Promoting carbon-neutral urban logistics and construction sites

Turku has set the goal of becoming a carbon-neutral city by 2029. One of the measures to achieve this goal has been the preparation of a Sustainable Urban Logistics Plan (SULP), which was developed as part of the Scale-Up project. In addition, the project included a pilot logistics experiment using an electric mini-van.

Sustainable Urban Logistics Plan

The City of Turku’s Sustainable Urban Logistics Plan brings together the development needs, guidelines and decisions related to sustainable urban logistics and ensures their mutual compatibility. The objective has been to define clear, measurable and adequately resourced actions that deliver results and develop new operating models to reduce emissions from transport.

The preparation of the plan involved compiling material related to logistics planning as well as staff recruitment. Background work included identifying international benchmarks and best practices and reviewing the City of Turku’s transport and mobility-related documents. The SULP action programme was compiled based on the measures identified in these documents. The implementation of the action programme is monitored through indicators developed for each action.

Stakeholder cooperation played a central role in the planning process. Representatives of the city organisation and the business community were engaged as broadly as possible through surveys, personal interviews and events. The aim was to comprehensively take stakeholders’ needs into account in the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan.

The Sustainable Urban Logistics Plan is part of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan, and the implementation period for both plans is 2024–2029. The plan was approved by the City Board on 9 December 2024 and can be accessed here: Sustainable Urban Logistics Plan (in Finnish).

Electric mini-van pilot

In cooperation with E-Mobility Solutions, a pilot project focusing on electric urban logistics was implemented to explore potential business models for providing the service in Turku. The pilot included two small electric vans and a battery charging station. The pilot started in July 2024 at the Kirkkopuisto terrace next to Turku Cathedral. The compact vans, known as mini-vans, offered businesses operating the summer terrace a new low-emission logistics alternative in the city centre area. After the terrace closed, the vans and charging cabinet were relocated to the House of Arts. The House of Arts is a multi-actor environment used by various organisations, companies and freelancers.

According to a feedback survey, all respondents were satisfied with the pilot and replaced trips made by private car with the use of the vans. Most respondents (67%) would be willing to pay for the service either on an hourly basis or for daily use. The most important aspects of the service are the ease of starting and ending vehicle use and flexible usage options. The business model will be tested in spring 2025 using an app-based booking and payment system.

Electric construction sites

Turku’s goal is to be carbon neutral by 2029. Achieving this requires rapid and significant action across all sectors. For example, working machinery accounts for approximately eight per cent of carbon dioxide emissions in the effort-sharing sector, i.e. sectors outside emissions trading. Construction sites also generate harmful local emissions and engine noise. Through public procurement, the public sector can influence a significant share of these emissions and support the achievement of carbon neutrality targets. The public sector can act as a forerunner in the use of alternative power sources while creating demand and enabling the development and wider deployment of low-emission solutions.

To support this work, Turku has signed a Green Deal agreement, concluded among public sector actors to promote sustainable procurement. The Ministry of the Environment is supported in implementing the agreement by KEINO, the network-based competence centre for sustainable and innovative public procurement.

The parties to the agreement, together with the KEINO competence centre, have developed a joint operating model for zero-emission construction sites, as well as a monitoring system and procurement criteria applied at their construction sites. Other municipalities and public sector actors are also invited to participate. Common procurement criteria and a monitoring system ensure that the objectives of the agreement are achieved. The procurement criteria are developed in cooperation with representatives of different sectors.

The electrification of construction sites has been slowed due to international availability challenges related to electric construction machinery. However, growing demand is expected to influence manufacturers and accelerate electrification after the initial challenges. To assess the impacts of electrified construction sites, it is important to measure emissions before electrification so that the effects can be compared after implementation.

Theses on carbon-neutral construction sites

Engineering student in energy and environmental technology Nelli Kontturi's thesis Kestävän liikenteen ja liikkumisen edistämisen keinot rakennustyömailla – case Kuntec Oy examined how sustainable mobility and transport can be promoted, particularly at small construction sites. The aim was to identify practical measures to make transport and mobility more sustainable. Mobility was examined holistically, covering commuting, on-site movements, material transport and machinery. As part of the study, the CEO of Kuntec Oy was interviewed to assess the current situation. Appendix 2 of the thesis presents recommended measures for Kuntec, which are also likely to be beneficial for other actors in the sector.

Engineering student in construction and civil engineering Eino Tähkäpää's thesis Polttomoottorikäyttöisten työkoneiden korvaaminen sähkökäyttöisillä työkoneilla – päästöttömät green deal -sopimuksen työmaat examined the calculation of greenhouse gas emissions from construction sites and the impact of machinery electrification on these emissions. The pilot project in the study was the housing company As Oy Turun Harppuunan Kippari, which complies with EU taxonomy requirements. Emissions from the project were monitored by the main contractor with the aim of applying for BREEAM certification. According to the study, the work could be carried out using electric equipment for up to 97% of operations.