Significant decline in Helsinki greenhouse emissions
Recession, warm weather lead to less combustion
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Total emissions of greenhouse gases in Helsinki declined considerably last year.
According to the city’s environment report, emissions were 14 per cent less than in 1990, which is the reference year in the city’s energy policy goals.
The exceptionally low emissions were attributed to less burning of fuel for energy. Factors contributing to the goal included ample availability of hydroelectric power in Finland, and an exceptionally warm winter.
There was a considerable decline in the use of coal-fired plants in the production of energy.
The use of renewable energy in the generation of electricity, district heat, and district cooling increased by nearly two percentage points to 6.2 per cent.
There was a slight decrease in traffic on the main road network, and the use of public transport grew to the tune of five million rides.
Use of water decreased last year, but consumption of electricity increased.
The economic slump which hit the country last year also led to decreased traffic and decreased disposal of mixed waste. The main reason for the latter was that part of the mixed, non-recyclable waste in the greater Helsinki area is now processed outside the area.
The environment report also reveals that employees of the City of Helsinki have significantly reduced their consumption of paper.
Last year, each employee consumed an average 2,900 sheets of paper, which is one-fifth less than in the previous year.
Factors reducing the consumption of paper included the end of the city’s digital printing activities, and the development of electronic data systems.
Helsingin Sanomat
