The conference seeks agreement on measures for limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees above the pre-industrial levels.
Sufficient means and expertise for reducing emissions already exist, and many cities, including Turku, have already managed to reduce their emissions in accordance with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Mayor Minna Arve will give several speeches at the Climate Change Conference, focusing particularly on the innovative climate work of cities and their strong climate objectives.
– I am going to the UN Climate Change Conference to affirm the dedication and competence that cities have in climate work. The Turku City Council has unanimously set strong climate targets, which have been tightened even further this year. The leading companies and the higher education institutions in our region have also set carbon neutrality targets and invest heavily in low-carbon business and innovation, Mayor Arve says.
Turku tightens its emission goals even further
The City of Turku has already reduced emissions in its area by 55% from the 1990 levels and has also achieved a significantly low level of emissions per inhabitant. Despite this, Turku tightened its emissions targets even further this year, as the assessment of the city’s climate plan concluded that achieving carbon neutrality by 2029 requires a reduction of at least 90% from the 1990 levels.
–Many cities around the world have taken larger measures than their respective countries towards carbon neutrality. Turku aims to be an internationally recognised and well-known pioneer and developer of sustainable solutions and expertise. Our example is of great interest around the world. For example, our new climate budgeting model has drawn lots of attention, Mayor Arve says.
Turku carries out climate work in accordance with common international principles and is active in ICLEI, a global sustainable development organisation of cities. Minna Arve is a Vice President of ICLEI. ICLEI also coordinates the participation of cities and regions in the UN climate process.
–Interurban cooperation and, of course, cooperation of cities with states and other operators have given new hope to the global outlook on climate. The 1.5 degree goal of the Paris Agreement can be achieved, one city and region at a time, Mayor Arve emphasises.
Climate work is based on the best available knowledge
One important event in the conference is the public summary of an assessment report for urban policymakers by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), scheduled for the evening of 11 November. Mayor Arve will speak at the event, representing a city of the global north. Cities will also be represented in a speech given by Manuel Araujo, Mayor of the city of Quelimane, Mozambique.
Risto Veivo, Climate Director of Turku, worked as an invited expert in the preparing of the report.
–The guiding principle of Turku's climate work is to base our policies and measures on the best available information. It’s wonderful that the global information resources of the IPCC have now been compiled and structured specifically for the needs of cities, Veivo rejoices.
Turku is the only city in the Finnish delegation at the Climate Change Conference. Turku is represented by Mayor Arve, Climate Director Veivo and Senior Specialist Karoliina Kariluoma. The University of Turku is also represented in the Finnish delegation.