Energy Efficiency and...
News 0News February 13, 2012 Energy Efficiency & Behaviour Conference 2012: The latest research results and experiences on improving end-user...
Human activity contributes to climate change, and the consequences are serious. Curbing global warming requires a drastic reduction in emissions - right now.
Even without the transport in and around them, about 40 per cent of all energy consumption and emissions comes from buildings. So ensuring they're as energy efficient as possible is crucial to climate change mitigation.
In the fight against the climate change, each and every one of us is needed. Being aware of our own carbon footprint helps make green choices in everyday life. Local governments can make this easier.
We must start making changes now if we're to reduce emissions. Changing structures is costly and slow. But in the long run, extra investment in housing, transport and energy will more than repay itself.
Finland has made a commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050. Achieving this requires individuals, businesses and local authorities as well as the state.
Mitigating climate change and limiting global warming to no more than two degrees Celsius requires drastic and rapid emission reductions. Emissions will need to be cut by 80% by 2050. The transition to a low-carbon society needs major changes, to social structures as well as buildings and construction.
Infrastructure reforms promoting a low-carbon society require extremely heavy investments. In practice, this will increase the cost of energy, transport and housing. On a national level, however, investments can be widely dispersed by creating the preconditions for decentralised region- and building-specific solutions on a local level. On the other hand, investments in energy efficiency will reduce operating costs in the long term.
Buildings and construction account for about 40 per cent of all energy consumption and emissions. If you include emissions from transportation, the effect is even more significant. The initiative ERA17 – For an Energy-Smart Built Environment 2017 identified 31 actions aimed at rapidly reducing emissions from the built environment. Actions were listed in five areas: land use, decentralised energy production, construction guidance, property use and ownership, and competence development. Implementing the actions will be a group effort requiring the involvement of individuals, businesses and local authorities as well as the state.
When it comes to mitigating climate change, people have an important part to play. When you are aware of the environmental impact of choices relating to housing, transport and consumption, it is easier to make green choices. Local authorities are excellently positioned to offer people increased opportunities for contributing to the efforts and decision-making concerning climate change mitigation.
The Mayors' climate network brings together the climate actions of the six largest cities in Finland. Through their cooperation Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, Tampere, Turku and Oulu want to inspire other cities and towns and encourage them to join the network.
The Ilmankos project in Tampere collected recommendations relating to citizens’ participation and climate campaigns, as well as the methods of participation which were deemed to work best. The ECO2 – Eco-efficient Tampere 2020 project continues on the same track, steering the city towards a carbon-neutral future. The Peloton project trains ‘gatekeepers’, groups which hold the keys to the energy choices people make.
The energy-efficient city block in Jätkäsaari will offer green services on site and thereby promote a new kind of low-carbon urban lifestyle. It is the result of the Low2No development project, which includes low-energy, low-carbon engineering and construction, resulting in a sustainable built environment.
The fight against climate change is carried out on the national, regional and local level. It is visible in our everyday life and local environment as well as in local decision-making and national building regulations.
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