Sustainable development
Helsinki is committed to reporting on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Read the latest report on the Sustainable Helsinki website(Link leads to external service).
Environmental protection
The City of Helsinki’s Environmental Protection Targets 2040 is a document that guides the city’s environmental protection activities and contains medium and long-term environmental protection targets. It specifies environmental targets related to the City Strategy 2021–2025 and sets targets for other environmental protection areas that the strategy does not cover.
The City of Helsinki’s Environmental Protection Targets 2040 (PDF)
Climate protection
Helsinki aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 per cent from 1990 levels by 2030 and to adapt to the changing climate. Follow Helsinki's climate work on the Climate work in Helsinki website(Link leads to external service).
Air quality
Helsinki’s air quality has improved over the past decades and stands international comparison quite well. However, traffic emissions, street dust and emissions from wood burning in home fireplaces still cause harm to people’s health and comfort. Air quality protection is promoted with the help of the Air Quality and Noise Abatement Plan that entered into force in Helsinki in 2024.
Helsinki’s Air Quality and Noise Abatement Plan 2024–2029
Check the current air quality on the HSY website(Link leads to external service)
Noise control
The measures of the Air Quality and Noise Abatement Plan decrease the adverse impacts of traffic noise by reducing noise pollution, preventing noise from spreading, and protecting noise-sensitive sites.
Helsinki’s Air Quality and Noise Abatement Plan 2024–2029
Water protection
In 2007, the cities of Helsinki and Turku committed themselves to take action to help the Baltic Sea. Named the Baltic Sea Challenge, the programme lists more than a hundred measures the cities will take to improve the condition of the Baltic Sea. The Baltic Sea Challenge is open to all organisations interested in water protection and the Baltic Sea.
Nature conservation
The City of Helsinki’s Nature Conservation Programme for 2025–2038 includes 120 new nature conservation areas which are to be established between 2025 and 2038. See the program and areas on the page Helsinki’s nature reserves.
Measures aimed at safeguarding and promoting biodiversity have been brought together in the City of Helsinki Biodiversity Action Plan (the LUMO Programme).
Together with the Nature Conservation Programme and the LUMO Programme, our nature management policy determines the principles of the conservation, management and use of nature in Helsinki. We are currently updating the nature management policy.
Circular economy
The aim of circular economy is to reduce the use of virgin natural resources and the generation of waste. Because circular economy makes more efficient use of materials, it is also an effective means of mitigating climate change.
Helsinki is moving towards the circular economy with the Circular and Sharing Economy Action Plan. The focus areas of the plan are construction, procurement, environmental awareness and sustainable consumption.
Littering
In Helsinki, littering is a significant problem that has a detrimental effect on health and the environment, makes urban areas less pleasant and attractive, and has a negative impact on the image of the city. We are striving to decrease littering with the Litter Management Action Plan (pdf in Finnish).