Espoo’s climate emissions decreased significantly – further efforts still needed to achieve carbon neutrality goal

Espoo’s greenhouse gas emissions have fallen significantly over the past ten years, even as the city’s population has grown. Climate emissions generated in the area have already decreased by 33% overall and 64% per capita since 1990.

To support the monitoring of Espoo’s climate goal, the projection of future emissions has been updated. According to the updated scenario, Espoo’s climate emissions are expected to decrease by approximately 60% by 2030 under current measures. This means that the current trajectory is not yet sufficient to reach the set target of an 80% reduction in Espoo’s climate emissions from 1990 to 2030.

“Espoo has succeeded in reducing its emissions rapidly. This shows that we are heading in the right direction, but achieving carbon neutrality in a growing city by 2030 will require new measures, especially in transport. We are bringing forward the mid-term review of the climate roadmap so that the new measures have time to take effect,” says Mayor Kai Mykkänen.

The Climate Neutral Espoo 2030 roadmap will be updated in spring 2026 to reflect the updated projection of future emissions and the assessment of Espoo’s carbon sinks expected to be completed earlier in the year. At the same time, additional measures supporting the emission reduction target will be prepared for decision-making.

The 2026 city budget includes a new measure – the expansion of paid parking – which is expected to reduce transport emissions. Overall, 12.8% of the city’s 2026 operating expenditure (EUR 243 million) and 62.2% of investments (EUR 250 million) are allocated to measures that mitigate climate change and promote climate adaptation. The largest share consists of transport-related measures: municipal contributions to public transport (HSL), rail projects such as the West Metro and the Espoo Rail Line, infrastructure investments in district centres and public transport connections, the promotion of cycling and walking, and increasing the use of renewable energy sources in transport. 

Emissions from building heating are decreasing rapidly in Espoo. Together with the energy company Fortum, the City of Espoo has committed to reducing district heating emissions to zero by the end of the decade. Emissions from district heating have already decreased by 38% since 1990, and they are projected to fall to zero by 2030. About 75% of Espoo residents live in buildings with district heating, which makes the transition to low-emission heating methods particularly significant. The use of coal in district heating production ended in Espoo in April 2024.

In the coming years, the share of transport in climate emissions will increase, even though the electrification of Espoo’s vehicle fleet is progressing faster than the national average. By 2030, transport emissions are projected to account for around half of the emissions generated in Espoo.

The second-largest source of emissions will be electricity consumption, which is projected to account for approximately one third of emissions in 2030. Electricity consumption includes electricity used within the Espoo area, for example by households, businesses and electric vehicles. Data centre investments and the electrification of heating reduce climate emissions generated in Espoo, but they increase electricity consumption, resulting in higher emissions from electricity use.

Espoo’s emissions are monitored annually as part of HSY’s monitoring of emissions in the capital region. In addition, Espoo’s own emission reduction scenarios are updated at least once a year. Espoo carried out its own scenario calculation for the first time in 2025, improving data accuracy and enabling regular monitoring. The latest data is updated in the Espoo Climate Watch and its scenario tool, allowing both decision-makers and residents to follow progress toward the climate goal.

• Espoo’s emission reduction scenarios(external link, opens in a new window)
• Espoo Climate Watch(external link, opens in a new window): Check out the city’s climate actions and monitor their progress and impact
• Espoo’s climate goals
• Espoo’s greenhouse gas emissions 1990–2024
• Climate budget(external link, opens in a new window): Information about Espoo’s operating expenditure and investments promoting climate change mitigation and adaptation (in Finnish)

Update of the Climate Neutral Espoo 2030 roadmap: Karoliina Isoaho, Project Manager

Emission scenarios: Liisa Kallio, Environmental Specialist