Saikku, Laura; Ahonen, Sami; Auvinen, Karoliina; Helonheimo, Teemu; Liimatainen, Heikki; Lilja, Saara; Linjama, Jarmo; Lång, Kristiina; Karhinen, Santtu; Mäkinen, Johanna; Peltoniemi, Mikko; Sarkkola, Sakari; Tikkakoski, Päivi
(Finnish Environment Institute, 2022)
Reports of the Finnish Environment Institute 11en/2022
The role of regions and impactful climate actions in achieving a carbon-neutral Finland
This report is a collection of effective emission reduction measures from research and the climate roadmaps of seven regions. These regions are South Karelia, Pirkanmaa, North Ostrobothnia, Päijät-Häme, Satakunta, Uusimaa and Southwest Finland. The model roadmaps in this report emphasise the role of regional actors such as regional councils, Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres) and development organisations in achieving carbon neutrality objectives.
Resources available for climate work in regions and municipalities are limited, so it is important to focus them on the most effective measures. Critical measures for reducing emissions from fossil fuels include reducing energy consumption and improving energy efficiency, significantly increasing the share of low-emission energy and the clean electrification of heating, transport and industrial processes. In the land use sector, critical emission reduction measures include the management of emissions from peatland fields and forests and the prevention of deforestation, in particular. As for clean energy production, regional actors’ tasks include zoning, developing permit processes and promoting the cooperation, competence and funding of key actors. In transport, emissions are impacted by zoning, sustainable transport programmes and pilot projects. In order to reduce emissions from buildings, regional actors can encourage local property owners to undertake energy renovations.
Regional climate work is a continuous process, as new action plans and measures that affect emissions are implemented out constantly. To ensure the effectiveness of climate work, it is essential that the planned emission reduction measures of the roadmaps progress reliably and quickly towards practical implementation. It is crucial that relevant organisations have sufficient resources for implementing the roadmaps. Concrete investments have a positive impact on regional and municipal finances.
The regions’ climate roadmaps focus on climate change mitigation. This report draws attention to synergies between climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. The progress of climate change poses significant risks to people, industries, and nature. These risks can hamper the wider achievement of sustainable development goals. Climate change mitigation and adaptation are essential for both re-gional economy as well as human health and safety.
The model roadmaps describe the range of climate work and the multidisciplinary issues of carbon neutrality work. In the implementation phase of the climate programmes, it is important to maintain a participatory working method where regions implement climate action in cooperation with national and local stakeholders. The model roadmaps in this report include suitable indicators to support the practical monitoring of climate work and expert assessments of the impacts/effectiveness of individual measures. The model roadmaps lay the foundations for successful climate work.