Sustainable development includes economic, environmental, social and cultural sustainability. The Sustainable Espoo programme will implement, in a cross-administrative manner within the city organisation and the Espoo community, the Espoo Story goals approved by the City Council concerning sustainability and climate change. Active development work and an ecosystem-based approach will allow us to promote business activities, the green transition, employment and the economy in Espoo and throughout the capital region, for example in relation to the themes of smart cities, circular economy, energy and mobility, and reduce emissions, safeguard natural values and increase wellbeing. We will achieve our goals by strengthening our expertise and through cooperation between the city sectors, city corporate group, residents, businesses and partners. Through our programme work, we aim to be an international pioneer and play a strong role in the implementation of the EU programmes.
Programme goal 1: Espoo will be a pioneer in implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals
The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) steer Espoo residents towards a sustainable lifestyle and encourage the Espoo community to take account of the various dimensions of sustainability. The SDGs serve as indicators that allow us to assess and manage the effectiveness of our work. Our strategic goal is to achieve the 17 goals as a forerunner and to develop and share solutions nationally and internationally. Our solutions will serve as global examples of achieving the Agenda 2030 goals in cities, which will increase the effectiveness of sustainability work. In 2025, the pioneering work done during the strategy period will be compiled into the City of Espoo’s SDG review (Voluntary Local Review, VLR) that will be presented to the UN and the international community.
Programme goal 2: Espoo will achieve carbon neutrality by 2030
According to the strategy, Espoo will be carbon-neutral by 2030. Espoo will actively combat, prepare for and adapt to climate change. The carbon handprint of the solutions we implement together with our partners is significant and will help tackle the global climate challenge. Together with the Espoo community, the programme will create a Carbon-neutral Espoo 2030 roadmap that will set out the direction for Espoo’s climate work, taking into account the various aspects of a circular economy and sustainable development. The work to reduce emissions will accelerate the change towards a carbon-neutral society where the green transition and digitalisation will strengthen Espoo’s economy and employment and improve our residents’ daily lives. Our development measures will especially focus on reducing the emissions from energy, transport and construction. The share of walking, cycling and public transport will be increased, and the use of zero-emission fuels will be promoted. In addition, we will strengthen the conditions for ending the use of coal by 2025. Different resident groups will be involved in tackling the climate challenge through new ways of participation.
Programme goal 3: The Espoo community and residents will act sustainably
Sustainable lifestyles and the introduction of sustainable solutions will be promoted in line with the Espoo Story within the Espoo community and in the daily lives of our residents. The city’s practices will be developed to actively support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals as well as our partnerships. The realisation of all dimensions of sustainable development and the climate goals will be promoted through the city’s operations and services, including education, economic and operational planning, urban development, investments, employment measures, procurement and communication. All Espoo residents will have good opportunities to make sustainable choices in their daily lives, and the importance of their choices will increase. We will support the adoption of new sustainable practices in people’s everyday lives by improving the conditions, through marketing and communication, and by planning and organising activities together with residents.
Programme goal 4: Espoo will be a model city of sustainable urban development
Urban development creates conditions for wellbeing and a smooth and safe daily life everywhere in Espoo. We encourage businesses as well as research and development partners to extensively participate in the development of the city. We will use new forms of internal and external cooperation in the functional development of different areas. Our development work will promote the introduction of smart, low-emission, circular economy-based urban solutions in accordance with the goals for the council term (council meeting on 25 October 2021), especially in Kera, the northern part of the Leppävaara centre, the area around the Kivenlahti metro station, Espoon keskus and the low-rise residential areas in northern and central Espoo. The ecosystem agreement will be utilised in promoting our development work. The entire Espoo community is responsible for maintaining and increasing biodiversity and nature’s benefits. We will continue to promote timber construction.
Programme goal 5: Espoo will be the best developer partner for sustainable and smart urban solutions
In line with our strategy, we will fully open up urban development as an environment for research and development. Through our programme work, we will strengthen the city as a development platform and promote the allocation of EU funding for recovery and the new programming period to Espoo. The city will bring stability to the ecosystem work and ensure that the work is targeted at the most important development challenges in terms of the economy and development of the area. Our development activities will boost the international competitiveness of new solutions and support the growth of the local economy, innovation activities and tax revenue. Partnerships and the development of the research and development infrastructure will support the creation of new sustainable solutions and innovations that utilise digitalisation. Within its networks, Espoo will be an active partner that offers added value.