Initiatives towards Carbon Neutrality in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area

Karna Dahal,Jari Niemelä

doi:10.3390/cli4030036

Abstract

Carbon neutrality represents one climate strategy adopted by many cities, including the city of Helsinki and the Helsinki metropolitan area in Finland. This study examines initiatives adopted by the Helsinki metropolitan area aimed at reducing energy-related carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality through future actions. Various sectorial energy consumption rates per year and carbon emissions from various sectors within the city of Helsinki and the metropolitan area were extracted from an online database and re-calculated (in GWh, MWh/inhabitant and MtCO2e, KtCO2e/inhabitant). We employed a backcasting scenario method to explore the various carbon reduction measures in the Helsinki metropolitan area. About 96% of the emissions produced in the Helsinki metropolitan area are energy-based. District heating represents the primary source of emissions, followed by transportation and electricity consumption, respectively. We also found that accomplishing the carbon reduction strategies of the Helsinki metropolitan area by 2050 remains challenging. Technological advancement for clean and renewable energy sources, smart policies and raising awareness resulting in behavioral changes greatly affect carbon reduction actions. Thus, strong political commitments are also required to formulate and implement stringent climate actions.

Highlights

The global climate has transformed, and the consequent causes of climate change have been observed in recent decades [1]
Helsinki covers a total area of 690 km2 and the metropolitan area expands across 2370 km2 (770 km2 of land area and 1600 km2 of sea area) [16]
The trends related to demographic change and carbon reduction projections provide information about whether current activities aimed at reducing carbon emissions are possible

Summary

Introduction

The global climate has transformed, and the consequent causes of climate change have been observed in recent decades [1]. Finland has adopted its ambitious goals to cut carbon dioxide (CO2 ) emissions together with other member states in the European Union (EU) Local governments, such as cities, play a key role in developing and implementing policies to mitigate and adapt to climate change [3]. Carbon neutrality is one of the climate strategies of many other cities in the EU, including the cities of Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo in the Nordic area [5,6] Such strategies are challenging to accomplish because entire energy systems must be retrofitted and developed with new objectives aimed at clean energy and climate goals. Unlike many other countries and cities, the contribution of CH4 production is negligible in the Helsinki metropolitan area compared to other carbon emissions [15]. Helsinki covers a total area of 690 km (consisting of a land area of 190 km and 500 km of sea area) and the metropolitan area expands across 2370 km (770 km of land area and 1600 km of sea area) [16]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion