Lasse Peltonen

Lasse Peltonen is Professor of Environmental Governance and Conflict Resolution at the Department of Geographical and Historical Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies, University of Eastern Finland. His work focuses on environmental policy, conflict management, and natural resource governance, with particular emphasis on mining, renewable energy, and conservation conflicts.

• Professor since at least 2016
• Department of Geographical and Historical Studies
• Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies
• Active in 2024 with projects like "Adding to acceptability of wind power?" and "The state and development possibilities of mediation in Finland"

Research interests center on environmental governance, conflict resolution, and sustainable development. Current projects address wind power acceptance (THORMS project 2023-2025), mining governance (CAMI 2025-2026), and barrier removal in waterways (2024-2026). His work combines policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, and participatory governance frameworks.

Recent publications show strong focus on renewable energy acceptance (wind power), community-based natural resource governance in Uganda and Tanzania, peatland after-use strategies, and institutional approaches to environmental conflict resolution. Key themes include building public trust, analyzing policy networks, and developing collaborative practices in contentious environmental contexts.

Peltonen contributes to capacity building in environmental governance through educational programs like the ECCR course series and fieldwork projects in rural Africa. His policy work addresses Finland's environmental mediation systems, mining collaboration frameworks, and climate change adaptation strategies for landowners.

Current affiliations: University of Eastern Finland