Page 36 - European Energy Innovation - spring 2018 publication
P. 36
36 Spring 2018 European Energy Innovation
COMMUNICATION
Turku aspires to be CLIMATE WORK AS PART OF THE
carbon neutral faster CITY’S IDENTITY
Arve reminds that the best way to
When the climate objectives of cities were globally compared in reach the goal is that all residents,
2015, Turku came up to sixth. Now the city hopes to become carbon businesses and communities commit
neutral even more rapidly than before. themselves to ambitious climate
action. She continues by saying that
Turku, located on the strategy. For instance, we invest into cities and their residents have a key
southwest shore of Finland, is sustainable energy and smart mobility.” role in battling climate change.
an active centre of an urban
area of approximately 350 The biggest single climate investment ”Turku is, for instance, an agile city of
thousand residents. Once the capital already carried out in Turku is the new just the right size and can take new
of Finland, Turku is famous for its multifuel power plant for electricity, technologies into use rapidly. We
universities and knowledge-based district heating and process steam. can function as a testing platform for
economy. The Mayor of Turku Minna This plant replaced the old coal-fired international cleantech businesses, for
Arve (pictured below) does not find power plant. instance.”
it impossible for Turku to be carbon
neutral already in 2029, at the time ”The power plant can operate solely ”The fact that we are committed
of its 800th anniversary. So far, the with biofuel. At the same time, we to climate work is a key part of our
objective has been the year 2040. are developing smart decentralised identity. It also creates an image of
energy production and storing, Turku, acts as an attraction and creates
”We are currently in the process of and improving energy efficiency vitality and wealth.”
renewing our climate and energy comprehensively.”
TOGETHER WITH OTHERS
According to Arve, one of the issues
currently under consideration is how to
Mayor Minna Arve says ambitious Cool people of Turku bike all year round – and the city makes this possible.
Climate action is part of Turku’s
identity.
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