Environment

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 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 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.