As illustrated by SYKE’s activities and the impact stories, SYKE seeks to support sustainability solutions in a timely fashion, always making use of latest research. Foresight and innovativeness are built into our succession of activities. We have published on a broad range of sustainability transitions since 2015, and have fed these ideas to the current Government Programme.
At the organizational level, SYKE has invested in specific strategic areas. Our Strategic Programmes on sustainable circular economy, sustainable urbanization and environmental information started in 2018 to follow the example of the pre-existing Strategic Programme on Climate Change. These programmes are actively developing and consolidating our activities across the organisation. Additionally, SYKE’s annual strategic recruitments strengthen our competence in new areas.
SYKE has kick-started new activities also with seed funding for projects supporting SYKE’s strategy and generating societal impact, with novelty, multidisciplinarity and consolidation of dispersed activities. The impact story on micro plastics started with seed-funding in 2015.
In 2019 the following projects were awarded seed-funding:
- Exploring SYKE’s potential for producing Essential Variables with Earth Observation (EVO)
- Land use projections for assessing climate change mitigation, adaptation and vulnerability across integrated sectors and regions in Finland (LUPAAVA)
- CONSOLCA – an LCA consolidation project
- Improving continuous in situ water quality measurement systems, quality control and use of data
- Towards effective science-policy-society interactions in SYKE’s research and development projects
SYKE is a forerunner in open data (recognised by our open science award in 2019), collaborative and engaging approaches (recognized in the award for an integrated and engaging approach in the evaluation award in 2019) and also novel monitoring techniques. New projects that have just received funding include underwater technologies for ocean observation (Nautilos) from Horizon 2020 and e-dna species identification from the Academy of Finland.
New methods for environmental monitoring and data production
SYKE´s environmental monitoring was modernized in the multi-year Monitor2020 project to meet user needs. Operations were modernized by utilizing new technologies and developing the predictability of information, the real-time nature of observation activities, the distribution of information and the ease of interpretation.
The automation of operations, the elimination of duplication of activities and the involvement of citizens in monitoring make it possible to meet growing international reporting obligations at a lower cost. The program achieved significant savings in the implementation of environmental monitoring. It was estimated that saving 1.6% of the sample size and statistical planning would save EUR 1.6 million annually. Further studies have explored the implementation of the value of information (VOI) concept for marine and lake monitoring.
Monitor 2020's projects produced various interface services, e.g. for water forecasts, the development and testing of various services that may be suitable for civic observation, testing the introduction of DNA-based methods and computer vision into routine monitoring and the improvement of the reliability of monitoring by providing new tools for quality management.
Artificial intelligence
Flood risks are projected to more than double by the end of the century as a result of economic and population growth and climate change. The need to develop new operating models and partnerships has become necessary to adapt to risks. Population growth has also increased pressure to increase energy and food production in the aquatic environment. The utilization of algae and plants for food and energy has increased sharply.
Artificial intelligence and autonomous aircraft can be used to map plants of interest and estimate the amount of biomass in the environment. The use of artificial intelligence and IoT in water risk prediction and environmental monitoring also supports the emergence of new innovations, the renewal of actors, efficiency and productivity.
SYKE's Intelligent Water project utilizes autonomous aircraft, machine vision, IoT technology at surface and groundwater stations, and in-depth learning in flood risk management. The project uses machine vision to map points of interest in the aquatic and terrestrial environment to assess monitoring and biomass levels, and to assess ice loss and freezing. The project uses products and services already developed by the participating companies in order to rapidly introduce new innovations and operating models.
Finnish regional emission scenario model FRES
SYKE evaluates air pollution emissions and their impacts on the climate, environment and human health. The evaluations are supported by so-called integrated assessment models (IAMs) that describe multiple air pollution emissions, their dispersion in the atmosphere, impacts on the environment and emissions reduction opportunities and costs in a coherent framework.
The most important national level tool is the Finnish Regional Emission Scenario model (FRES), which has been developed in cooperation with the Finnish Meteorological Institute FMI and The National Institute for Health and Welfare THL. The model results are used for both scientific assessment and supporting policy-making.
Air pollution damage cost model for Finland
The health effects of air pollution in Finland were financially assessed in a project completed in 2018 (IHKU), which developed a nationwide counter for assessment. One of the proposed measures in the Air Protection Program is the introduction of an IHKU counter as part of the decision-making processes. Due to
the great interest of municipalities, SYKE developed the counter in 2019 as a
customized tool for municipal decision-makers and experts (Municipal IHKU). It allows municipalities to assess the impact of measures to reduce fine particulate emissions on the health of local residents and the monetary value of health benefits. The introduction of the counter will be intensified and further developed through user training in 2020.