In spring 2022, Turku was selected in the EU Mission “100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities”. All cities selected for the mission must conclude a Climate City Contract with the European Commission, which commits them to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. The 100 cities selected in the Mission programme pave the way to enable all cities in Europe to reach climate neutrality by 2050.
Local, national and EU authorities are involved in the Climate City Contracts. They also offer residents a new role as drivers of change. Examples of measures to be taken under the Contracts include new urban planning, sustainable urban mobility solutions and residential areas that use energy in a climate positive manner.
As a sub-goal, Turku has invited companies and other actors in the region to sign their own climate commitments as part of the Climate City Contract.
TYS answered the call and is among the signees of the new commitment. By signing the commitment, Turku’s climate partners declare that they are committed not only to realising the Carbon neutral Turku 2029 goal and reducing emissions, but also to communicating about climate actions in their organisation, setting an example for climate work and participating in the activities of the Turku Climate Team.
Twenty-two actors in total from the Turku region signed up: Arkea Oy, Bayer Oy, Blue Industry Park Oy, Forum Marinum Foundation, Lounais-Suomen Jätehuolto Oy, Meyer Turku, Turku University of Applied Sciences, Turku Energia, Turun Kaupunginteatteri Oy, Turku Science Park Oy, the Lutheran Church in Turku and Kaarina, Turun kaupunkiliikenne Oy, Turun Satama Oy, Turun seudun puhdistamo Oy, Turun Vesihuolto Oy, Turun Seudun Vesi Oy, University of Turku, Turku Student Village Foundation TYS, TVT Asunnot Oy, Varsinais-Suomen Asumisoikeus Oy, the wellbeing services county of Southwest Finland and Visit Turku Archipelago Oy.
Turku intends to create more commitments in the coming years and to involve an increasing number of actors in building a carbon-neutral Turku. The City of Turku has already reduced climate emissions by more than half, for example by investing in renewable energy and circular economy solutions and is thus still on schedule in terms of reducing emissions.
Further reading: Turku and its partners are committed to climate work (turku.fi)
Article image: Nick Bakker, Turku AMK
