The city of Äänekoski is working to promote low-emission transport
The resource-wise Äänekoski - Low-emission road project has started in the city of Äänekoski, the goal of which is to reduce regional road traffic emissions by speeding up the development of the distribution infrastructure for alternative operating forces. We also want to raise awareness of the importance of low-emission transport.
- Road traffic emissions are also one of the biggest sources of emissions in Äänekoski. Actions that reduce traffic emissions are therefore of great importance when you want to do impressive climate work. However, municipalities have limited resources, so it is important to focus them on the most effective actions. This year's theme will be Sustainable movement in Äänekoski, environment manager Hanna Ahonen says.
- Despite the significant industry, Äänekoski does not have much available renewable transport fuels, and the local limited network of charging stations does not serve the needs of industry and logistics. This needs to be changed quickly and with the help of the project we can speed up the development of the distribution infrastructure for alternative operating forces in the region, director of vitality Sari Åkerlund says.
The city of Äänekoski has received funding from the Ministry of the Environment for the Low-Emission Road Traffic project. 21 000 The project will promote the development of biofuels and electric charging stations in Äänekoski, especially from the perspective of heavy traffic. The project will last until September 15.9.2024, XNUMX and will be implemented by the city together with Ramboll Finland Oy.
- Interaction and joint development is important so that the services of the green transition meet the real needs of users, Aino Mensonen Rambollita states.
Work aimed at reducing traffic emissions is very important, as road traffic alone is responsible for more than a third of Äänekoski's regional greenhouse gas emissions, and its share is growing the most in relation to other emission sources. The large industrial investments in Äänekoski in recent years also increase the volume of traffic in the area, especially heavy traffic.
- Even though this project focuses on heavy traffic, the diversification of the distribution network will also benefit private drivers, says Ahonen.
Companies and heavy traffic play a key role
The goal of the project is to match demand and supply for low-emission fuels by strengthening cooperation between stakeholders. Companies and actors operating in the Äänekoski area play the main role.
During February, Ramboll will conduct interviews with significant distributors and users in the region to find out their needs and plans. Preliminary results will be available in March. After the interviews, a workshop will be organized for the operators in May, where the meeting will certainly take place in a concrete way.
- Companies play a key role in this change and in achieving the emission reduction goals. At Äänekoski, we value the information and views of companies and other stakeholders. We want to hear about the needs of companies in this area, what kind of driving forces they want to use in traffic here, what kind of needs we see in the future. This way we can bring the right kind of fuel distribution here, says Åkerlund.
For the interviews, significant logistics companies and distribution operators operating in Äänekoski have been selected.
- So far the reception has been very good and it seems that there is a need for this now, Åkerlund is happy.
The results obtained in the project can be used in the development of cooperation between regional and stakeholder groups and in the crystallization of the city organization's own influence possibilities. The project also supports the goals of the city's environment and climate program.
- The city of Äänekoski itself cannot be an actor in the distribution business, but the city can meet demand and supply and thereby promote the issue. At the same time, we get current information to support the city's future decision-making, which helps in planning concrete measures, says Ahonen.
Äänekoski has a theme year of sustainable movement
In addition to the low-emission road transport project, the city is currently running a biogas study, the first results of which have already been obtained. Envitecpolis Oy has done the survey as a partner.
- In biogas as a fuel, there should be production before distribution is possible. The study has indeed mapped the raw material base of biogas in the Äänekoski area, i.e. are there production and distribution opportunities here and what kind of production could be obtained in the area, says Sari Åkerlund.
In addition, another climate-related project is about to start in Äänekoski. The city of Äänekoski received EUR 18 in funding from Traficom for the KäPy project. In the project, a walking and cycling promotion program will be drawn up for Äänekoski. The program aims to improve the smoothness and safety of walking and cycling and to increase their share of traffic.
The city of Äänekoski is involved in the Jyväskylä Linkki urban traffic area, which will bring the operators who won the competition to Äänekoski already next summer. Linkki buses run mainly on renewable diesel (HVO), biogas or electricity, and starting in August, clean, energy- and environmentally friendly buses should be operating in Äänekoski as well.
Coordinated by the city of Äänekoski, there will be more electric car charging stations this year in the urban areas of Äänekoski and Suolahti. The operation will be operator-based and the city's share will be to supply the stations' electricity and connections. The new charging stations will be the property of the operator, but they will be branded in the colors of the city of Äänekoski.
For more information:
Vitality Director Sari Åkerlund, 050 598 7447, sari.akerlund@aanekoski.fi
Environmental manager Hanna Ahonen, 0400 893 683, hanna.ahonen@aanekoski.fi
News published, modified 7.2.2024 at 11:23
