The INAR Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research is a collaborator in establishing a specialised programme for educating climate experts at universities of natural sciences. The education will bring together top expertise in climate science, the business world, and public-sector agents.
The new, specialist training for climate experts is meeting a growing need for climate expertise in various sectors. The reworked climate legislation and Finland's goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2035 demand fast actions in different organisations. Understanding climate effects, considering natural diversity, and transferring to a circular economy require a new kind of in-depth knowledge in different industries.
"The idea of this education came upon me when I realised that the people who know the most about the climate do not consider themselves to be experts. We have a great need for this education and I am pleased that it will be based on academic principles," says Markku Kulmala, professor in atmospheric sciences at the University of Helsinki, who has been developing the climate education programme.
All universities with education in natural sciences in Finland are participating in the programme: the University of Eastern Finland, the University of Jyväskylä, the University of Oulu, the University of Tampere, the University of Turku, and Åbo Akademi. The Climate Leadership Coalition (CLC) has also participated in the planning. The preparation of the specialised programme is financed by Technology Finland and the Ministry of Education and Culture.
