Sustainable and Nature-friendly Espoo development programme

If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact the programme manager, Environmental Specialist Anna Hakala, anna.hakala@espoo.fi.

The steering group is composed of elected officials, office-holders and a representative of the Youth Council. Office-holders’ email addresses are usually firstname.lastname@espoo.fi.

Elected officials’ contact information.

Chairperson of the steering group: Tiina Elo (Greens), deputy member Sonja Peschkow (Greens)

Vice-chairperson: Mia Nores (National Coalition Party), deputy member Pekka Lempiäinen (National Coalition Party)

Programme owner: Olli Isotalo, Deputy Mayor for Urban Environment

Programme manager: Anna Hakala, Environmental Specialist

Members:

Aino Laine (Social Democratic Party), deputy member Joona Koski (Social Democratic Party)

Martin Heinrichs (Swedish People’s Party), deputy member Crista Grönroos (Swedish People’s Party)

Liisa Tuomi (Left Alliance), deputy member Miika Ihonen (Left Alliance)

Tapio Tiihonen (Youth Council), deputy member Lahja Pietilä (Youth Council)

Tarja Söderman, Environmental Director, deputy member Paula Kuusisto-Hjort, Planning Manager

Helena Kyrki, Director of Sustainable Development, deputy member Reetta Jänis, Development Manager

Susanna Tommila, Cultural Director, deputy member Tapio Taskinen, Manager of Sports Services

Ulla Lehtonen, Director of Early Childhood Education, deputy member Saara Salmi-Rautiainen, Early Childhood Education Specialist

The steering group has about 8–10 meetings per year. The minutes of the meetings are available in Finnish under Meetings and minutes.

The City Council approved the following goals for the Sustainable and Nature-friendly Espoo programme at its meeting on 23 February 2026.

We will actively support the introduction of nature-based solutions in Espoo. We will carry out development activities, pilot projects and studies that enable solutions increasing biodiversity and urban green spaces. Our actions will focus especially on increasing the number of trees in the city, implementing small-scale greening experiments, enhancing biodiversity in larger natural areas, controlling invasive species, and promoting the management of traditional biotopes and new habitats. We will also encourage and support companies, communities and private landowners in reducing nature-related harms and increasing biodiversity, while monitoring the development of nature value markets in Finland.

Nature is a source of wellbeing for people in Espoo, supporting their mental and physical health as well as social interaction. Through partnerships, procurement and experimentation, we will integrate diverse nature experiences into everyday services for residents. Using interactive methods and campaigns, we will make nature themes part of culture and education. We will support the development of nature connectedness and nature appreciation among Espoo residents of all ages and backgrounds, especially children and young people.

We will improve the conditions for outdoor recreation and the durability of recreational sites so that Espoo’s green and recreational areas continue to provide health benefits. We will assess, develop and pilot solutions to manage increasing recreational pressure and different forms of outdoor activities in a sustainable manner. Through communication and marketing, we will encourage residents to spend time in nature.

We will support sustainable lifestyles among Espoo residents and reduce consumption‑based emissions from housing, mobility, food, and the consumption of goods and services. We will increase awareness of the environmental impacts of consumption choices, enabling all residents to make more sustainable choices in their daily lives. We will promote the consumption of plant‑based foods, walking and cycling as modes of transport, and reuse and recycling as part of everyday activities. We will actively communicate about the state of the environment and nature using age‑appropriate engagement methods. We will support the sustainability work of associations and communities in Espoo and their actions for the environment.

We will accelerate the introduction of low‑carbon and circular economy solutions in construction. We will promote the adoption of solutions that extend the technical lifespan of buildings, enable sustainable renovation, and support the recycling of building components and fixtures. We will continue piloting and implementing solutions related to sustainable demolition, reduction of emissions in infrastructure construction, and reuse of building materials. Together with our partners, we will look for solutions to reduce the climate and nature impacts of construction.