Mitigating and adapting to rapidly progressing climate change requires decisive action that is based on good plans and the latest data. It is also important to monitor the achievement of targets and take corrective action if necessary. This is exactly what is being done in Turku.
We take climate targets into account in all key documents guiding the development of Turku. The most important documents guiding climate work are the Climate Plan and the climate report.
Adopted in 2018, the Climate Plan serves as a roadmap towards a carbon-neutral Turku in 2029 and includes a planned trajectory until 2035. The plan is updated every council term, meaning every four years. The annual climate report indicates whether the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is progressing at the desired rate.
Documents guiding the climate work
In addition to the Climate Plan and the climate report, climate work in Turku is guided by the City Strategy, financial plan, Mayor’s Programme and the Biodiversity Programme (LUMO).
Climate Plan 2029
The Climate Plan guides Turku towards carbon neutrality by 2029. The plan follows the European Union’s common model for climate action. The model includes measures for both climate change mitigation and adaptation. The emission reduction targets for cities using the model are higher than what is required by the Union.
The Climate Plan was drawn up in 2018 and is updated for each council term. The latest update is from 2022. The plan will be updated next in 2025 and processed by the council in spring 2026.
The Climate Plan includes milestones for reducing emissions. The values are compared to levels in 1990.
| Year | Reduction | Situation |
| 2021 | – 50 % | Target exceeded |
| 2025 | – 75 % | Will be achieved |
| 2029 | – 90 % | Remaining 10% will be compensated |
| 2029– | Climate-positive city | Turku sequesters more carbon emissions than it produces. |
In 2023, Turku had already reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 63 % compared to the levels in 1990. However, the journey towards becoming carbon neutral and subsequently a climate-positive city still requires a great deal of effort. In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, carbon sequestration in vegetation and soil needs to be increased, and compensation measures must be developed and implemented. The residents of Turku are increasingly needed to join the climate work.
Important actions in the Climate Plan include:
- increasing renewable energy
- promoting low-carbon mobility
- developing a sustainable urban structure
- increasing biodiversity and carbon sinks.
Climate report
The annual climate report for Turku indicates whether the city is progressing fast enough towards the 2029 carbon neutrality target. Using the report, the city council monitors the implementation of the Climate Plan. Turku also reports to the European Union every two years on the progress of its climate objectives.
The latest climate report for Turku was published in September 2025.
An annual calculation of Turku's greenhouse gas emissions is published alongside the climate report. The 2025 report includes preliminary data on emissions for 2024.
Financial plan and climate budget
Turku published its climate budget for the second time in 2024. The climate budget applies the EU Sustainable Finance Taxonomy framework to assess the sustainability of investments over €1 million. This ensures that investments, such as those in construction and infrastructure, align with the city’s climate goals. The budget outlines climate-supportive investments across the city group totaling €1.7 billion for the years 2025–2030.
Turku’s climate budget has been prepared up to the year 2030, as it forms the basis for the investment plan of Turku’s Climate City Contract. This investment plan, aligned with the EU Mission framework, sets out the necessary actions and financing required to achieve climate neutrality by 2030.
The climate budget is included as part of the City of Turku’s operational plan:
City Strategy and Mayor’s Programme
The Turku City Strategy sets long-term objectives for the city. It describes what is most important for the residents of Turku and what is specifically prioritised. The achievement of the objectives is monitored with a comprehensive set of indicators.
The mayor’s programme guides the implementation of the strategy during each council term. The goal of the mayor's programme “Turku into the New Century” for 2025–2029 council term is to ensure that Turku grows wisely, fairly, and sustainably.
Turku Circular Economy Roadmap
Drawn up in 2021, the Turku Circular Economy Roadmap leads the city towards resource wisdom by 2040 at the latest. The year 2029 acts as an important milestone on the journey towards this goal. Resource wisdom means sustainable use of natural resources, no waste and zero emissions. Achieving these objectives requires a transition to a circular economy.
The roadmap is based on the circular economy approach and methods developed by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, together with the world’s leading expert organisations.
Biodiversity Programme (LUMO)
The LUMO programme 2023–2029 implements the Mayor’s Programme’s objective of strengthening biodiversity. The aim is to take a Nature Leap to halt biodiversity loss in the Turku City Region. The objectives of the programme are also strongly linked to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 Roadmap
Turku is committed to the Sustainable Development Goals and has been tracking its progress through internationally recognized Voluntary Local Review (VLR) reports. The 2020, 2022 and 2025 reports highlight the city's concrete actions to promote climate neutrality, inclusiveness, and sustainable urban development.