The Chicago Climate Exchange operates the world’s first and North America’s only cap and trade system for all six greenhouse gases, with global affiliate exchanges and members worldwide, including the flagship European Climate Exchange (ECX), based in London. It launched in 2003 prior to the start of the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS). CCX members are leading corporations, cities, states and other entities from all sectors of the economy who are leaders in greenhouse gas reduction and management. Economist and financial innovator Richard Sandor is founder and Chairman of CCX.

In a cap-and-trade structure similar to the EU’s ETS, CCX members make a voluntary but legally-binding commitment to reduce emissions in accordance with the CCX emissions reduction schedule. Companies that earn surplus allowances by surpassing their reduction targets may sell or bank those allowances; companies that don’t meet their emissions targets must buy allowances to come into compliance.

CCX also offers Associate Membership for office-based businesses or institutions with minimal emissions. The Embassy of Finland joined CCX in this category in 2008, and is offsetting their emissions from activities such as electricity use and business travel.

Chicago Climate Futures Exchange (CCFE), the futures and options division of CCX, trades more than 20 environmental products. CCX, CCFE and ECX are owned by Climate Exchange plc which trades on the AIM division of the London Stock Exchange (CLE.L). For more information visit www.chicagoclimateexchange.com 

The Chicago Climate Exchange is a corporate member of the Finnish American Chamber of Commerce in New York

The Young Associates, a FACC New York membership category created in 2005, is an initiative to attract the younger generation with different programs, mainly evenings, but also a Vappu picnic, etc. The objectives are to create networking opportunities for younger Finns and other nationalities interested in Finland, Finnish culture or Finnish-related businesses operating in the U.S., to offer access to a young talent pool and to provide FACC events and related Nordic and other European events to younger members.

The Young Associates of the Finnish American Chamber of Commerce had an informal networking meeting on Tuesday November 10, 2009, at the Fitz, 687 Lexington Avenue. The purpose is to network with other professionals and other FACC members.

Members of the Young Associates are invited to a private reception on December 1, 2009, at the occasion of the preview of the exhibit “Mousa – Painting with the Lens” at the New Art Center, 580 Eighth Avenue in New York City.

The next upcoming event is a joint Christmas shopping event between the Young Associates and the Finnish American Women’s Network at the upper eastside Marimekko store on December 15, 2009, 6.30-8pm. Refreshments will be served.

For more information: youngassociatesnyc@gmail.com, faccnyc@verizon.net

Sibelius Academy

The “House of the Sun” opera in Austin, Texas and in Finland
Einojuhani Rautavaara´s opera The House of the Sun is a co-production of the Sibelius Academy, University of Texas at Austin and the Theatre Academy of Finland's Department of Lighting and Sound Design. The performances took place on Oct 14-15 in Finland and on Oct 29 - Nov 1 in Austin/ Texas. The singers come from both universities and the orchestras from the respective universities. The performance was of high quality; especially the singers and staging were praised. "This was a great experience and it encourages us to continue co- operation between our universities", said President Gustav Djupsjöbacka from the Sibelius Academy.

The opera is based on a real life story of Eleanor (Noora) and Irene (Riina) Thiessen. These sisters along with their family had to flee St. Petersburg after the revolution in 1917. They moved to Finland and lived in a house called Solgården (Sun´s garden) for almost 70 years. Their family members died tragically one by one. When the wealth disappeared, also the maids and footmen vanished and the life of luxury came to an end. However, the sisters continued living in their minds as if nothing had changed. Finally in the winter of 1987, they literally froze to their house.

For more information about the Sibelius Academy visit www.siba.fi and to join the Friends of Sibelius to support Finnish music interests in the US, contact Leland Hoch at lelandhoch@mindspring.com

Holland & Knight's International Finance Team recently assisted Finnvera plc, the official export credit agency of the State of Finland, in an international financing in which Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCCL) acquired the world's largest cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas, delivered on October 28, 2009, from STX Finland (a part of STX Europe) in Turku, Finland. According to a recent article published in USA Today, "Finland has an interest in Royal Caribbean getting financing for Oasis as the shipyard where the vessel is under construction is an important employer in the country." 

Finnvera provided a 95 percent guarantee of the over US$1 billion post-delivery financing obtained by RCCL from three international commercial banks, BNP Paribas, Nordea Bank and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken (SEB), and Finnish Export Credit Ltd.  In addition to counseling Finnvera, the firm provided U.S. and New York legal advice to Finnish Export Credit Ltd.  The Holland & Knight finance team was led by Jovi Tenev.

"In a tough global business environment, funding and completing an ambitious project, like Oasis, is especially difficult, and Finnvera, the lenders, RCCL, and STX, its thousands of shipyard workers in Finland and world-wide suppliers, are all to be congratulated," stated Tenev. "We are thrilled to be a part of this historic project, which reinforces Finland's preeminence in innovative, high-quality shipbuilding and ship design, beautifully executed and delivered ahead of schedule to boot!"

Oasis of the Seas will be christened by seven godmothers on November 30, at her home port in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The ship's inaugural cruise will take place on December 5. The largest passenger ship ever built, the Oasis is marvel of marine architecture. Oasis spans 16 decks, about the height of a 20-story building, and some 225,000 gross registered tons, and accommodates 5,400 guests at double occupancy in 2,700 staterooms. She is the first ship to feature RCCL's new "neighborhood" concept of seven distinct themed areas, which include Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone.

Helsinki - Destination for Gourmets
"Our cuisine is intended to surprise and offer you experiences not found at most other restaurants," says Chef Hans Välimäki at Restaurant Chez Dominique in Helsinki, "and our first ambition is in taste." Chez Dominique has held two of the coveted stars of the Michelin Guide since 2003. Välimäki is a celebrated authority on food in Finland.

Chez Dominique’s recent menu for culinary luminary Gordon Ramsay says much about Finnish food and cuisine at its best; marinated Baltic herring with Rossini caviar; Finnish organic vegetables a la Chez Dominique; milk-fed reindeer, ceps and essence of forest; Finnish wild berries in different textures, pavlova; and Petit Fours. All made from first-class Finnish raw materials.

Helsinki restaurants excel in local produce, fish and meat. The cooking is creative, and the restaurants have risen to among the best in the Nordic countries, easily on a par with the European elite.

Three other Helsinki restaurants have earned Michelin stars: Postres specializes in Scandinavian cuisine. Demo distinguishes itself with a stylish minimalistic interior and, in their words, “carefully hand-crafted portions.” Carma features international design items to create an exciting atmosphere.

Three Helsinki restaurants have earned the Michelin’s Guide Bib gourmand symbols, which designate the inspectors’ favorites: Grotesk, Mecca and Solna.

Article source: City of Helsinki Communications Office. Caption: Fresh! From Finland. Photo credits: City of Helsinki Tourist & Convention Bureau Material Bank.


Fresh! From Finland – culinary adventure at Scandinavia House, New York, October, 2009
A relatively unknown culinary destination, Finland is living a remarkable food renaissance. Numerous Finnish restaurants are utilizing fresh local produce, attracting both Michelin Stars and praise from international press. Finnish cuisine is a delicate mixture of East and West - Scandinavian cooking spiced up with some Russian influence. Ingredients harvested from the clean waters and abundant forests of Finland serve both as the inspiration and as the raw material for kitchen. Scandinavia House was celebrating Finnish culinary culture in October by bringing the fresh flavors of Finnish cuisine to New York. Pekka Terävä, head chef for Finnish restaurant Olo was spicing up the menus of Smörgås Chef Restaurant at Scandinavia House for a week with exciting Finnish dishes. The Shop at Scandinavia House featured special Fresh! From Finland section with Finnish food products, cooking books and other dining related items.

There was one night of special food demonstration and tasting offering the possibility to familiarize the participants with delicious and surprising flavors of Finland from the Southern archipelagos to the Arctic North. Famous Finnish chef Pekka Terävä from Olo restaurant demonstrated various cooking techniques including a sampling of Finnish delicacies. The event was part of the Fresh! From Finland campaign produced by the Consulate General of Finland in New York.

FACC Helsinki celebrating 90 years of diplomatic relations between Finland and the US
In 2009, Finland and the United States are celebrating 90 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. To commemorate, both in Finland and the U.S. during 2009, there have been several events, which celebrate the ties between the countries, as well as the history of cooperation.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with the Finnish American Chamber of Commerce (FACC) Helsinki, American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Finland, the League of Finnish-American Societies (SAYL) and the Embassy of the United States of American in Helsinki organized an event in honor of the 90th anniversary. The event was hosted by Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb and other speakers were the new US Ambassador of Finland, H. E. Mr Bruce Oreck and the chairman of FACC Helsinki, Mr Heikki Malinen.

Minister Stubb spoke about the US – Finnish relations from a personal point of view reminiscing of his time in Florida and South Carolina. He pointed out how important a part his experiences in the US had played in his career development. It was during his undergraduate studies at the Furman University that he chose to specialize in the European Union. Ambassador Oreck relied on history to convey the importance of communication. Chairman Malinen also spoke of the importance of student exchange and how his own time spent at Harvard Business School was “life changing”. In addition, Malinen reviewed the state of trade between the two countries and pointed our positive examples of successful collaboration. All three speakers agreed that there were many opportunities for further cooperation between the countries and how important it is for Finland to maintain and develop the relationship with the US.

Among the 200 guests there were representatives from companies that have successfully expanded their business in the U.S such as Vaisala, Suunto and Ekahau as well as individuals who have played key roles in the transatlantic relations during the past 90 years.

The guests enjoyed a buffet dinner followed by dancing to live music by the Finnair Pilots’ Big Band. The event was a celebration designed to bring together various actors in the field of transatlantic relations, to create new relationships between different actors and to deepen cooperation. This was an opportunity to celebrate the Finnish and U.S. relations in the past 90 years, while looking to the future and new opportunities for cooperation brought forth by the new U.S. administration. The present global economic situation and the challenges businesses are facing also can be seen as opportunities for new innovations and possibilities for closer cooperation and expansion.