7.3.2016
Lappeenranta once again nominated for the world's best city in climate change mitigation
Lappeenranta once again nominated for the world's best city in climate change mitigation
Lappeenranta has made it to the finals in the international Earth Hour City Challenge organised by the World Wildlife Fund, which is designed to encourage cities in their work in preventing climate change. Organised for the sixth time, the challenge measures the cities' preparedness to reduce greenhouse emissions produced in energy production and traffic and through food choices. The last time Lappeenranta made it to the finals was in 2014.
A total of 124 cities from 20 countries participated in WWF's Earth Hour City Challenge 2016, and 45 cities made it to the finals. The international jury was particularly impressed by Lappeenranta's efforts to make the city waste-free and carbon-neutral by 2050.
The development has been promising, as Lappeenranta has already reduced its emissions by 38% from the 1990 level. The next step is to reduce the emissions by 80% from the 2007 level by 2030, in accordance with the target of the HINKU network for Finnish carbon neutral municipalities.
According to Liisa Rohweder, Secretary General of WWF Finland, the cities' contribution are essential, as more than 70% of global emissions are produced by cities.
"Lappeenranta has set consistent, long-term goals and has already shown that it is prepared to achieve those goals on time. Smooth cooperation with the residents, local businesses and universities has been one of the keys to success, as everyone's contribution is important," Ms Rohweder says.
One of the ways in which Lappeenranta has reduced its emissions is by increasing the percentage of energy produced from renewable sources to 78. Lappeenranta produces the largest amount of solar electricity per resident of any city in Finland. The city's solid expertise in energy issues is supported by the Lappeenranta University of Technology, where the search for new solutions to climate change mitigation continues. In 2013, the University received an international Sustainable Campus Excellence Award for its concrete efforts to promote clean technology.
Ilkka Räsänen, Director of Lappeenranta Region Environmental Office, talks about the many methods used in Lappeenranta to produce renewable energy.
"Our methods range from heat pumps to large energy production plants. In the Lappeenranta suburb of Joutseno, we use hydrogen to produce district heating, and the number of solar panels in domestic use is on the rise. Lappeenranta and all of South Karelia have the opportunity to become a model region for renewable energy in Finland," Mr Räsänen believes.
People vote for their favourite city
In addition to the winner selected by an external jury, one city receives a We Love Cities Award. People can voice their opinions by voting, proposing improvements, or using the city's hashtag #welovelappeenranta in the social media.
Votes and proposals can be submitted at www.welovecities.org. The public vote is open from 26 April to 19 June. Last year, more than 335,000 votes were submitted. The Finnish candidates, at the time, were Lahti, Tampere, and Espoo; the winner was Seoul in South Korea. This year, the only Finnish candidate is Lappeenranta.
The WWF's Earth Hour City Challenge is part of the world's largest climate event, WWF's Earth Hour, which takes place on Saturday 19 March. The lights are being switched off, from20:30–21:30, to show concern for climate change. The Lappeenranta Region Environmental Office invites all businesses, communities, and residents of Lappeenranta to join the campaign.
Further information
General Secretary Liisa Rohweder, WWF Finland, tel. +358 40 840 7461,
liisa.rohweder@wwf.fi
Project Worker Jere Lehtomaa, WWF, tel. +358 400 422 659,
jere.lehtomaa@wwf.fi
Director Ilkka Räsänen, Lappeenranta Region Environmental Office, tel. +358 400 815 284
ilkka.rasanen@lappeenranta.fi
