LIFE-IP Canemure
Project information
Project management: Laura Saikku and Jyri Seppälä, Syke
Project duration: 2018-2024
Financiers: LIFE Programme, EU’s LIFE programme, Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Transport and Communications, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Energy Authority, The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment for Pirkanmaa, Kangasala, Lempäälä, Nokia, Orivesi, Pirkkala, Vesilahti, Ylöjärvi
Partners: Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment for Southwest Finland, City of Helsinki, City of Hyvinkää, City of Lahti, City of Lappeenranta, City of Lohja, City of Porvoo, City of Tampere, City of Turku, Council of Tampere Region, Finnish Association of Construction Product Industries RTT ry, Finnish Meteorological Institute, Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council, Lauttasaari-Seura ry, Natural Resources Institute Finland Luke, Oulu University of Applied Sciences, Rauman Meriteollisuuskiinteistöt Oy, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, Tampere University, The Regional Council of Päijät-Häme, Ukipolis Oy
Canemure accelerated regional climate work
The transition to a carbon-neutral society requires comprehensive changes across various sectors and societal practices. At the heart of the six-year (2018–2024) “Towards Carbon Neutral Municipalities and Regions” (Canemure) project was collaboration and networking, strong expertise, and concrete climate actions that yield emissions reductions. The project
received funding from the EU LIFE IP programme.
Ambitious goals cannot be achieved solely through legislation; in Finland, a country of long distances, regional climate work that arises from local needs and enhances well-being is essential. Throughout the project and across seven regions, there was extensive stakeholder collaboration, climate mitigation roadmaps were developed, new research and development projects were accelerated, and businesses and decision-makers were
provided with useful information.
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.
Research data, tools, and services
Canemure’s expert network has connected research organisations, regional cooperation groups, pioneering municipalities, and grassroots actors in the fight against climate change. Up-to-date information on greenhouse gas emissions, best practices, and the impacts of climate actions is available for municipalities, businesses, and citizens, including insights on public procurement, sustainable mobility, funding channels for climate work, and consumer opportunities to mitigate climate change. The numerous new tools and services produced by the project also benefit government administration and support the implementation of the climate and energy strategy and the Medium-Term Climate Change Policy Plan (KAISU).
The Climate Act provided a framework
A key pillar of Finland’s climate policy is the national Climate Act, which mandates a 60% reduction in emissions by 2030, 80% by 2040, and 90–95% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels. The law stipulates that Finland must achieve carbon neutrality by 2035 at the latest.
To meet these targets, the Medium-Term Climate Change Policy Plan (KAISU), focusing on emissions in the effortsharing sector and corresponding to Finland’s EU obligations, is developed once per electoral term, alongside a separate, comprehensive climate and energy strategy. The Canemure project has significantly supported the implementation of both KAISU and the climate and energy strategy, particularly in municipalities and regions.
Regional climate work with expert support
The Canemure expert network brought together expert organisations, regional cooperation
groups, forerunner municipalities, and practical actors in the effort to mitigate climate change. The network included the project coordinator, the Finnish Environment Institute, as well as Tampere University, the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), and the Finnish Meteorological Institute.
Emission calculation was developed in Canemure
A new emission calculation system for all municipalities in Finland was published in 2020 (the ALas calculation model). Emission data has since been updated annually. The amount and development of municipalities’ usage-based climate emissions are openly available for the years 1990 and 2005–2022, and can be viewed by municipality, region, and ELY (Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment) area.
Scenario tool helps estimate emission reductions
To assist municipalities and regions in setting climate goals, a calculator (ALasSken) was developed based on the usage-based emission calculation system. This tool allows for the creation of municipal greenhouse gas emission scenarios based on the current emissions of each municipality, as well as various factors and actions that influence emission levels. The tool also helps examine the economic and health impacts of these actions.
In 2023, estimates of consumption-based emissions for all Finnish municipalities were published for the first time, with initial data covering the year 2015. Consumption-based
emissions for 2019 were be published at the end of 2024. Neighbourhood level emission modelling has been developed and calculated for energy consumption and transport emissions in the Maunula and Lauttasaari districts of Helsinki.
The project compiled indicators related to energy and transport for municipalities and regions. These indicators support and complement the monitoring of climate work progress in municipalities and regions. They were published in an open online service and will continue to be updated. Additionally, the project assessed the immediate and indirect employment impacts of investments in regional renewable energy sources, as well as the emission reduction potential of renewable energy.
Calculators for municipalities and residents
The project also developed various calculators to facilitate climate actions of municipalities and residents. A calculator for the impact of bioenergy use on forest carbon balance helps consider the carbon sink effects of forests in sustainability assessments of the bioeconomy.
The carbon footprint calculator for restaurant meals provides an overall picture of the carbon footprint of the food offered in a specific restaurant. The food services calculator is best suited for illustrating the impacts of changes in practices, such as increasing plant-based meals and reducing waste.
The profitability calculator for municipal solar energy investments allows for assessing investment viability, for example, using net present value. The profitability calculator for heat
pumps and hybrids assists in selecting heat pump systems and evaluating their profitability. Various energy systems for heat pumps and solar energy, as well as their combinations, are also considered. The KULKURI calculator enables comparisons of costs and emissions from different mobility services.
Challenges and opportunities
The project also investigated challenges and opportunities related to municipal climate work, such as barriers to utilising waste and geothermal heat, particularly from the perspective of district heating companies. Supply-side barriers were examined from the viewpoints of wastewater companies, companies owning data centres, and large property owners.
Another study examined municipal climate communication and branding, along with their potential to enhance local climate action.
Impactful climate actions compiled
The expert network assessed the effectiveness of numerous climate actions and compiled the most impactful climate actions from the Canemure regions into model roadmaps that regional actors can utilise in the future.
Policy recommendations made in the project provide action recommendations for achieving transport emission reductions and solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from peatlands. Additionally, 13 summaries of best practices (Canemure Best Practices) were published, presenting recommendations and good practices related to various themes of the project.
