On 12 December 2024, Kyoto University welcomed Prime Minister Petteri Orpo of Finland for a lecture entitled "Increasing Climate Handprint and Proceeding Towards Carbon Neutrality by 2035 – How Finland Does It?" The event took place in the International Conference Hall of the University's Clock Tower Centennial Hall building with approximately 200 students attending.
The talk was moderated by Associate Professor Fumitaka Wakamatsu of the Institute for Liberal Arts and Sciences (ILAS), with a welcome address by Dr Tetsuo Sawaragi, executive vice-president for research ethics, integrity, code of conduct, and international affairs. Prime Minister Orpo's presentation, which discussed Finland's successful efforts to reduce CO2 emissions while achieving economic growth, was followed by a lively question-and-answer session.
