In a circular economy, natural resources are used in a sustainable manner, minimising emissions and waste. Materials and products are efficiently reused, refurbished and recycled.
The Turku Circular Economy Roadmap is a plan and operating model for 2021–2029. The roadmap contains both goals and measures to achieve carbon neutrality and resource wisdom.
The five focus areas of the roadmap
Five key areas of life were selected for the roadmap, the development of which will most efficiently take Turku towards resource wisdom. The focus areas including the respective goals:
In Turku and in the world at large, the majority of emissions result from the use and production of energy. Therefore, transitioning to renewable energy is an efficient way to mitigate climate change. The roadmap leads Turku towards a resource-wise energy system.
The roadmap includes three main energy-related goals for 2029:
- Controlling energy wisely, for example, by means of energy storage and demand-side flexibility to level out consumption spikes.
- More efficient waste heat recovery.
- Promoting the energy transition of communities and households. Residents and communities in the Turku Region will be offered information, services, and assistance to enhance energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy.
The roadmap shows the way to a resource-wise food system, i.e. the sustainable use of resources from field to dinner table. The primary objectives include balancing and closing the nutrient cycle, increasing the marketing of resource-wise food as well as shorter food supply chains.
The roadmap includes three main food-related goals for 2029:
- Promoting and developing resource-wisely produced ingredients and product markets. The goal is for professional kitchens and restaurants in the Turku Region to use locally sourced, resource-wisely produced ingredients and products. It requires developing competitive tendering in a way that promotes the procurement of sustainably produced raw materials.
- Short and sustainable food supply chains. This is supported by services, platforms and solutions that bring consumers and producers closer to each other, enabling, for example, ordering food directly from the producer.
- Canteens setting an example: Lunch restaurants and schools in the Turku Region offer a wide range of plant-based, resource-wisely produced tasty food. The carbon footprint and resource footprint of menus are monitored and reduced. The environmental load of food is reduced by replacing ingredients and meals with high carbon and/or resource footprints as well as by anticipating waste.
In a circular economy, the potential of water is utilised in many ways. Good examples include efficient water use, local recycling as well as recovering and utilising substances dissolved in water and the energy bound to it.
In regard to water, the roadmap includes four main goals for 2029:
- The resource-wise water system works. Water in the Turku Region (clean water, storm water, wastewater) is jointly managed and developed. This means, for example, standardising water systems between the region’s municipalities, industry and other actors.
- Investments in natural storm water management solutions, such as green structures, green belts, and natural streams, are made. This includes investing in technologies and innovative solutions, such as surfaces that are permeable to water and absorb water.
- Water is reused and recycled. Examples include mapping the options for reusing storm water and grey water, utilising storm water in urban green areas and sports parks, petrol stations (washing water) and housing cooperatives (landscaping, surfaces permeable to water).
- Water use and pollutants are better managed by providing information to residents, companies and communities. The goal is to increase understanding of how individual actions impact waterbodies and water management, as well as how everyone can prevent pollutants and waste from entering the water.
In a sustainable transport system, public transport, walking, and cycling create a mutually supportive network. The electrification of tram and bus traffic supports this development. In addition, new shared vehicles and other sharing-economy solutions enable low-emission transport options.
The roadmap includes four main transportation-related goals for 2029:
- Muscle-powered transportation gains popularity. The planning of walking and cycling routes in Turku considers not only the length of routes but also the recreational opportunities they offer. The quality and coverage of the cycling network is improved year-round.
- Shared vehicles and other shared transport services complement walking, cycling, and public transport. The advantages of shared use include freed parking space, lower transport costs, and new business opportunities.
- Goods are transported resource-wisely, i.e. in a low-emission and efficient way. The objective is zero-emission urban logistics and the seamless adoption of new transport technologies. The expertise of local companies in zero-emission maritime transport is extensively utilised.
- Tourism becomes resource-wise, making the Turku Region known for sustainable, low-emission and smooth travel options. Tourists can reach and experience the unique natural sites of the Turku archipelago through environmentally responsible travel and trip packages. Shared vehicles are easily available.
Growing Turku needs more housing, schools, day care centres and residential care homes. The positive experiences gleaned from sustainable construction projects should be adopted as policies in the entire industry. The city also possesses efficient measures to steer the construction industry in a more sustainable direction, including planning, building regulations and land allocation agreements.
The roadmap includes four main construction-related goals for 2029:
- The built environment is utilised longer and more diversely. Instead of constructing new buildings, premises should be renovated and unused premises should be repurposed. Premises and the infrastructure should be made flexibly available to various operators and public spaces should also be used for social and communal activities.
- The built environment promotes well-being and inclusion. The use of natural solutions, energy and water solutions, as well as resource-wise technologies in, e.g. schools, sports parks, and green areas, is increased. The solutions improve residents’ well-being, comfort, and loyalty to the area, increase natural diversity and save natural resources. The role of communities in developing areas and services is supported.
- The areas of resource-wise design point the way. They reinforce the expertise of the construction industry and provide examples of sustainable housing and living opportunities. The sites illustrate life cycle design in accordance with the circular economy, and, signposted by them, the criteria of resource wisdom are integrated in to decision-making and contract steering systems.
- Construction in accordance with material recycling and resource wisdom. Turku supports the development of the material markets through procurements and by making facilities available. Materials from demolished buildings are used in line with the principles of the circular economy. The reuse of building materials is developed together with industry operators to make the recycling and use of the materials easy for everyone throughout their life cycles.
These five focus areas are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and the consumption of natural resources. They also have a significant impact on the environment, economy, and well-being locally.
In addition to these focus areas, the roadmap identifies change factors that have specific impacts on the ability to meet the objectives of resource wisdom. It is of vital importance to get all Turku actors and residents on board – from students to companies and the industry.
Roadmap based on an international model
The Turku roadmap is based on an international model developed by ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability) jointly with other leading expert organisations of the world. The model covers the entire value chain, i.e. the journey of the product or service from design and manufacture to the end user. The circular economy framework comprises five strategies:
• Rethink
• Regenerate
• Reuse
• Reduce
• Recover
The 2029 roadmap was developed in cooperation by the City of Turku, the University of Turku, the Turku University of Applied Sciences, Turku Science Park Oy, the ELY Centre for Southwest Finland, Regional Council of Southwest Finland, Valonia, Lounais-Suomen Jätehuolto Oy, Sitra and ICLEI. In addition to informing the City of Turku’s own operations, the roadmap shows the way for actors in the Turku Region.
In terms of the circular economy, Turku collaborates with, for example, the following international networks:
- ICLEI Circulars
- ICLEI Green Circular Cities Coalition
- IURC - International Urban and Regional Cooperation
The goals and solutions of the roadmap are aligned with Turku’s other plans to curb climate change and promote biodiversity. They include:
- Turku City Strategy
- Turku City Climate Plan 2029
- Baltic Sea Challenge, Biodiversity Programme (LUMO)
- Southwest Finland Circular Economy Roadmap
The materials produced in the Circular Turku project are listed below.
- EQUITABLE TRANSITIONS GUIDEBOOK Local tools for fair and inclusive sustainability programs
- City-level circular economy interventions to protect and enhance biodiversity
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