Turku is making strong progress towards its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2029. Thanks to its ambitious climate work, Turku has now, for the seventh consecutive year, achieved the highest rating – Leadership A – in CDP’s global city reporting.
CDP is an international non-profit organisation, whose mission is to encourage companies, cities, and governments to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, as well as to safeguard water resources and protect forests.
The A rating is CDP’s highest possible recognition for cities that have demonstrated significant emissions reductions. Achieving an A rating also requires a comprehensive climate risk assessment and an adaptation plan for a changing climate.
Mayor of Turku Piia Elo sees the recognition as proof of the success of Turku’s climate work.
– We have significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions and carefully prepared for the impacts of climate change. Our solutions have also had a positive effect on residents’ quality of life, health, and the smoothness of everyday life. In a city that functions sustainably and is safe for health, both residents and businesses can continue to thrive in the future, says Elo.
In 2025, around 20,100 companies and 1,000 cities, states, and regions reported through CDP. Among Finnish cities, in addition to Turku, Tampere is also included on the latest A List.
From Climate Reporting to Advancing an Economy That Respects Planetary Boundaries
European organisations that achieved CDP’s A List met on Wednesday at an awards ceremony in Paris, which also celebrated CDP’s 25th anniversary. CDP was established in response to the need for an independent and transparent platform for climate reporting for companies, cities, and governments. In addition to climate actions, many companies also report on water and forest-related measures through CDP.
Speaking at the event, CDP’s CEO Sherry Madera emphasised that climate and other environmental goals should not be viewed as separate areas. She highlighted as a shared objective the promotion of holistic, Earth-positive business and economic systems (Earth-positive economics). In practice, this means, for example, integrating nature-positive approaches into business and city strategies, even as knowledge on nature impacts continues to develop.
Niina Ruuska, Senior Specialist for Nature City, who received the award in Paris on behalf of Turku, notes that CDP’s Earth-positive economics objective is aligned with Turku’s sustainability work.
– We approach climate work as a comprehensive whole and develop solutions in close cooperation with companies and other stakeholders in the region. The companies speaking at the Paris seminar also reinforced the view that sustainable business, when led proactively and based on knowledge, is also more economically viable, says Ruuska.