The City of Turku has a long history of engaging in ambitious climate work with local residents, companies and communities. This work is ongoing. Learn more about this climate work from the Strategy and Mayor’s Programme to the grassroots level.

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Carbon Neutral Turku 2029

Turku aims for carbon neutrality by 2029. After achieving this goal, the city’s activities will no longer have a warming effect on the climate. Turku is already looking beyond this goal, working to make the city’s operations such that they will have a cooling effect on the climate by 2035.

The climate work by Turku has already produced results. The city has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60% compared to levels in 1990. Of the twelve large cities in Finland, Turku has the lowest emissions per resident (emission data from 2022). 
 

A bar chart displaying Turku's GHG emission development in years 1990,2000 and 2008-2023, which shows significant reduction. Diagram also shows projections for target years 2025, 2029 and 2035, of which the remaining emissions in 2035 should be as low as 69 kilotons CO2e.
The figure shows the development of greenhouse gas emissions in Turku from 1990 to 2023 and the targets for 2029 and 2035. By 2023, emissions from the energy sector had decreased the most, but emissions from transport had decreased hardly at all. The target for carbon dioxide emissions in 2029 is 0.7 tonnes per resident. This part will be compensated to make Turku carbon neutral in 2029.

 

Climate action

Turku is working with other pioneers to mitigate and combat climate change. The city understands that climate work safeguards the preconditions for good life and brings competence, work and vitality. This is why Turku wants to grow and develop sustainably. The city’s extensive national and international networks, researched information and climate budget contribute to achieving its goals. 

The City of Turku will continue to reduce emissions by investing in:

  • renewable energy
  • sustainable urban structure
  • reinforcing carbon sinks
  • low-carbon mobility and
  • circular economy.
     

Much has already been done to promote carbon neutrality. In the future, it will be particularly important to improve the preconditions for walking, cycling and using public transport and to reduce car use and transition to low-emission vehicles. Road transport is currently the largest source of emissions in the region. 

Street view of a blossoming cherry tree with two yellow buses in the shade (Picture: Heikki Räisänen)
Buses meeting by a cherry tree.
Image: Heikki Räisänen

 

Mitigation and adaptation

Climate change is already becoming apparent in the weather conditions of Finland and Turku, even though the change is not dramatic yet. Monitoring data supports everyday observations of early migratory birds and rainy winters: the climate in Southwest Finland is warming and rainfall is increasing. That is why Turku is both mitigating the change and adapting to it. 

Read more about adaptation measures by Turku

Climate Plan as a road sign, climate report as a compass

The Climate Plan serves as a roadmap towards a carbon neutral Turku.  The plan follows the EU model for climate action and includes objectives and measures for 2021, 2025 and 2029 and a trajectory towards 2035. The annual climate report indicates how the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is progressing. In addition, environmental and nature values are at the core of both the Mayor’s Programme and the Turku City Strategy. Turku also invests significantly in climate action and environmental work.

Read more about the Turku climate plans and reports

Meeting goals through cooperation

Emission reductions can only be achieved in cooperation with local companies and communities as well as higher education institutions and city residents. 

In addition, Turku has a long history of climate and environmental work with international communities and other pioneering cities in the world. Turku is part of various international climate networks and has been included in the EU Mission 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities. The city has received international recognition for its climate work.  

Internationally recognised climate work

Turku bases its climate work on research-based information and actively participates in networks and forums where global goals are agreed.

Well-being and vitality

Turku also understands the positive impacts of climate action and environmental work on human well-being, the economy and the vitality of the region. For example, sustainable mobility solutions affect the comfort and safety of the urban environment and increase the attractiveness of the area. 

Turku has evidence that employment and the regional economy have already grown as a result of climate action. Decisive climate action and environmental work is used to build healthy, pleasant and climate-safe everyday life for everyone in Turku.
 

An aerial photo shows solar panels on the roof of a modern, white, plus-sign-shaped block of flats. (Picture: Turun ylioppilaskyläsäätiö)
The 516 solar panels on the roof of the Aitiopaikka building of the Turku Student Village Foundation produce more electricity than the property consumes each year.
Image: Turun ylioppilaskyläsäätiö

Contact information

Risto Veivo Climate director
Miika Meretoja Senior specialist