For example, Osuuskauppa Hämeenmaa, a climate partner of City of Lahti and a participant in the EU Mission climate contract, is presented in the report as a concrete example of collaboration.
– We have a long history in sustainability work, and cooperation with the City of Lahti was a natural next step, says Customer Relations Director Jaana Järvenselkä in the report.
The From Theme Year to the Future report also highlights the Lahti GEM electrification of mobility cluster, FC Lahti’s sustainability and environmental initiatives, and the goals of the world’s first carbon-neutral ice hockey team, the Lahti Pelicans.
“The Green Capital status has been significant”
In Lahti, the city’s strategy and reputation are closely intertwined: without an environmentally themed strategy, there would be no strong environmental reputation—and without reputation-building, the strategy wouldn’t been rooted as well.
– If you compare Lahti to other cities of similar size, I would assume that Lahti’s reputation as an environmental city is more widely recognized than the profiles launched by its peer cities, estimates Jarkko Majava, Development Manager at the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities.
– Discussions about investment decisions often start with the region’s image: What kind of perception can we create of the area? In this, the Green Capital status has been significant, as well as the overall sustainability theme too, says Isto Vanhamäki, Director of Business Environment Development at LADEC.
Read more: Lahti – European Green Capital 2021Lahti aims to become
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1.
Climate neutral as the first major city in Finland.
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2030
Nature positive by 2030.
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2050
Circular city of sustainable consumption by 2050.
Where did we start?
Lahti began its efforts towards environmental goals fifty years ago and the ambitious development work is still ongoing. Our story as an environmentally conscious city began with the clean-up of Lake Vesijärvi in the 1970s. Since then, we have made numerous environmental acts, both large and small, to become one of the most progressive green cities in Europe.
Our work continues with groundbreaking and bold initiatives in close cooperation with universities, educational institutions, businesses, NGOs and citizens.
Niko Kyynäräinen, Mayor of LahtiStrategic choices and systematic work have made us an internationally recognised leader in sustainable urban development. Our task now is to ensure that this trend continues in the future.
Lahti Climate Program 2023-2030 aims to reduce production-based CO2 emissions by 80% compared to the level in 1990. The remaining 20% will be sequestered by means of carbon sinks or offset using internationally accepted methods.
Inclusion and communication
Environmental work demands the participation and inclusion of residents and stakeholders. Therefore, inclusion is a key part of Lahti’s environmental work. The city strives to achieve inclusion through joint development, transparent decision-making and collaborative networks, among other means. Residents can get involved in experimenting with sustainable solutions, influencing environmental decisions and promoting biodiversity.
Find out more about the campaigns (in Finnish)Jessika Roswall European Commissioner for the Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular EconomyI encourage everyone to visit this exceptional city in the North, you will be able to experience hiking in the close-by nature, to swim in clean lakes, to breathe clean air and to enjoy the quality of life a green city has to offer.