The foundation bearing President Halonen’s name was founded in 2012, to support the sustainable development work that had already begun during the presidency. The foundation is chaired by Tarja Halonen, Riku Aalto is the vice-chairperson, and Eila Nevalainen is the secretary.

In 2022, a book on sustainability science, co-edited by President Halonen, called “Kestävyyden Avaimet – Kestävyystieteen keinoin ihmisen ja luonnon yhteiseloon” was published (Gaudeamus). The book also became available in English in 2024, and is called “The Avenues to Sustainability – Key Lessons from Sustainability Science“.

“Human activities are pushing the ecological boundaries of Earth. Rapid changes in climate and the environment create a complex, intertwined tangle of wicked problems. Sustainability science, whose focus is the interactions between humankind and nature, is the academic world’s response to the call to solve these problems.

The Avenues to Sustainability – Key Lessons from Sustainability Science is a comprehensive introduction to the concepts and theories of sustainability science, as well as to the ways in which the sustainability transformation of society could be accomplished. It also discusses how daily life, learning, cultural heritage, and art can foster a sustainable way of life.

A timely guide to sustainability science and theory both to policymakers and ordinary citizens, The Avenues to Sustainability can also be used as a university textbook. In addition to research-based knowledge, the book includes contributions from actors in the public sector, businesses, NGOs, and others in Finland.”

In 2014 the foundation published a report called “Challenges to Global Sustainability”, especially concerning environmental issues in the Baltic Sea region. The report is based on a seminar held in the honor of the President’s 70-year birthday, titled ”Challenges to Sustainable Development: Global Approaches and Practical Work in the Baltic Sea Region”.

The foundation co-organized a seminar in 2016 together with the The Trade Union Solidarity Centre of Finland (SASK). The topic of the seminar was dignified, decent work in the era of sustainable development. Based on the seminar, the foundation published a yearbook (December 8, 2016): “Challenges to Sustainability – Decent Work”.