A new year has begun, reminding us that the target years for reaching local, regional and international climate objectives are looming one step closer in the future. Vihti aims to reduce its per capita targets by 50% from 1990 levels by 2030. However, only a few percent of the target has been achieved so far. Achieving the emission reduction target will therefore require significant climate action in the coming years. But where exactly do the municipality's emissions come from and what can be done about them?
Around half of Vihti's emissions come from road transport – our location on major roads and high through-traffic increase the share of traffic emissions. The municipality's most effective tools for reducing transport emissions are related to the promotion of public transport, the best example being One-Hour Turku Rail Link project.
After transport, the biggest source of emissions is energy use in buildings, i.e. heating and electricity consumption in homes, offices and public buildings. Municipal buildings are being equipped with renewable energy solutions to get rid of oil heating. Through such measures, we can have a direct impact on emissions from municipal operations and ownership.
However, there are many emissions that are beyond our control, which the municipality cannot directly influence. The fact is that emissions from municipal activities account for only a fraction of total emissions in the Vihti area. The vast majority of emissions are generated in homes, workplaces and leisure activities.
Climate work must be a collaborative effort – without the people of Vihti, there is no way the municipality can meet its emission reduction target. The municipality is committed to promoting a sustainable urban fabric to make sustainable living in Vihti as easy as possible. The state also supports citizens' everyday efforts to mitigate climate change, for example through various forms of subsidies (read more about the subsidy for giving up oil heating in a small house on the website of the ELY Centre). However, the final decision to switch to sustainable forms of living, mobility and consumption is at the discretion of each individual.
We understand that climate work is not always easy, and we are not perfect or complete by any measure in achieving climate goals. The important thing is to do our bit – every little helps. From an electric car to a daily vegetarian meal, there is a way for everyone to mitigate global warming.
Check out tips on climate action by the people of Vihti.
Vera Järvenreuna
Climate Coordinator
This blog series looks at the profitability of climate work. Cost-effective climate solutions for municipalities are promoted in a joint climate project with the municipality of Kirkkonummi, called "Model for cost-effective climate work in small and medium-sized municipalities." The project is funded by the Ministry of the Environment. Vihti is committed to halving its per capita greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
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