Carbon Neutral Municipalities – An innovative approach to climate

change mitigation at local levelFinnish Environment Institute SYKE

November 2011

Municipalities act as forerunners

by working to curb their greenhouse gas emissions

ahead of schedule(-80% by 2030)

Project details

• Initiated by CEOs and SYKE

• Funding:• Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation TEKES• Enterprises• Finnish Environment Institute (coordinator)

• Project phases:• 1st phase: October 2008 – June 2010• 2nd phase: June 2010 – December 2012• Plans for post-2012

SYKE*Supoprt, expertise,

measurement

Companies*Climate-friendly

technologies and services

SOLUTIONSEnergy production Land use Buildings Transport Agriculture FoodstuffsMaterial efficiency Consumption Carbon sinks

COMMUNICATION OF BEST PRACTICES• within a network of actors • to media and society

Municipal staffand decision makers Local businesses Residents

MUNICIPALITY

Other partners

Municipalities involved

Partners 1/2ABBAina GroupAirwecareBaseN OyBenvirocBiovakkaDeloitteDevoi CircleEagle TuulivoimaEkovillaElintarviketeollisuusliittoEnergiateollisuusEnespaFortumGreen RidersInnotek Kalliokaivo

KemiraKeskoKuusakoskiLassila & TikanojaMicrosoftMuovitech FinlandMW PowerNaps Systems Nokia Siemens NetworksNordic AC/Hi-LogOversol ParocPosiraPricewaterhouseCoopers FinlandRaisioRemoteMXSavumax

Schneider ElectricSkaala Ikkunat ja Ovet Solutions SpaceSt1Suomen Lämpöpumpputekniikka SybimarTurun OsuuskauppaVacon Vahterus Vakka-Suomen VoimaVapo VattenfallVeikkausWindside Production WinwindYaraYIT

Partners 2/2

Aalto UniversityAssociation of Finnish Local and Regional AuthoritiesConfederation of Finnish Industries EKFinnish Forest Research Institute (Metla)Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation, TekesFinnish Meteorological InstituteGeological Survey of FinlandLappeenranta University of TechnologyMinistry of Agriculture and Forestry Ministry of Employment and Economy

Ministry of the EnvironmentMinistry of Transport and CommunicationsMotivaMTT Agrifood Research FinlandNational Consumer Research CentreNo Emission Monday Support group in the ParliamentTampere University of TechnologyUniversity of Eastern FinlandUniversity of Jyväskylä VTT Technical Research Centre of FinlandWWF Finland

Achievements during the first 3 years (2008-2011)

• Emission inventories• Studies on energy efficiency and renewable energy potential• Commitment of municipal governments• Emission reduction targets (80 % 2007-2030)• A yearly action plan included in the municipal budgets• Over 70 reported measures during the first two years• Support to local companies, organizations and residents• Pilot projects, side projects, surveys, events• Network of key actors• New partner municipalities

Municipal emission inventories: KASVENER model• Municipal greenhouse gas emission inventories have been carried out

with the KASVENER model, developed by SYKE for the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities

Improving the carbon footprint of municipal operations

Example: District heating plant at Padasjoki• Padasjoki constructed a district heating plant and network in 2008. The

municipal properties shifted from oil to district heating. The annual cost savings are 200 000 €, the annual emission reducion 600 tCO2. The fuels in 2009: 65 % wood chip, 25 % peat, 10 % residual fuel oil

Promoting green business

Example: Industrial symbiosis in Uusikaupuki, Sybimar Oy

Engaging citizens in climate change mitigation

Example: Visit tour for residents in the municipality of Ii

Keys to succes

Climate change mitigation seen as an opportunityClimate change mitigation seen as an opportunity

Commitment and resources in municipalitiesCommitment and resources in municipalities

Practical tools and face-to-face guidance Practical tools and face-to-face guidance

Actors build networks and support each otherActors build networks and support each other

Efficient communication of good practicesEfficient communication of good practices

Spreading the best practices

• HINKUmappi online service• Newsletter Hinku• Media• Seminars, meetings, international cooperation• HINKU project as a platform for new initiatives

HINKU Forum

• A network of forerunner actors will be created in 2012• Municipalities, businesses, experts etc. • Exchange of knowledge and experiences• Promoting and testing good practices in climate

change mitigation• Planning new projects • Finding solutions together to move towards a

carbon neutral society

www.environment.fi/hinku