The climate work received support from the Sustainable Life Äänekoski project
- Climate change and loss of nature are multidimensional problems and when solving them we have to work together. This requires strong cooperation with residents and businesses, but also internally between the city's various units, subsidiaries and decision-makers. The goal of the sustainable Äänekoski project has been especially to strengthen cooperation within the city, the climate coordinator of the city of Äänekoski Juho Liimatainen says.
The Lifelong Äänekoski project, which started in September 2022, will end at the end of 2023. The purpose of the project financed by the Ministry of the Environment was to make the city's environmental and climate work a permanent part of all activities of the city of Äänekoski. The environmental and climate program of the city of Äänekoski was completed in 2022, and a sustainable environment is one of the top goals in the city strategy.
- The mission of the Life-sustaining Äänekoski project has been to implement the environmental and climate program both in industries and among decision-makers. We have gone through together with the industries what the program means for them and how they can make an impact, says Liimatainen.
- When talking about climate work, it should be part of normal everyday activities, and not a separate concept glued on top. The city of Äänekoski and its employees have a lot of know-how and the climate work is interesting. Climate and environmental work has been done in Äänekoski for a long time, and in the project the activities have been directed in such a way that it becomes even more systematic, and that resources will be allocated to it in the future as well.
Cooperation has been perceived to have strengthened
During the project, e.g. the city's climate work was made visible with the Environmental and Climate Watch service and a workshop for decision-makers was organized. Cooperation between municipalities in climate and environmental matters has been particularly close, and experiences and good practices have been shared between municipalities. Äänekoski is a trend setter for other municipalities and, for example, in the events of the Central Finland Association, Äänekoski has acted as a model municipality. During the project, the city of Äänekoski has actively communicated environmental issues with different themes.
At the end of the project, a survey was carried out for the city's personnel. According to the responses, cooperation regarding environmental issues is felt to have strengthened and the city has gained a lot of visibility in relation to environmental and climate issues.
- The goals of the project were achieved, but climate and environmental work is a continuous development. The program offers good starting points, we have know-how, enthusiasm and good cooperation, but there is still a lot to be done, especially in terms of safeguarding biodiversity and adapting to climate change, says Liimatainen.
However, the city's own carbon footprint is only about one-tenth of the entire region's, so it is important to get residents and businesses involved in the work. Even small actions matter when enough people participate.
- It has been interesting to work with the city units. There is a really enthusiastic group here and an open and encouraging attitude towards climate issues right up to the city management, Liimatainen thanks.
At the beginning of the year, Juho Liimatainen will continue as the climate coordinator in the preparation of the climate plan for the municipalities of Northern Central Finland.
Next year's theme will be sustainable movement
- Even in Äänekoski, road traffic emissions are one of the biggest sources of emissions, and the progress in reducing emissions is currently far too slow for us to reach the national goals by 2030. Next year's theme will be sustainable movement in Äänekoski, and in connection with that, Äänekoski has a lot going on next year, environment manager Hanna Ahonen says.
The city of Äänekoski has received funding from the Ministry of the Environment for the Resource Wise Äänekoski - traffic emission reductions project. The project promotes the development of biofuels and electric charging stations in Äänekoski.
Next year, a program to promote walking and cycling will also be drawn up for Äänekoski.
The city of Äänekoski will join the Jyväskylä Linkki urban traffic area in 2024, which will e.g. to make it easier for the people of Äänekoski to travel between Äänekoski, Jyväskylä and other Linkki municipalities.
There will also be more charging stations for electric cars in the urban areas of Äänekoski and Suolahti.
For more information:
Environmental manager Hanna Ahonen, 0400 893 683, hanna.ahonen@aanekoski.fi
News published, modified 18.12.2023 at 13:00