The City of Turku is aiming to become carbon neutral by 2029. Turku’s goal is to develop itself in a way where all Turku residents can make sustainable everyday life choices – together, we can achieve a more sustainable future for everyone!
The carbon footprint of households in Turku is approximately 8.75 tonnes of CO2e per resident (2022), which is slightly less than in our reference cities. While we're heading in the right direction, this figure needs to be reduced by a third within this decade if we want to achieve a more sustainable level of consumption.
It is up to the City to ensure that the realisation of a more sustainable way of life is not hindered by a lack of infrastructure or services. Turku offers its residents renewable energy, low-carbon transportation options, and energy-efficient housing solutions.
Most emissions are generated in everyday life, so the daily choices made by Turku’s residents play a vital role in Turku's sustainability efforts. Housing and transportation account for around half of all emissions, while the other half is divided nearly equally between goods, services, and food. Sustainable choices often increase your health and well-being, and they can be lighter on your wallet as well. Can you identify any areas where you could make an impact in your everyday life?
Housing
As Turku continues to grow, we want to invest in a climate-friendly urban structure. This means focusing on e.g. energy efficiency, renewable energy, and improving the conditions for walking, cycling, and public transport.
The reduction in Turku’s emissions is especially linked to the reduced use of fossil fuels in district heating and the increased production of emission-free electricity. Today, in 2025, nearly 90% of Turku Energia’s district heating is produced from renewable energy sources, and we aim to reach 100% by 2029.
The choices you make play a crucial role, as housing emissions account for around a fourth of the emissions from households in Turku.
The keys to climate-friendly housing can be found in reasonably sized accommodations, where you live, and the energy efficiency and heating method of your home. Where you live affects whether you can walk, cycle, or use public transport to reach your destination.
Many important decisions are made already at the construction stage, or when selecting or renovating your home, but you can also reduce your emissions in other ways. For example, lowering your room temperature, sealing your windows, and using water and electricity efficiently all help save energy. Recycling and sorting your waste are also important parts of sustainable housing.
Transportation
Road transport is the largest source of emissions in the Turku region. Improving the conditions for sustainable urban mobility – i.e. walking, cycling and public transport – is essential for achieving our climate objectives.
By 2029, Turku aims to halve its road and street traffic emissions from the level recorded in 2015. We’re still a long way from achieving this goal, and we will need everyone’s help: how could you examine and, if necessary, change your everyday transportation habits?
Föli, the public transport provider in the Turku Region, is continuously increasing the number of low-emission electric buses in its fleet. In 2024, Föli had 70 electric buses in use, and this figure continues to increase.
Think about how you move in your day-to-day life and how you could reduce your emissions. Did you know that Turku is increasing its use of electric buses and improving its cycling routes so that bicycles can be used all year round?
Public transport is a climate-friendly way of getting where you need to go. When several people travel in the same vehicle, they produce less emissions than when driving alone. Many Turku residents could also opt to cycle, as over 90% of the local population lives less than 30 minutes away from Turku Market Square.
Residents and visitors regularly use the highly popular Föli bikes, which are available at more than 200 bicycle stations across the City. Föli also offers electrically powered cargo bikes.
Food
The City of Turku has outsourced the catering services for its schools, day-care centres, social welfare and health care services, and other such areas. The City steers its catering services towards lower-emission options through the continuous development of its procurement contracts.
Turku is a pioneering climate actor in Finland when it comes to the food it provides to its day-care centres and schools, and it has spent years developing low-emission menu options for every need.
The City’s catering service procurements follow Motiva's criteria for responsibly produced food. Turku also pays close attention to the transparency of its supply chains, and, as a Fair Trade City, remains committed to increasing the ethicality and responsibleness of its procurements.
You can reduce your carbon footprint by thinking carefully about what you eat. One effective method is committing to a vegetarian diet or increasing your vegetable consumption, and both of these options are backed up by national nutrition recommendations.
Avoiding food waste and favouring locally produced food, organic products, and seasonal options also help promote climate-friendly eating habits. And if you opt to go outdoors for your mushrooms, berries, fish and other such food items, you’ll treat yourself and help the climate.
Services and goods
Turku is a Finnish pioneer in the development of methods for calculating greenhouse gas emissions from consumption. The procurement of goods and services accounts for around a fifth of the local population’s annual emissions.
Health care, education, and many other services are essential parts of life that we shouldn’t need to compromise on. However, when it comes to consumption, we recommend recycling and repairing your current possessions before making any purchases.
Turku wants to encourage its residents to make sustainable choices through its own example and communications. For example, over the last few years, the City has organised its popular “Climate Coffee Break” events where local actors can share ideas and discuss different solutions. These events are part of the activities of the City of Turku’s Climate Team.
Everyone in Turku can consume with care and invest in quality, durability, and repairability. A communal approach also supports sustainable consumption: when we share goods, spaces and carpools, arrange yard sales, and order products for multiple people, we reduce emissions and save money. Did you know that Turku offers excellent opportunities for second hand and vintage shopping?
The City of Turku encourages its residents to share their successes and challenges with everyday sustainability with their friends and neighbours. This way, you can receive tips that suit your current situation and even encourage others to make more sustainable choices.
Together, we can make Turku a truly carbon-neutral city! There are many ways to participate, For more information on different events and places where you can make a difference, visit the “How to participate and make an impact” page.
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