The new City Strategy gives climate objectives a more prominent role. The climate will continue to change at an accelerating pace in the near future. Extreme weather events and related risks are also increasing in Helsinki. The City's aim is to ensure a viable living environment for its residents and take global responsibility for climate change.
"The 85% emission reduction target is ambitious, also by international standards. However, we want the goals to be realistic, not just something written on paper. Helsinki will continue to take wide-ranging, decisive action. The most important thing is to ensure that emissions are actually reduced in the city. The City Strategy sets emission reduction goals and the Climate Programme specifies the strategy's goals into more detailed targets," says Hanna Wesslin, Climate Director of the City of Helsinki.
Focus on local emission reductions
The renewed climate programme, which will be submitted to the City Council for a decision in spring 2026, will abandon the previous 2030 carbon neutrality target. Until now, Helsinki has pursued carbon neutrality by aiming for an 80% reduction in emissions, with at most 20% of the remaining emissions offset through compensations, i.e. by purchasing climate units from voluntary carbon markets.
"However, the international world of emission reductions has changed rapidly. Although offsets still play a role globally, offsetting is today also seen as involving many challenges. Local emission reductions offer a more sustainable way to spend tax money than the expensive and uncertain use of offsets. We believe that it is better to focus Helsinki's resources on local, effective emission reductions and climate change preparedness," says Hanna Wesslin.
The work done so far has already yielded significant results. Helsinki's total CO2 emissions have decreased by 54% compared to 1990. Emissions per capita have fallen by 67% over the same period. Emissions are now at their lowest level since the 1990 reference year.
By 2040, Helsinki's emissions and carbon sinks must be in balance.
"This means, in particular, that Helsinki must preserve its valuable natural carbon sinks, such as its forests," says Wesslin.
Climate programme emphasises adaptation
In 2026–2029, Helsinki will focus on climate change adaptation and extreme weather preparedness in addition to emission reductions. Increasing greening is among the most effective measures for climate change adaptation. Green infrastructure not only absorbs water and cools the air, but also provides many social, health and economic benefits. In the coming years, we will develop a programme of measures to green the built environment in new areas and create recommendations for sufficient canopy cover and water-absorbing surface areas across the entire city. The aim is to increase tree and canopy cover and ensure that all residents are reasonably close to a green space or body of water.
In terms of emissions reduction, Helsinki will continue to tackle its biggest sources of emissions. The focus is particularly on transport, i.e. promoting sustainable mobility modes. Guiding construction towards low-carbon solutions and utilising energy production that is not based on combustion are also at the core of the climate programme. Helen, the energy company in Helsinki, is currently exploring the possibility of building a small nuclear power plant. Helsinki aims to make public transport an attractive alternative and to facilitate residents' transition to electric cars. The City will also continue to reduce indirect emissions, for example through procurement.
