Actions from reducing emissions to educating about climate change
Against this background, and in celebration of Earth Day 2025, it is timely to reconsider the important climate actions that remain underway due to the commitments of the Finnish government, the city of Helsinki, and the University of Helsinki.
Finland adopted the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015, and since has significantly sped up the green energy transition due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The City of Helsinki has placed increasing emphasis on sustainability in recent years and aims to be carbon neutral by 2030.
The University of Helsinki also aims to be carbon neutral by 2030. Published in 2023, the University’s Roadmap to Sustainability outlines four key measures to reduce carbon emissions: carbon-neutral facilities, sustainable procurement, low-emission transport, and sustainable eating habits. The Sustainability and Responsibility Plan for 2025-2028 highlights over 40 measures to increase both sustainability and wellbeing, including improving accessibility, developing sustainability education, and clarifying decision-making on sustainability.
The Climate University (CU) is among Finland’s best academic environmental initiatives, first created in 2021. Administered by the University’s own Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR), the CU is committed to internationality and intends to increase public understanding of climate change and what we as individuals can do. With most courses being taught fully online, it offers a range of courses encompassing a multitude of facets of sustainability.
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