Lahti ranks second lowest in carbon emissions among 22 Finnish cities, based on a comparison of residents’ consumption-based greenhouse gas emissions. Only Tampere reported lower per capita emissions.
In 2024, the average emissions of Lahti residents amounted to 7.4 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per person—slightly higher than the 7.34 tonnes in 2022. According to Environmental Coordinator Laura Matkala, the minor increase is primarily due to updated calculation methods that more accurately reflect household consumption. Actual increases were seen, for example, in district heating emissions. In contrast, emissions from construction decreased due to a slowdown in building activity.
Matkala emphasises that long-term monitoring is crucial for identifying genuine trends beyond short-term fluctuations.
Everyday choices, such as diet and the lifespan of clothing, significantly influence personal carbon footprints. Replacing beef with plant-based proteins can reduce the climate impact of a single meal by up to 90%. Doubling the lifespan of garments can halve their associated emissions.
The emissions data is part of the national Kulma project, led by Sitowise and the Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE), which complements regional emissions monitoring and offers a broader view of municipal carbon footprints.