Climate Change Data

City of Helsinki

Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2023)

Reporting Period: 2023

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

  • Sustainable Tourism
  • Climate Change
  • Social Inclusion
  • Sustainable Development

Environmental Achievements

  • Helsinki ranked 4th in the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS) in 2023.
  • Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is carbon neutral.
  • Helsinki aims to be carbon neutral by 2030.

Social Achievements

  • Helsinki ranked 2nd in the European Commission’s “Access City” competition in 2022 and 3rd in the Commission’s European Capitals of inclusion and diversity 2023 competition.
  • Tourism in Helsinki employs many young people, immigrants and unemployed people.
  • Helsinki actively monitors its residents’ views in relation to tourism and reacts if, for example, excessive tourism affects opinions negatively.

Governance Achievements

  • Helsinki is committed to the Glasgow Declaration for the international tourism industry.
  • Helsinki aims to obtain the Green Destination certificate in 2024 and the Sustainable Travel Finland label by 2025.
  • Helsinki won the European Capital of Smart Tourism Award 2019.

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:
  • Achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 (Helsinki) and 2035 (Finland).
  • Achieve carbon neutrality in tourism by 2050 (Glasgow Declaration).
Medium-term Goals:
  • Halve emissions from tourism by 2030 (Glasgow Declaration).
Short-term Goals:
  • Obtain Green Destination certificate by 2024.
  • Obtain Sustainable Travel Finland label by 2025.

Environmental Challenges

  • Excessive tourism affecting residents' opinions.
  • Combating climate change
  • Making consumption and production patterns more sustainable
  • Halting the loss of biodiversity
Mitigation Strategies
  • Active monitoring of residents' views on tourism.
  • Commitment to carbon neutrality by 2030 (Helsinki) and 2035 (Finland).
  • Phasing out coal power plants by 2025 (Helen).
  • Promoting sustainable practices in tourism and other industries.
  • Implementing the Sustainable Travel Finland program.

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement
  • Support for local and responsible businesses

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS), Glasgow Declaration, Sustainable Travel Finland, UN's GSTC standard, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Certifications: Green Destination (target 2024), Sustainable Travel Finland (target 2025)

UN Sustainable Development Goals

  • Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • Goal 13: Climate Action

Helsinki's commitment to the SDGs is mentioned, but specific initiatives are not detailed.

Awards & Recognition

  • European Capital of Smart Tourism Award 2019