Climate work

Family in the middle of autumn leaves.
The city of Äänekoski does ambitious and long-term climate and environmental work. Our main goal for climate work is an 80% reduction in regional greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared to 2005. We also want to be a carbon-neutral city in the target year of 2030.

The goals are recorded in Äänekoski's city strategy and are implemented through the environment and climate program. The program serves as guidelines for the entire city group, i.e. the city organization and the entities and foundations under its control, with its goals, metrics and action plans. 

Environmental and climate program of the city of Äänekoski

Äänekoski is the first Hinku municipality in Central Finland

Towards a carbon-neutral municipality, or Hinku, is a network of climate change mitigation pioneers founded in 2008, which Äänekoski joined as the first municipality in Central Finland in 2019. 

The goal of the Hinku network is an 80% emission reduction by 2030 compared to the 2007 level. The network brings together municipalities committed to ambitious emission reductions, companies offering climate-friendly products and services, and energy and climate experts.

The city of Äänekoski saves energy

The majority of the urban organization's carbon footprint comes from energy consumption. Since 2013, the city of Äänekoski has participated in the municipal energy efficiency agreement (KETS). The goal of the commitment is to reduce the city's energy consumption in each contract period. The goal of the current contract period (2017–2025) is 7,5% energy savings. 

In addition, the city of Äänekoski has actively participated in Motiva's energy saving campaigns, e.g. For energy saving weeks and the Astetta alemmas campaign.

Äänekoski as a trend setter for climate work in the province

The city of Äänekoski is strongly involved in promoting Central Finland's climate work. Thanks to its long-term climate work, Äänekoski is considered one of the pioneers in the entire province. The city cooperates closely with other central Finnish municipalities and the Union of Central Finland.

The provincial carbon-neutral Central Finland goal aims for 80% reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared to 2007. In addition, the goal of the road map is to be overall sustainable, i.e. it takes into account economic, environmental, social and cultural aspects in a balanced way.

You can follow the progress of the carbon-neutral Central Finland work On the website of the Union of Central Finland

Monitoring of the city's CO2 emissions

The city of Äänekoski monitors its greenhouse gas emissions regularly with the help of the CO2 report made by Sitowise Oy and the Finnish Environment Institute's ALas calculation model. Monitoring has already been done since 2013. The ALas calculation extends back to 2005. 

In addition, consumption-based CO2 emissions are monitored using the model developed in the Kulma project. The city of Äänekoski was among the first Finnish municipalities to calculate consumption-based greenhouse gas emissions in 2021. 

Emissions are monitored regionally, i.e. they include all greenhouse gas emissions assigned to the geographical area of ​​Äänekoski, converted to a form corresponding to the emission effect of carbon dioxide (carbon dioxide equivalent). 

Latest reports:

CO2 report 2024: Äänekoski's regional greenhouse emissions (pdf) 

Kulma report 2023: Greenhouse gas emissions from consumption in Äänekoski (pdf)

Emission monitoring window of the ALas calculation model (SYKE)

Get momentum from projects to climate work

Resource-wise Äänekoski - Low-emission road transport project

The city of Äänekoski has received funding from the Ministry of the Environment for the Resource-wise Äänekoski - Low-emission road transport project. The project promotes the development of biofuels and electric charging stations in Äänekoski. The project will start in 2023.

Read more in the announcement on February 7.2.2024, XNUMX: The city of Äänekoski is working to promote low-emission transport

Life-sustaining Äänekoski project (09/2022–12/2023)

The goal of the Sustainable Life Äänekoski − Effects of a Fair Circular Economy on the Carbon Footprint project, which started in September 2022, is to integrate climate work as a permanent part of all activities of the city of Äänekoski. The project is financed by the Ministry of the Environment from its Municipal Climate Solutions program.

The project implements the environmental and climate program of the city of Äänekoski, committing the city's management, industries and decision-makers to the program's climate and circular economy goals. During the project, the city piloted the role of climate coordinator.

More information on the project page: Life-lasting Äänekoski

Green Renewable Äänekoski project (08/2019–07/2022)

In the Green Renewable Äänekoski project, an environmental policy was drawn up for the city and an environmental program for the entire city group. The project was financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

The goal of the project was to guide the industries of the city of Äänekoski, group companies and key stakeholders to act in accordance with the principles of low carbon and sustainable development. The project developed and piloted services that offered residents and local businesses opportunities to choose sustainable solutions in their everyday life and operations.

More information on the project page: Green Renewable Äänekoski

For more information:

Environmental manager
Hanna Ahonen
+0400 893 683
hanna.ahonen@aanekoski.fi