Nature-Positive Turku 2030
Turku’s nearby forests, traditional rural habitats, archipelago nature and parks are an important part of residents’ everyday lives and the city’s attractiveness. As the city continues to grow, it is essential to ensure that vibrant urban nature is preserved for future generations and other species alike.
The goal is that by 2030, the city’s activities will strengthen biodiversity rather than diminish it. This work is guided, among other things, by the City of Turku’s Biodiversity Programme, which helps safeguard local habitats and species.
A growing city also requires new nature-based solutions. These are being developed, for example, in the Skanssi Biodiversity Park and in new habitats established across different parts of Turku.
What does a nature-positive future look like?
In a nature-positive Turku, diverse urban and local nature, as well as the region’s carbon sinks, have increased. The city’s resilience to the effects of climate change has been strengthened, and the functioning of ecosystems is safeguarded. The region’s natural wellbeing improves residents’ quality of life and mitigates the effects of weather phenomena. Turku’s appeal and vitality are increasing for both residents and businesses, as the city is recognised internationally as a place where natural and recreational areas support wellbeing, sustainable mobility and residents’ health.
However, work for nature will not end in the target year of 2030. Nature positivity will remain an active part of the city’s long-term goals.
Strategies, programmes and commitments guiding nature conservation work
Nature conservation work is planned and carried out through extensive collaboration at both international and national levels. Various city units and Turku’s extensive network of partners are involved in this work.
- Turku’s city strategy sets out the city’s long-term objectives. According to the strategy, Turku will strengthen biodiversity and promote sustainable urban development.
- Turku’s Nature-Positive Roadmap sets out the measures through which Turku will progress towards becoming nature-positive by 2030.
- The Climate Plan (2029) guides Turku towards carbon neutrality and adaptation to climate change. The plan views the strengthening of biodiversity and the safeguarding of carbon sinks as an important part of climate action.
- Turku’s Biodiversity Programme guides the city’s work to halt the loss of nature and strengthen biodiversity. The programme includes concrete measures relating, for example, to nature management, nature conservation areas, consideration of species and the creation of new habitats.
- Baltic Sea Action Programme, the Baltic Sea Challenge, brings together the cities’ actions to improve the state of the Baltic Sea and aquatic environments.
- The Forest Plan guides the management and use of city-owned forests. Its aim is to reconcile biodiversity, recreational use, carbon sinks and the long-term management of forests.
- The Green City Accord is a Europe-wide urban initiative in which cities commit to improving the state of the environment. Turku monitors and develops its activities from the perspectives of, amongst other things, biodiversity, the aquatic environment, air quality, noise abatement and the circular economy
- Cities With Nature is a global network of cities where cities share their experiences and solutions for promoting biodiversity. By joining the network, Turku commits to supporting the achievement of international nature conservation targets at a local level.
- The 10 Cities’ Nature Declaration reaffirms the shared commitment of Finnish cities to safeguarding biodiversity and to achieving national and international biodiversity targets.
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Europe’s first biodiversity park, which is being developed on the Skanssi ridge and in the surrounding area, is a fine example of ambitious conservation work.