Nordics for Climate Action, in association with sustainable lifestyle brand HowBottle, capped off a 10-day public campaign with Sustainable Nordic Day — a full-day event promoting circular economy practices and celebrating Sino-Nordic collaboration, in Shanghai, on March 23.
Anu Vuori (center), consul general of Finland in Shanghai, stands with the next generation of sustainability leaders. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
A collaborative initiative of the consulates general of Denmark, Finland, and Norway in Shanghai, Nordics for Climate Action is aimed at fostering innovative solutions and international cooperation to combat climate change. In 2025, they focus on Youth-Led Circular Economy, Nordic Innovation Meeting Chinese Creativity, and True Public Engagement.
Sustainable Nordic Day was the finale of a 10-day campaign starting from March 13, where Shanghai citizens engaged in the circular economy by donating their old tote bags for the upcoming youth workshop.
The day began with a circular economy seminar, where industry experts from different backgrounds presented insights into sustainable innovations. Ranging from biodegradable agricultural solutions to responsible manufacturing, the session underscored the importance of holistic approaches to climate challenges.
Young learners get hands-on with upcycling at a workshop. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Following the seminar, over 40 school children from across Shanghai got hands-on at a workshop, where they converted the donated tote bags into practical items like pencil cases. This hands-on activity demonstrated how creativity — blended with environmental responsibility — can breathe new life into everyday materials.
"Empowering the next generation with the knowledge and tools to tackle climate challenges is crucial for shaping a sustainable future. Youth-led initiatives foster creativity but also build a sense of global responsibility, encouraging collaboration across cultures to protect our planet for generations to come," said Anu Vuori, consul general of Finland in Shanghai, underscoring the spirit of youth empowerment and cross-cultural cooperation.
She said: "By engaging with sustainability and innovation at an early age, the youth are already building the solutions for a greener, more equitable future addressing the climate challenges we face."
Supa Lun, co-founder of HowBottle, highlighted the day's collaboration: "Climate action is no longer just a conversation – it is an urgent mission that requires collaboration across borders, industries and generations. That is why today's seminar, as part of the Youth Circular Economy Series, transforms the concept of a circular economy that young people can see, experience, and take part in."
Evelyn Yu from Jotun, a Norwegian chemicals company, shares innovations in paint technologies with the audience. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Xu Li, founder and CEO of Kangfen Ecolution Biology and Technology (Shanghai), whose company works closely with Finland on sustainable development, echoed this commitment to a circular future, "Our Finnish patented technology optimizes the traditional way of creating fertiliser through food waste and achieves up to 30 percent more nutrient recovery versus old methods. It's technology like ours at the industrial level that helps bring us forward into a real circular economy."
By weaving public engagement into each aspect — collecting tote bags, attending seminars, and hands-on workshops — Sustainable Nordics Day showcased a blueprint for inclusive climate action. As Nordics for Climate Action looks ahead, it continues to invite more businesses, social organizations, and everyday citizens to rethink waste management, foster a youth-led circular economy, and champion innovation across industries.
