Espoo deepens cooperation with climate partners as part of EU’s Pilot Cities Programme
Espoo will strengthen ties with its climate partners in order to reach the goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2030. At an executive meeting between the city and its climate partners on the 18th of January 2024, the directions and opportunities for further cooperation were discussed. At the end of January, Espoo was also selected to participate in the Pilot Cities Programme related to the European Mission for 100 Climate-neutral and Smart Cities by 2030, which offers opportunities to expand and deepen local partnerships as one of the 26 forerunner European cities.
In autumn 2023, the City of Espoo and 25 partners signed a commitment to work towards a carbon-neutral city by 2030. The commitment is part of Espoo’s Climate City Contract in the EU Mission, and includes a wide range of companies, research institutes and universities from Espoo’s award-winning innovation community.
A meeting between city and partner executives addressed the challenges and opportunities of climate work in a growing city
The City of Espoo invited climate partners to discuss the joint carbon-neutrality journey at Gumböle Manor on 18th of January. The purpose of the gathering was to engage in discussions with the partners regarding their aspirations and requirements concerning climate collaboration. The discussion was lively, and the climate partners’ speeches highlighted concrete measures to achieve Espoo’s carbon-neutrality goal in the areas of energy, transport and circular economy. The common view on the necessity and long-term nature of climate work was further strengthened.
The Espoo Climate Community pilot project highlights the importance of cooperation
As a pilot city for the European Mission for 100 Climate-neutral and Smart Cities, Espoo focuses on strengthening climate partnerships within the innovation community. The two-year EU-funded project will develop collaboration, residents’ opportunities to participate in climate action, and climate-investment competence and data together with Europe’s largest non-profit climate business network – Climate Leadership Coalition (CLC). The project will start on 1 May 2024. Before that, partner cooperation will be continued through expert meetings.
Ambitious climate work is an opportunity for the Espoo community
Participating in the collaboration are operators from the transportation, energy, construction, and circular economy sectors, whose efforts are expected to substantially decrease emissions originating in the Espoo area throughout the current decade. The companies, universities and research institutes develop research-based high-tech solutions that will also help reduce emissions elsewhere in Europe and globally. At the same time, sustainable growth, vitality, well-being and jobs are being created in Finland and Espoo. N
More information
26 Cities to Receive Additional EU Support on Climate-neutral Journey(external link, opens in a new window) (23/1/2024)
Espoo and 25 partners work together towards carbon neutrality(4/10/2023)
Contact
Climate partnerships: Elina Wanne, Development Manager, elina.wanne@espoo.fi
Pilot Cities Programme: Niina Nousjärvi, Development Manager, niina.nousjarvi@espoo.fi