{"id":71706,"date":"2025-10-06T12:47:07","date_gmt":"2025-10-06T09:47:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sweco.fi\/?page_id=71706"},"modified":"2025-10-06T12:47:08","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T09:47:08","slug":"piia-pessala","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.sweco.fi\/en\/sustainability\/biodiversity\/piia-pessala\/","title":{"rendered":"Piia Pessala"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Piia Pessala<\/h1>\n

Executive Director, Biodiversity Lead<\/b>, <\/span>Sweco\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Piia Pessala is responsible for developing and implementing biodiversity-related consulting services at Sweco Finland, working with a multidisciplinary team of experts. In 2025, she leads Sweco Group\u2019s international Urban Insight initiative<\/a>. These reports provide society, businesses, and decision-makers with the knowledge needed to understand and address current and future sustainability challenges.<\/p>\n

Page pulished: 6th October 2025<\/p>\n

Education<\/h2>\n

Piia began her studies at the University of Helsinki in the Department of Applied Chemistry and Microbiology, graduating with a Master of Science in Agriculture and Forestry in 1999. Her desire to understand natural processes and apply knowledge to practical solutions led her deeper into research, earning her PhD from the same department in 2009. Her academic and research background spans microbiology, chemistry, limnology, soil-plant sciences, and biotechnology\u2014giving her a strong foundation to bridge science and practice.<\/p>\n

Career<\/h2>\n

In November 2024, Piia became Executive Director at Sweco Finland, leading biodiversity efforts. Before joining Sweco, she worked nearly 20 years at Gaia Consulting Oy, a Finnish sustainability consultancy. She held various roles including expert, project manager, business director, and management team member. Gaia Consulting merged with Sweco in 2021. Piia\u2019s career began at the Finnish Environment Institute, where she researched harmful substances from 2000 to 2006.<\/p>\n

Leading biodiversity work at Sweco<\/h2>\n

Piia\u2019s mission is to ensure biodiversity<\/a> is integrated into corporate strategies and societal development. She develops services that help clients identify nature-related risks and opportunities and supports organizations in promoting biodiversity. Her work includes strategic consulting and building practical tools and models.<\/p>\n

International collaboration is central to her role\u2014bringing together experts from different countries to shape shared views on integrating biodiversity into business and urban planning. These insights are shared widely through Urban Insight reports, which offer tools and examples to support decision-making across sectors.<\/p>\n

Piia\u2019s strength lies in combining her broad scientific background, extensive consulting experience, and deep sustainability expertise into practical solutions that benefit companies, municipalities, and government agencies.<\/p>\n

Publications<\/h3>\n

Piia actively writes for Sweco\u2019s blog on biodiversity and sustainability.<\/p>\n

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back at COP16?<\/a> (11\/2024)<\/p>\n

Double material analysis with the CSRD lays the foundation for management and strategic development of sustainability work<\/a> (07\/2024)<\/p>\n

She also leads Sweco\u2019s international biodiversity-themed Urban Insight reports:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1\/2025: Five Key Trends Shaping Europe\u2019s Biodiversity Work \u2013 read the report<\/a><\/p>\n

2\/2025: Biodiversity: Key Factors for Future-Proof Business \u2013 read the report<\/a><\/p>\n

Two questions for Piia<\/h3>\n

What sparked your interest in corporate responsibility and sustainability?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always felt a strong need to stand up for the vulnerable. Humans dominate and often overburden the environment. It\u2019s important to rethink this relationship and learn to live in balance with nature rather than exploit it. Since nature can\u2019t defend itself, we need people to be its voice and make choices that support its wellbeing.\u201d<\/p>\n

What is the biggest challenge for companies in biodiversity and sustainability work today?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe biggest challenge lies in value chains: their transparency and understanding are often lacking. Every company needs materials and procurement, but few know exactly where they come from or their impacts. I encourage persistence\u2014sometimes the origin information is just one email away!<\/p>\n

Another challenge is short-term quarterly economics, which clashes with biodiversity protection that requires long-term commitment. Real change demands courage from both companies and society to view nature as a long-term value, not just a cost in the next report.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sweco<\/h5>\n
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Sweco is Europe\u2019s leading engineering and architecture consultancy, providing solutions for the sustainable development of cities and societies. Sweco\u2019s sustainability consultants in Finland support their clients in promoting biodiversity and achieving sustainable development goals.<\/p>\n

Further information:<\/p>\n

Sustainability<\/a><\/p>\n

Biodiversity<\/a><\/p>\n

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