On August 27th, the City of Turku hosted its second Townhall COP, inviting citizens, companies, and decision-makers to join discussions on local, national, and global climate actions.
Participants emphasized the need for long-term commitment, high ambition, and consistency in climate policy. The event was divided into two sessions. In the morning, Turku gathered around 60 representatives from key local businesses and organizations that are part of the city’s Climate City Contract network. The discussion focused on strengthening local climate collaboration and exploring expectations for the future of national and international climate efforts.
Participants also called for the EU and Finland to maintain ambitious goals in climate action, the circular economy, and biodiversity. They stressed that policies must be coherent, well-funded, and supported by clear regulation, research and innovation (RDI) funding, and resources for municipalities. National and EU-level decisions should ensure stable support for the green transition, even in changing circumstances.
Turku Climate Forum called for stronger support national governments to reduce transport emissions
In the afternoon, the annual Turku Climate Forum took place under the theme of collaboration and European climate leadership. Around 200 participants attended. The event was live streamed and simultaneously translated in English. The forum explored what new forms of cooperation are needed for Turku, Finland, and Europe to meet their climate goals — and how climate action can boost vitality and bring sustainable well-being to cities.
Turku aims to be carbon neutral by the year 2029 and climate positive afterwards. Turku was chosen to EU’s 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission in 2022. The goal of the mission is to enable all European cities to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Currently, 47 key companies and organizations in Turku are committed to city’s carbon neutrality goal as climate city contract partners of Turku. Several of these partners shared their perspectives on climate work during the Turku Climate Forum event.
The Climate Forum featured a range of speakers, including local and national experts, decision-makers, and business representatives. A key message that emerged was that the national government needs to provide cities with stronger support in order to reduce transport emissions. Another message emphasized making stronger national sustainability policies in land use sector to safeguard sufficient carbon sinks locally and nationally.
Businesses, in turn, called on the EU to provide consistent climate policies and legislation, along with common rules that support corporate sustainability efforts.
Inspired by the format of UN Climate Change Conferences (COPs), the Townhall COP is part of a global initiative in which cities convene stakeholders to engage in climate discussions. Insights from these events are collected by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability and shared at international climate negotiations, including the annual UN COP conferences.