CT Logo

Finland Day highlights new business partnerships, climate action initiatives and opportunities for collaboration across sustainable infrastructure and emerging technologies

Finland and India strengthened their cooperation on circular economy, climate action and sustainable technologies during Finland Day, an official accelerator session of the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF2026) held in Gandhinagar on September 17.

WCEF2026, hosted for the first time in South Asia from September 15–18, brought together governments, businesses, investors, researchers and innovation organisations to explore opportunities for accelerating the transition towards a circular economy.

Finland Day was organised by the Embassy of Finland in New Delhi and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. The session focused on collaboration between Finnish and Indian organisations across areas including maritime systems, energy, the built environment, sports infrastructure and emerging technologies.

Finland Highlights Circular Economy as a Growth Opportunity

Delivering the keynote address, Sari Multala, Minister of Climate and the Environment, Finland, emphasised the importance of moving from circular economy discussions to practical implementation.

She highlighted circularity as an opportunity to build more sustainable and resilient economies while improving resource security and industrial competitiveness. Finland’s approach includes national targets for natural-resource use, voluntary green deals and support services to help businesses implement circular solutions.

Finnish companies are developing technologies and solutions in areas including battery recycling, textiles, construction and sustainable food.

The Minister also called for the outcomes of WCEF2026 to translate into tangible action, with ideas moving towards investments, pilot projects developing into markets and successful innovations being scaled.

Minister Multala was on an official visit to India on September 16–17, visiting Gujarat and Delhi. She also addressed the closing ceremony of WCEF2026, where Finland served as co-host.

New Finland–India Partnerships Announced

A key outcome of Finland Day was the announcement of an MoU involving Finnish climate technology company Cero Hero, Finnish cleantech company Biovoima and Indian company Chakravuyha.

Under the collaboration, Cero Hero will facilitate cooperation between Biovoima and Chakravuyha for the establishment of Biovoima’s first biogas plant outside Europe.

Biovoima will provide expertise in biogas plant design and engineering, critical equipment and technical support. Chakravuyha will contribute to project identification, stakeholder engagement, regulatory processes and local implementation.

Cero Hero will support the initiative through its citizen-engagement and digital climate-action capabilities, including its Cero ID platform.

Focus on Climate Education and Youth

Finland Day also highlighted the role of education and young people in advancing climate action.

Cero Hero and Kallinga Group of Institutions (KGI) announced a partnership to introduce a Climate Identity Program for students. The initiative will enable students to create a verified record of climate-positive actions through individual Cero IDs.

Cero Hero also announced a partnership with Lok Jagruti Kendra University to deliver the Climate Identity Program, extending climate-focused engagement into the education sector.

Finland Climate Honours Diploma Presented to Mahindra Group Executive

Another highlight of the event was the presentation of Finland’s Climate Honours diploma to Ankit Todi, Chief Sustainability Officer, Mahindra Group.

Minister Sari Multala presented the diploma in recognition of Todi’s leadership and contribution to climate action.

Finland’s missions around the world award the Climate Honours diploma to individuals and organisations working to address climate change. The initiative is intended to encourage dialogue around climate issues and recognise international actors contributing to a common sustainable future.

Finland’s Experience in Circular Economy

Finland has played a significant role in the development of circular economy strategies. In 2016, the country became the first in the world to publish a national circular economy roadmap.

Building on this experience, the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra launched the World Circular Economy Forum in 2017. The annual forum has since developed into an international platform connecting businesses, policymakers, innovators and other stakeholders to advance circular economy solutions.

Finland’s participation as a co-host of WCEF2026 reflects the country’s continued focus on international collaboration in the circular economy.

India as a Platform for Global Circular Solutions

WCEF2026 connected local solutions with global markets, trade and finance through four interconnected themes covering people, business, governance and growth.

The forum also highlighted India’s potential to develop and scale circular economy solutions for markets across the wider Global South.

The strengthened Finland–India partnership demonstrates the growing role of international collaboration in areas such as renewable energy, resource efficiency, sustainable construction, biogas, recycling, climate technology and innovation.

With new business partnerships, educational initiatives and climate leadership recognition emerging from Finland Day, the WCEF2026 platform provided an opportunity to move circular economy cooperation from dialogue towards practical projects, investment and technology deployment.