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Environmental Management, Policy and practises in Helsinki

Petteri HuuskaEnvironmental planner

Content of the presentation

1. City of Helsinki at a glance2. Environmental management in the City3. Best practises and challenges in

different sectors

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City of Helsinki in 2011 at a glance

• The population was 595,384 (+1,2% from 2010)• 39,438 employees in city organisation (+0.6% from 2010),

380 579 in city as whole (130% self-sufficiency) • Helsinki produces about 5% of all Finnish CO2-emissions• The city covers an area of 716 km² in total divided in

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Environmental management in the City of Helsinki – the whole picture

Environmental management in the City of Helsinki – Environmental policy

•Long-term objectives (2050) & medium-term objectives (2020)

• The objectives cover the following fields:

Climate protection

Air protection

Noise abatement

Water protection

Nature & Soil protection

Procurement, waste & material efficiency

Environmental awareness & responsibility

Environmental management & partnerships

Environmental report indicators

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Environmental report indicators

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Goals and practises

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Climate

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Consumption-based greenhouse gas emissions in Helsinki 1990–2011 were reduced by 15 %. *Advance information. Source: HSY.

District heating: 43 %

Consumer electricity: 25%

Transportation: 22%

In 2011:

Climate

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o The emissions were reduced by 15 % from 1990 level.o The goal of city is -20% by 2020, 30 % study is startingo Carbon neutrality aim for 2050 in environmental policy

Reasons for emission reduction1. Substituting natural gas instead of coal main reason for reduction2. Also recovery and energy use of methane from landfill reduced emissions

from 1990’s3. Industry’s oil use and separate heating of buildings was converted district

heating4. Traffic emissions were at 1990 level, the energy efficiency of cars 5. Electricity use has increased but stopped at 2007

Energy production, best practises

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o Combined heat and power saves 40 % fuelso Helsingin Energia climate neutrality plan 2050, 2020 -20 %

emissions and 20 % renewables• Katri Vala district heating and cooling plant• Energy efficient computer halls• Inreased use of wood instead of coal from 2015 (new plant?)• Offshore wind power parks

Energy production, challenges

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o Energy production system is based on combined heat and power • Passive house construction, solar heat (summer), heat pumps?

o Big investments may rise municipal taxes by 2 % at firsto Price of offshore wind power and CCS on neutrality plano (Massive) energy saving is lacking on plans (-30 % account helps)

Energy use

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Consumption-based greenhouse gas emissions in Helsinki 1990–2011. *Advance information. Source: HSY.

In 2011:

Energy use

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o Sävel+ energy monitoring service on internet• Hourly based data on all customers• Comparison to previous weeks, year, different customers

Energy use, best practises

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o Low energy new construction• A-energy class demand for apartment buildings in city-owned plots• Honkasuo Eco-village a good example• Environment house passive house standard->multiplied• Apartment house passive house pilot

o City owned buildings renovation• Low energy guides in renovation of public buildings, 0-energy guides

ready in 2015 (passive house guides not implemented)• Practical energy saving work started, 5 % energy savings in 2012 as

technical personnel, users are involved and advices• Ventilation optimization can save at least 10 %, short payback time • First pilots of low energy construction (Käpylä primary school)

Energy use, best practises

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o Low emission transport• Under 100 g CO2/km cars are parking ½ price• Electric charging network is build into city• Rail transport and bicycle lanes are widened• Compact urban planning to ease clean transportation

Energy use, best practises

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Energy use, challenges

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o Motivation and knowledge of technical experts (Education)o From theory to practise (energy saving activity form 70’s)o Resistance on new practises, “we have alwoys done this Way”

(ESCO, easy energy monitoring for users)o Lack of co-operation between departments (environment centre as

an activator)

Partnerships and co-operation-best practises

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o Climate network statement of 6 biggest cities• Sharing experience• Best practises into action• Joint developing projects on central issues

o Climate partnership between city and enterprises• Voluntary co-operation, sharing knowledge• Own CO2-goals of enterprises

o ECO-Compass• for SME’s, events, city organisation• Informal environmental management system• Practical tools

o Baltic sea Challenge• Voluntary water protection• Network between different type of actors• Sharing of best practises

Partnerships and co-operation-best practises

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Involving the public and employees -best practises

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o Climate info• Practical advices to anyone• Easy tool on internet

o Eco-support activity• About 1000 eco-support persons in 38000 employees• Focus on grass root level of municipal workplaces• Brings environmental management into practise• Helsinki-lead activity is spreading

o Carbon neutral Harakka island Nature Centre• Energy exhition of renewable energy and energy efficiency in real life• 60 % reduction of CO2 by air heat pumps, solar energy, wind and

energy saving • Aimed at common people (single houses, cottages) and youth

Involving the public and employees -best practises

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Important developing projects

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o Climate atlas• Map-based localised service for use of residents and energy saving

companies made by metropolitan cities o Study of possibilities of -30 % CO2-emission reduction by 2020

• Boost to climate work• Siemens study as one source

o Urban development projects in Helsinki• Sustainable technology into use (Kalasatama, Östersundom)• Renewable energy one of top issues • Planning in central role (Master plan)

o Energy saving programmes• ESCO and energy audits made by city/companies • City’s own finance not needed

o Smart transportation• Door to door service cab-like small bus• Traffic light control to speed buses, fast lines

Thank you

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