Carbon neutral municipalities An innovative Finnish approach to climate change mitigation at local level

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1 Carbon neutral municipalities An innovative Finnish approach to climate change mitigation at local level Kaarina Toivonen, researcher Finnish Environment Institute SYKE 31 January 2011 Nordic Conference on Sustainable Development in the Baltic Sea Region

2 Five Finnish municipalities act as pioneers and laboratories by working to curb their greenhouse gas emissions ahead of schedule ( 80% by 2030)

3 Finnish Environment Institute SYKE A research institute and a centre of expertise Produces information and solutions promoting ecologically sustainable development

4 Hiilineutraalit kunnat, HINKU = urge, enthusiasm, eagerness, motivation, spirit, craving

5 Municipalities Uusikaupunki: inhabitants, 502 km 2, a small coastal city, industry, wind energy Mynämäki: inhabitants, 522 km 2, agriculture, wind energy Kuhmoinen: inhabitants, 937 km 2, forest resources, summer residents Padasjoki: inhabitants, 731 km 2, forest resources, summer residents Parikkala: inhabitants, 761 km 2, agriculture, forest resources, SMEs Kuhmoinen Parikkala Uusikaupunki Padasjoki Mynämäki

6 Achievements during first two years ( ) Emission inventories Studies on energy efficiency and renewable energy potential Commitment of municipal governments Emission reduction targets A yearly action plan included in the municipal budgets 76 reported measures Support to local companies, organizations and residents Pilot projects, side projects, surveys, events Network of key actors Uusikaupunki as a pioneer: 14 % reduction in two years, 50 % reduction by 2013

7 Improving the carbon footprint of municipal operations: Examples Energy efficiency agreement for municipalities Energy survey in municipal properties Wood fuelled district heating Energy efficient public catering Video conference facilities Etc.

8 Engaging residents in climate change mitigation: Examples Energy advising services Smart electricity metering Discussion events Sustainable development programs for schools Car sharing online service for citizens Etc.

9 Promoting green business Providing tools and guidelines for companies Creating demand for climate friendly technologies and services Case: Sybimar

10 Climate calculator Online Climate diet calculator for citizens produced by SYKE Climate impacts of housing, transportation, foodstuffs, waste, consumption Latest research results for everyone to use

11 Keys to success Climate change mitigation seen as an opportunity Actors build networks and support each other Commitment and resources in municipalities Practical tools and face to face guidance Efficient communication of good practices

12 Partners (1/2) ABB Aina Group Airwecare BaseN Oy Benviroc Biovakka Deloitte Devoi Circle Eagle Tuulivoima Ekovilla Elintarviketeollisuusliitto Energiateollisuus Enespa Fortum Innotek Kalliokaivo Kemira Kesko Kuusakoski Lassila & Tikanoja Microsoft Muovitech Finland MW Power Naps Systems Nokia Siemens Networks Nordic AC/Hi Log Oversol Paroc Posira PricewaterhouseCoopers Finland Raisio RemoteMX Savumax Schneider Electric Skaala Ikkunat ja Ovet Solutions Space St1 Suomen Lämpöpumpputekniikka Sybimar Turun Osuuskauppa Vacon Vahterus Vakka Suomen Voima Vapo Vattenfall Veikkaus Windside Production Winwind Yara YIT

13 Partners (2/2) Aalto University Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities Confederation of Finnish Industries EK Finnish Forest Research Institute (Metla) Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation Finnish Meteorological Institute Geological Survey of Finland Lappeenranta University of Technology Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Ministry of Employment and Economy Ministry of the Environment Ministry of Transport and Communications Motiva MTT Agrifood Research Finland National Consumer Research Centre No Emission Monday Support group in the Parliament Tampere University of Technology University of Eastern Finland University of Jyväskylä VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland WWF Finland

14 Towards a carbon neutral society HINKU is expanding to several new municipalities 5 7 neighbouring municipalities Expression of interest so far by 5 other municipalities including the city of Lahti with about inhabitants

15 Thank you!