Paula Kivimaa: “A comprehensive approach to mitigation and climate policy is needed”
Paula Kivimaa, research professor at the Finnish Environment Institute, brings to the Panel expertise in managing multiple perspectives: she has studied energy and transport systems and the transformation to a low-carbon society. Kivimaa’s research also highlights the role of public policy. According to Kivimaa, climate change mitigation and climate policy now require systemic, holistic thinking.
Research Professor Paula Kivimaa’s research career began in the early 2000s, when, working for the Finnish Environment Institute (Syke), she studied the impact of international air protection policies on large combustion plants. Kivimaa then moved on to researching eco-innovations in the forest industry. Her doctoral thesis at the then Helsinki School of Economics was on the eco-innovation effects of environmental policy in the Nordic forest industry.
Since 2008, Kivimaa has been studying energy and transport systems and the transition to a low-carbon society from different perspectives.
“The focus has been on socio-technical systems: how environmentally friendly innovations emerge and spread, and the role of public policy in changing systems,” says Kivimaa.
Kivimaa completed her undergraduate degree (1998–2002) and spent part of her career in the UK, before returning to Finland, where she now works. From 2015 to 2019, Kivimaa was based at the University of Sussex in the UK, researching the energy efficiency of buildings.
“I have been looking at the very grassroots level, at the issues that drive people to carry out energy renovations and what kind of ‘intermediaries’ are needed to facilitate this. The research has also explored a broader perspective on what influences the emergence of new energy services and how public policies to promote the energy efficiency of buildings have evolved,” she says.
Latest research to inform policy makers
Kivimaa sees the Finnish Climate Change Panel as a motivating place to make a difference, as decision-makers and officials listen to the Panel’s members. Membership of the Panel therefore offers an opportunity to bring the latest research messages to the attention of decision-makers in the areas of research the Panel member specialises in.
Kivimaa explains that her skill on the Finnish Climate Change Panel lies precisely in managing multiple perspectives.
“I take a broad and cross-sectoral approach to climate change, looking at it from different perspectives and also through societal action,” Kivimaa says.
According to Kivimaa, the current situation in society underlines the need to move quickly from climate change mitigation and preparedness to matters to do with adaptation.
“However, we should not forget about mitigation: the need for it has not gone away and there is a great urgency surrounding it,” says Kivimaa.
Climate change is a lifestyle issue
Kivimaa’s strongest area of expertise lies in climate change mitigation. She would like to promote a perspective of systemic change in the Finnish Climate Change Panel and bring a holistic approach to mitigation and climate policy.
According to Kivimaa, climate policy alone cannot change the way the sectors causing emissions operate, as the various factors are intertwined and significant emission reductions require completely new technical, business and institutional systems for energy, transport and food.
“How can we accelerate the energy transition? And what about reducing carbon emissions from transport, and what change is needed in the food sector?” Kivimaa lists the research areas that are important from a climate perspective.
She is also interested in the issue of leadership in relation to lifestyles.
“We should think about what kind of leadership is needed from municipalities and the state, and how we can encourage people to change their lifestyles. Climate change is very much a lifestyle issue,” says Kivimaa.
Outside of her research work, Kivimaa enjoys nature and sports: with hobbies including going on forest hikes with her family, along local nature trails and in parks, as well as going to the gym and practising yoga.
“I also started taking street dance classes after 20 years away from it. It was surprisingly easy to get up to speed, follow the moves and get dancing again after such a long break,” she says.