Nature-loving Espoo residents want to protect the environment

In the autumn of 2022, a survey was conducted to examine the environmental attitudes and behaviour of Espoo residents. The survey was also carried out in the other capital region municipalities (Helsinki, Vantaa and Kauniainen). A total of 613 Espoo residents responded to the survey. 

Espoo residents are environmentally aware and concerned about climate change and global environmental problems, such as changing weather conditions and the extinction of animal species. Residents are particularly worried about the increase in heatwaves and storms. Biodiversity erosion and the loss of local green spaces are also important concerns. Most people in Espoo believe that climate change is mainly caused by human activity and that their own actions have an impact on climate change. More than half of the respondents do their best to live in an environmentally friendly way, and almost half are anxious about climate change. 

 

“Espoo actively combats climate change and has set the ambitious goal of being carbon-neutral by 2030. Climate actions are carried out in all city sectors. You can follow these actions through Climate Watch(external link, opens in a new window) launched last year,” says Mira Soini, Head of Nature and Environmental Information. 

Local nature is important to Espoo residents, and 85% say they spend time in local parks or nature at least once a week. People in Espoo appreciate natural forests and diverse natural areas. People do not want green spaces to be reduced even to safeguard the city’s growth potential. Espoo residents estimate the state of the environment to be generally good. Out of all the options given, they estimate the cleanliness of water areas to be the poorest. 

Local residents feel that they have minimal opportunities to influence the city’s environmental choices and that participating in environmental planning in the city is difficult. Only about one in ten feels that they can have sufficient influence on environmental issues in their neighbourhood. Residents are not familiar with the City of Espoo’s environmental policy, and only a small minority know how a city resident can have their say on environmental planning. The city should provide more information on environmental issues and the ways in which residents can participate. 

Espoo residents do not want the city to impose measures that would make driving more difficult, such as congestion charges or raised parking fees. However, when presented with measures that would improve the sustainability of transport, respondents preferred the promotion of public transport, cycling and pedestrian traffic. The promotion of low-emission cars through taxation also received significant support. 

A total of 80% of respondents own a car, but 38% travel to work or school by public transport all year round. In addition, the popularity of electric cars is increasing, and 61% of Espoo residents are considering purchasing one. Around one third of the respondents are also interested in car sharing. 

Making the use of public transport and cycling easier would encourage Espoo residents to choose these options more often. Half of the respondents would use public transport more if it were cheaper and more efficient. Similarly, almost half of them would cycle more if the cycling conditions were improved. Possible improvements include better winter maintenance of cycle paths and making it possible to travel with a bicycle on public transport. 

The majority of Espoo residents would be prepared to make an economic contribution to environmental protection, and as many as three out of four would be prepared to pay additional taxes to fund environmental protection. Investing in water protection and nature conservation was perceived as especially important, while noise abatement received the least support. 

In general, energy-saving measures, such as washing full loads of laundry and reducing the use of hot water, are popular. Many people also do their best to avoid food waste. About one third of Espoo residents prefer vegetarian food. The circular economy has yet to gain popularity; only about one fifth prefer to purchase, borrow or rent second-hand goods. One fourth avoid air travel for environmental reasons. 

“To solve environmental problems such as climate change and loss of biodiversity, we need the entire Espoo community – the city and its residents, businesses and organisations. Espoo wants everyone to be able to have an impact on their local environment and find their own ways to make sustainable choices in their daily lives,” says Helena Kyrki. 

Read more on Espoo’s survey results in the Eetvartti publication (in Finnish): Eetvartti, Espoon toimintaympäristökatsaus 2/2023(external link, opens in a new window)  

Press release and the report: Pääkaupunkiseudun asukkaiden asenteet ympäristömyönteisiä | Helsingin kaupunki(external link, opens in a new window) 

Helena Kyrki, Manager of Sustainable Development, City of Espoo 

helena.kyrki@espoo.fi