At its meeting on 8 December 2025, the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region approved the Strategy of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region for 2025-2029 (§ 26). In accordance in cooperation in cooperation with the strategy, the Advisory Board for Climate Work is one of the working groups of the joint municipal authority, and the the Board of the Regional Assembly appointed it for the term 2026-2029 (16.03.2026 § 37).
The Advisory Board shall have the following tasks:
-guide the formation of regional climate and energy targets
-monitor changes in the business environment
-promote the implementation and monitoring of strategic objectives;
-strengthen interaction and cooperation between different stakeholders
The Climate Road Map for Northern Ostrobothnia 2021-2030 was last updated on 19 August 2024. The potential need to update the climate and energy targets will be assessed during the current period.
The Advisory Board shall meet three times a year. Key stakeholders, municipalities and the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region are represented. The Advisory Board may invite experts and representatives in the field to attend its meetings, as appropriate.
Composition 2026-2029 (3rd period of operation):
President
Lauri Nikula, Chairman of the the Board of the Regional Assembly
Vice-President
Esa Aalto, Member of the the Board of the Regional Assembly
Secretary
Ritva Isomäki, Regional Assembly of Oulu Region
Members
| Organisation | Representative | Substitute |
| Centria University of Applied Sciences | Teemu Aho, RDI Coordinator | |
| The Joint Municipal Authority for Education in the River Valleys JEDU | What a Lukkarinen, Quality and Development Manager | Jatta Sauvula, Head of Hospitality and Facility Management |
| Entrepreneurs of Central Ostrobothnia | Anna Kotamäki, CEO | Nina Niemi, Account and Communications Manager |
| Joint Municipal Authority for Education OSAO | Sanna Matikainen, Head of Division, Services | Rauno Hekkala, Member of the Board of OSAO |
| Natural Resources Institute Finland | Anne Tolvanen, professor | Päivi Merilä, Chief scientist |
| The Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners (MTK) | Jari Ahlholm, Field Manager, MTK Northern Finland Regional Assembly | Markku Ekdahl, Field manager/forest expert in the Forest Owners area of responsibility, MTK Northern Finland Regional Assembly |
| Metsähallitus | Heidi Siira, Project Manager, Nature Services | Petteri Arovainio, Regional Manager, Forestry |
| Youth representation, Northern Ostrobothnia Regional Youth Regional Assembly | Jere Viinamäki, Ii | Otto Soronen, Taivalkoski |
| Oulu University of Applied Sciences Ltd | Sanna Tyni, Principal Scientist | Outi Virkkula, Principal Lecturer |
| Oulu Chamber of Commerce | Esa Pellikainen, Executive Vice President | Mari Viirelä, Director |
| University of Oulu | Eva Pongracz, Professor | Jenni Ylä-Mella, University Lecturer |
| Vitality Centre of Northern Finland | Timo Lehtiniemi, Head of Department, Department for Rural Affairs and the Environment | Tiina Suutari, Head of Group, Agricultural and Rural Group |
| Regional Assembly of Oulu Region | Jussi Rämet, Regional Director Markus Erkkilä, Director of Design Ritva Isomäki, Specialist, Secretary of the Advisory Board | |
| ProAgria Northern Finland | Marika Sohlo, Head of Plant Services | Riina Rahkila, Environmental Specialist |
| Northern Ostrobothnia District of the Finnish Regional Assembly for Nature Conservation | Esko Saari, Chairman | Kalle Hellström, Vice-Chair |
| Finnish Forest Centre | Maria Isolahti, Business Manager | Anu Carbon, Forest Management Specialist |
| Finnish Environment Institute | Teemu Ulvi, Research Engineer | Maria Kopsakangas-Savolainen, Research Professor |
| Municipalities and cities in Northern Ostrobothnia: | ||
| City of Oulu | Maarit Talvitie, climate expert | Marko Kilpeläinen, Director, Urban Environment |
| Category: Framing societies | Kaija Muraja, Planning Manager, Kempele | Jaana Valjus, Technical Director, Liminka |
| Regional cities | Jari Hentilä, CEO, Naturpolis Oy | Laura Liuska, Environmental Inspector, Kalajoki |
| Network of small municipalities | Matias Ojalehto, Mayor, Reisjärvi | Anne Sormunen, Mayor, Utajärvi |
Additional information:
Ritva Isomäki, Regional Assembly of Oulu Region, ritva.isomaki@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi, tel. +358 40 685 4026
Climate Road Map of Northern Ostrobothnia 2021-2030 (2.0) defines the steps for the county's climate goals and measures. You will find the core messages as storytelling for the Regional Emblems here.
Northern Ostrobothnia Climate Roadmap 2021-2030 (2.0) and the main messages.
