What’s land recycling? Read about this German example
The city of Flensburg got a grant from the regional government of Schleswig-Holstein so that it would avoid building on new land
As a response, the authorities of the Finnish capital have decided to update the local Carbon Neutral program
Helsinki is one of Europe’s 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities that have taken up the challenge to get to net zero by 2030. Recent news from the Finnish capital, however, showed that the progress in emission reductions is way too slow and if maintained the ambitious goal will not be reached.
In response, the authorities have met today to discuss the proposal to update the Carbon Neutral Helsinki program in accordance with the guidelines of a new strategy. The climate plan was first introduced in 2018 but it is already seen as insufficient in its scope to instigate a deep enough impact.
"Emissions are trending in the right direction, but far too slow. In order to reach the goals, actions must be taken more effectively and purposefully. The city is strongly committed to climate goals and takes them seriously. Now we have to dare to prioritize effective actions", says Kaisa-Reeta Koskinen, director of the emission reduction program, as quoted in a municipal press release.
By 2021, the emission reduction achieved was 33 percent. In fact, compared to 2020, there was no change in that aspect.
The renewed logic of the program is based on effectiveness – it prioritizes actions that lead to direct emission reductions and where the city itself has the most influence. These include especially movement, construction and energy solutions.
In terms of traffic emissions, the goals have not been reached in many respects and will not be reached with the current measures. In the updated program, it is presented so that the city will find out in more detail what are the most effective means of reducing traffic emissions within its own decision-making power.
Other measures proposed for 2022 include, for example, adjusting the ventilation of the city's offices as needed, using low-emission concrete in infrastructure projects, changing the light sources of outdoor lamps to LED lamps and developing regional heating solutions.
Within the framework of the Carbon Neutral Helsinki program, the city has already significantly promoted, among other things, the energy efficiency of buildings, and the work will continue. The new and renovated service buildings are built to be energy efficient, and the use of geothermal and solar energy is promoted in construction projects.
When the city plans and hands over plots of land for the construction of apartment buildings, the buildings are required to have an A energy class. The city has also started offering housing associations free advice on promoting energy renovations.
The goal of the Carbon Neutral Helsinki program is to have at least 80 percent of the direct emissions of the reference year 1990 reduced by 2030, and the rest, a maximum of 20 percent, can be compensated.
The goal is to preserve these traditional features in the urban landscape while finding new purpose for their existence
His name is Adrian-Dragoș Benea from Romania
Find out her vision for the next five years and what’s in store for the European Union
Gotland wants to be at the forefront of this emerging mobility technology
It’s all about preventing the habit of slowing down just for the radar
Landkreis Heilbronn will also enlist the help of sensors to identify incorrectly filled organic trash bins
Apparently, that makes it the most progressive city in that respect in all of Finland
Residents couldn’t handle the noise pollution anymore
The Old Continent gets ready for the largest festival of sports
Apparently, that makes it the most progressive city in that respect in all of Finland
The goal is to preserve these traditional features in the urban landscape while finding new purpose for their existence
Residents couldn’t handle the noise pollution anymore
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
An interview with the Mayor of a Polish city that seeks to reinvent itself
An interview with the newly elected ICLEI President and Mayor of Malmö
A conversation with the Mayor of Lisbon about the spirit and dimensions of innovation present in the Portuguese capital