PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The goal of Finland’s National Energy and Climate Strategy (NECS) is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, especially by promoting cost-efficient transition to carbon-free, clean and renewable energy; and improving energy efficiency. At the start of the project the target set by the strategy was a 39% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared to 2005 in non-emission training system (ETS) sectors. The updated NECS (2022) outlines measures to reach - 60% GHG reduction by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2035. The project target of achieving at least 60% of the original 2030 target by 2024, namely 23% emission reduction in the effort sharing sector by 2024, was achieved in 2022. Further emissions reductions are challenging, especially mitigating carbon dioxide emissions from peat soils.
OBJECTIVES
The LIFE-IP CANEMURE-FINLAND project aimed to make a major contribution to the implementation of Finnish climate change policy, as outlined in the NECS and Finland’s medium-term climate change policy plan for 2018-24. It aimed to work with 7 Finnish regions - North Ostrobothnia, Pirkanmaa, Päijät-Häme, Satakunta, South Karelia, Southwest Finland and Uusimaa - and 32 municipalities that between them covered one-third of Finnish territory and more than two-thirds of its population. The area included – by the end of the project - 99 forerunner (so-called HINKU) municipalities that were committed to an 80% greenhouse emission reduction compared to 2007 emissions in their territories by 2030. These would act as an example to others and a catalyst for action elsewhere in Finland and the EU.
The project had the following specific objectives:
- creating smart low carbon mobility measures
- reducing greenhouse gas emissions of agriculture and forests from organic soils and other activities
- increasing the energy-efficiency of buildings
- promoting decentralised renewable energy production and localised solutions
- developing and implementing climate sustainable solutions for urban planning (including carbon sinks)
- creating conditions for the uptake of clean technology solutions and climate-friendly choices in production and consumption
- generating, using and spreading new information on climate change mitigation actions to achieve sector and system level changes in climate change mitigation
- increasing synergies between climate change mitigation and adaptation
RESULTS
The Canemure project contributed to the implementation of the National Energy and Climate Strategy (NECS) and Medium-term Climate Change Policy Plan (MTCCP) by increasing capacity and enhancing cooperation between various stakeholders on the regional and local level.
Regional climate change mitigation roadmaps were compiled in 7 project regions in close collaboration with the relevant stakeholders and approved by regional boards. The most impactful climate actions were compiled into model roadmaps that can be utilised in the course of future updates of the roadmaps and replicated in other regions as well as abroad.
The Canemure expert platform supported the network of forerunner municipalities (so-called Hinku municipalities). The number of Hinku municipalities grew by 59 new members, reaching 99 by the end of the project. The Hinku-network reached -30% emissions reductions in non-ETS sectors (2023) as compared to -26% in Finland proving the forerunner status.
An emissions database for Finnish municipalities’ greenhouse gas emissions was developed, including data for 1990 and 2005-2023. Consumption-based greenhouse gas emissions data for all the Finnish municipalities was calculated for 2015 and 2019. Climate indicators for municipalities and regions were also published. A scenario tool was developed to plan climate mitigation measures in municipalities.
The Canemure project promoted smart and low-carbon mobility, increased decentralised renewable energy production, improved energy efficiency in buildings, and supported processes that create sustainable urban structures and conditions for low-carbon production and consumption. In agriculture and forestry, the project also advanced the transition to low-emission soil management practices, particularly on peatlands. Best practices were published and shared on the website Sustainabilityleap.fi.
In the project regions, more than 100 new projects were initiated with a budgeted value of ca €30 million.
Active networking is foreseen to continue after the end of the project. The recently renewed project website at https://hiilineutraalisuomi.syke.fi/en/projects/canemure/ serves as a repository of project related information. The Canemure project also launched the Carbon Neutral Webinar series with 38 episodes and over 3 000 attendees. The webinar series is still running. Efforts in the most challenging mitigation areas within the effort-sharing sector will continue in the ACE LIFE SIP project.
