Ecological sustainability is a major challenge for a city with high consumption and living standards
On a global scale, the ecological footprint of Helsinki residents is considerable: our consumption levels exceed the limits of the Earth’s carrying capacity. On the other hand, the state of the environment in Helsinki has improved according to many indicators, and environmental protection and services like waste management and water supply are at a good level.
As the city grows, the main challenges for the future will be caused by the densification of the urban structure and the impact of traffic on air quality, noise and nature. There is much work to be done in reconciling the conflicting objectives of Helsinki’s growth and the protection of local nature. The City plays a key role in ensuring ecological sustainability, as it is responsible for many related activities, such as local climate and environmental protection measures, maintenance of green and recreational areas, city planning and infrastructure.
Climate and energy
The City has invested heavily in climate change mitigation in recent years and achieved significant emission reductions in energy production. The City is on track to reach the minimum threshold of the 2030 carbon neutrality target.
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Local nature and biodiversity
Helsinki is a green city by the sea. Green areas cover more than a third of the city’s land area, and two-thirds of the entire city area is sea. The City Strategy puts an emphasis on the protection of local nature. Helsinki’s nature is essentially diverse: forests, meadows, wetlands, beaches, islands, creeks and parks.
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Water ecosystems
Helsinki’s water areas comprise large sea areas and freshwater areas, which include the Vantaa River, streams, ditches, ponds and springs. Helsinki’s archipelago of 300 islands stretches from the sheltered inner archipelago to the open sea.
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