Introducing Marianne Leino: “It has been rewarding to help develop the work of the Climate Panel”
Analyst Marianne Leino helps panel members link national climate policy to the EU and international context. Developing the working methods of the Finnish Climate Change Panel and its secretariat offers a good counterbalance to the broad subject‑matter expertise required in the role.
Marianne Leino holds a Master’s degree in Social Sciences, with political science as her major. Even during her studies, she focused particularly on international climate policy. Before joining the Finnish Climate Change Panel, she worked at the Ministry of the Environment as part of the EU climate negotiation team in international climate negotiations.
In her current position, her core expertise lies in understanding national and international decision‑making processes. Knowledge of international politics provides essential context for national climate action.
“In my work, it is important to be able to relate national climate issues to the EU and global scale, because very few climate challenges can be solved purely locally,” Leino emphasizes.
Working as an analyst requires mastering broad subject areas, which suits a political scientist well.
“Through my studies, I gained a deep understanding of power structures, and this helps me ask the right questions and approach issues critically,” Leino says.
A key part of the analyst’s work is linking scientific knowledge to the world of policymaking. An analyst provides panel members with understanding of the logic behind civil service preparation and decision‑making. Leino participates in preparing various statements and reports and supports panel members by providing background information on current issues.
“If panel members, for example, receive interview requests connected to my area of expertise, I help them with background material,” she explains.
Leino also participates in the Finnish Climate Change Panel’s research and assessment projects, such as a project examining fairness in climate policy, where she developed an assessment framework for fairness together with researchers.
She also collaborates with international scientific panels.
“There are now many sister panels — the Nordic countries have their own, and in Europe there is the EU Climate Panel. In addition, there is a joint international network that we helped establish. The Finnish Climate Change Panel is therefore not unique, although we were one of the first in the world.”
“We work purely for the benefit of the climate”
The first Finnish Climate Change Panel established under the Climate Act began its work only a few years before Leino joined.
“The Panel’s secretariat is an even younger organisation. Before I started, the secretariat was essentially one person. I have had the opportunity to significantly develop both the Finnish Climate Change Panel and its secretariat, which has been very rewarding,” Leino says.
She has succeeded in improving planning, foresight and transparency in the Finnish Climate Change Panel’s operations.
“Prioritising work requires constant consideration together with the leadership, because the Panel receives far more requests than can be addressed with the resources available,” Leino notes.
The Finnish Climate Change Panel is not an advocate for any particular interest group; instead, it works solely to ensure that decision‑making and society have access to the best possible multidisciplinary knowledge for mitigating and adapting to climate change. Independence is absolutely essential for effective science advice.
“In this job, you never have to compromise on whether you are on the right side of history. Every day still feels like I am working for the right things and for the right reasons,” Leino says.
For Leino, the best part of the job is working with top experts in their fields.
“Working with the panel members and participating in various projects has taught me a lot. I have gained incredibly broad experience — from technological solutions for electrification to fairness in climate policy.”
She also values how the Panel’s secretariat fosters a positive working environment where new colleagues are warmly welcomed.
“It has been great to be involved in recruiting and onboarding new employees, especially when you see how excited they are to join this unique vantage point,” Leino says.