged, and they present a number of recreational possibilities.
Read More about Experience the Finnish National ParkFinland has the largest lake and the fourth largest natural freshwater lake in Europe - perfect for combining water activities and nature.
Read More about Paddle the Thousand Lakes of FinlandShaped by the Ice Age, the Turku archipelago consists of over 20,000 islands and islets.
Read More about Cycling the Archipelago TrailLike forest, there is water everywhere in Finland and according to Unicef, it is the purest in the world. Lakes, ponds, rivers, islands and coastal areas forms 314 604 kilometres of unique waterlines.
Read More about Water – a Pure Reason to Visit Finland
