City of Turku selected as one of the globally leading climate cities for the fourth time

City of Turku has been recognized by CDP, a global environmental impact non-profit organisation, as one of 123 A List cities across the globe that is taking bold leadership on environmental action and transparency, despite the pressures of a challenging global economic situation.

A List cities are demonstrating their climate leadership through concerted and effective action, just as national governments have been asked to do at COP27. They are taking twice as many mitigation and adaptation measures as non-A List cities. Only 12% of cities that were scored in 2022 received an A score.

City of Turku, and the other 122 cities on this year’s A List, are also celebrated for showing that urgent and impactful climate action – from ambitious emissions reduction targets to building resilience against climate change – is achievable at a global level, and in cities with different climate realities and priorities.

"Innovative climate work that is based on research in cities, companies and higher education institutions plays a crucial role in achieving global goals. We want to be an influential pioneer in this work, and we also strongly encourage other actors to participate in solving our common challenges", says Mayor Minna Arve.

City of Turku is a global climate forerunner and actor

The City of Turku has been ranked among the top 100 climate cities on the CDP list for four consecutive years. We are a significant climate actor and a pioneering city, and our achievements have also been noticed internationally. In 2020, the European Commission designated the City of Turku as the best medium-sized climate city in Europe among over 10,000 cities and regions.

"Public international reporting and exposure to external assessment increases the transparency and credibility of climate work. Doing well in international comparisons reflects the development and comprehensiveness of Turku's work in recent years", says Senior Specialist Miika Meretoja.

Turku has set a goal of being carbon neutral by 2029 when it turns 800 years. Even now, more than half of the greenhouse gas emissions in the Turku region have been cut from 1990 levels. In addition, the regional economy has grown, and new low-carbon solutions and circular economy have generated new competence, competitiveness and jobs.

CDP lists the results in the UN climate register

The City of Turku participates in global co-operation to mitigate climate change: we are an active member of UN Climate Change Conferences and the global ICLEI network of local governments. Reporting on our climate work through the CDP system will record the results in the UN climate register.

CDP is a global non-profit that runs the world’s environmental disclosure system for companies, cities, states and regions. Nearly 20,000 organizations around the world disclosed data through CDP in 2022, including more than 18,700 companies worth 50% of global market capitalization, and over 1,100 cities, states and regions.

More information:

• Miika Meretoja, Senior Specialist, climate and environmental policies, City of Turku: [email protected] / +358 50 554 6148
• City of Turku’s climate work: https://www.turku.fi/en/carbonneutralturku