Espoo decides on a roadmap to achieve carbon neutrality
Espoo has gathered the Carbon Neutral Espoo 2030 roadmap, which illustrates the cooperation between the city, its partners, and residents in achieving the carbon neutrality goal. The roadmap includes actions to achieve an 80% reduction in emissions and indicators to monitor progress.
Carbon neutrality by 2030 is possible
Carbon neutrality is one of the key goals in the Espoo-story, city’s strategy. Espoo is reducing its emissions on a rapid schedule and aims to achieve at least 80% emission reductions from the 1990 level by the year 2030. The remaining 20% can be sequestered in carbon sinks or otherwise compensated.
Espoo has already managed to reverse climate emissions despite strong population growth. Emissions in the Espoo have decreased by 14% from 1990 until 2022, while the population has increased by around 130,000 people. In per capita terms, emissions will be less than half of 1990 levels. In 2022, Espoo had the lowest per capita emissions in the Helsinki metropolitan area and the second lowest compared to the 21 largest Finnish cities. The biggest emission reductions have been made in heat production.
"We are already well advanced in climate work and together we can solve the remaining challenges. Our strength in Espoo is the unique community that has the skills, ambition and courage to work on climate action. The Espoo community companies, universities and research institutes are developing research-based, high-tech solutions that will help reduce emissions both in Espoo and globally," says Mayor of Espoo Jukka Mäkelä.
The burning of coal stopped in April, and residents of Espoo are moving more sustainably than before
The Carbon Neutral Espoo 2030 roadmap describes Espoo's climate measures and indicators for monitoring progress. The adopted measures have also been compiled in Espoo Climate Watch(external link, opens in a new window).
In the area of Espoo, emissions are mainly generated in energy and transport. In both sectors, significant steps have been taken towards the climate goal and determined work will continue.
"Espoo has been at the forefront of reducing emissions in the energy sector through its activities and partner cooperation. Fortum has been an important partner for Espoo in promoting carbon neutrality. It is excellent news that Fortum stopped using coal in district heating ahead of schedule last week," says Jukka Mäkelä.
In recent years, the energy sector has delivered the most significant emission reductions. In addition to cooperation with Fortum, other renewable and carbon-neutral energy, such as phasing out of oil heating and investments in solar panels both in Espoo-owned buildings and the Espoo area reduce climate emissions. The city itself already uses emission-free electricity.
In addition, Espoo has invested and will continue to invest in sustainable transport. Public transport in the city of Espoo has developed significantly with the extension of the western metro, Länsimetro, and the opening of the light rail line 15. The next step is the Espoo Rail Line.
"Solutions are being sought for transport and infrastructure throughout the city area. The emission reduction target requires both an increase in the share of sustainable transport modes and a shift away from fossil fuels. The city is growing along the railways and the latest HSL mobility surveys show that people in Espoo are walking and using public transport more than before. The figures do not yet reflect the impact of the light rail line or the future Espoo Rail Line on sustainable transport," says Olli Isotalo the Director of Urban Environment.
Already 20% of Espoo's total car share, and 65% of the cars registered for the first time last year, are electric cars or rechargeable hybrids, and the figures have been growing significantly in recent years. The positive trend is continuously being promoted. The cycling promotion programme will also be updated.
In addition, Espoo is preparing a new city-wide master plan, which goes beyond the Climate Roadmap to 2060. On 13 March 2023, the City Council approved the objectives of the master plan, including sustainable city growth, climate smartness, improvement of transport connections, general pleasantness, and proximity to nature.
In addition to local climate emissions, Espoo also aims to reduce emissions from consumption. Espoo is participating in the development of the calculation of consumption emissions and is taking measures to reduce consumption emissions. For example, the aim is to reduce climate emissions throughout the life cycle of construction.
Espoo is a European pioneer in climate action
In Espoo, climate work is part of a broader effort to achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a frontrunner. For Espoo's innovation community, businesses and operators, the green and digital transition brings new opportunities. Growing demand for low-carbon products and services creates jobs, exports, economic growth and prosperity.
Pioneering work in the cities is needed to achieve Finland's 2035 and the EU's 2050 carbon neutrality goals. The Mission Label awarded to Espoo by the European Commission in the spring of 2024 acknowledges Espoo's broad commitment to climate action and strengthens the Espoo community's position as a forerunner in the green transition. The Commission has awarded the label to 33 European climate pioneers.
Climate work is done by the entire Espoo community
The Carbon Neutral Espoo 2030 Roadmap has been put together in a broad cross-administrative collaboration, and with partners. In addition, the roadmap builds on the Sustainable Energy Climate Action Plan (SECAP) published in 2019, the Sustainable Espoo Programme and the latest information on emission scenarios with future measures, refined with an external consultant.
The main principles of the Roadmap were presented to the Council in 2022, at the same time as the 2023 budget was decided. The City Board returned the roadmap to the preparation in December 2023. By the City Board's decision, emission reduction estimates, indicators, their current values and target levels, and selected additional actions needed to achieve Espoo's 2030 carbon neutrality target were added to the roadmap measures. The updated roadmap was submitted for comments to the council groups, the Youth Council, Elderly Council and Council for the Disabled in the spring. The implementation of the roadmap will be monitored and if carbon neutrality is not achieved by 2030, possible additional measures will be prepared for decision, if necessary.
The Carbon Neutral Espoo 2030 Roadmap will be reviewed by the City Board on 13 May 2024.
More information
Carbon Neutral Espoo 2030(external link, opens in a new window) (attachment, in Finnish)
City Boards Agenda 13.5.2024 (external link, opens in a new window)(in Finnish)
Kaupunginhallitus palautti valmisteluun Hiilineutraali Espoo 2030 -tiekartan joulukuussa 2023
Kaupunginhallituksen 18.12.2023 kokouksen pöytäkirja(external link, opens in a new window)
The city board returned the Carbon Neutral Espoo 2030 road map to preparation in December 2023
Minutes of the 18 December 2023 meeting(external link, opens in a new window) (in Finnish)
Espoo.fi news 7 November 2023: The Carbon Neutral Espoo 2030 road map has been compiled - Espoo is on the right path towards the goal (in Finnish)
Espoo.fi: Espoo’s climate goals
Espoo.fi: Sustainable Espoo development programme