What makes up the carbon footprint of consumption in Espoo? New insights into Espoo’s consumption-based emissions

Espoo has set a goal to reduce its consumption-based emissions. When calculating consumption-based emissions, emissions from food, goods and services are included regardless of where they are produced. This way, the climate impact of things like imported food and residents’ air travel is also taken into account.

In 2024, Espoo’s per capita consumption-based emissions were 8.35 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. “We have now calculated consumption-based emissions in Espoo for the third time, and the latest results show the lowest levels so far. Emissions from energy use have been steadily declining, and emissions from private car traffic have also decreased. However, the most significant change between 2022 and 2024 is the reduction in construction-related emissions, which is due to a decrease in construction of new buildings. On the other hand, emissions from goods and services have increased, partly due to a more refined calculation model. Thanks to this latest analysis, we now have an even more accurate picture of the climate impact of consumption in Espoo,” says Espoo's climate specialist Mia Johansson, who participated in the project.

The consumption-based emissions of municipalities were calculated for the third time as part of the Kulma project, conducted by Sitowise and the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke). The emissions calculation model has been improved with each round to achieve increasingly accurate results. This year, 22 municipalities participated in the project.

Why are consumption-based greenhouse gas emissions monitored?

The goal of the Paris Agreement is to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius by the end of the century. To achieve this, per capita emissions should fall to 2.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2030 and to 0.7 tonnes by 2050. In 2024, emissions among municipalities participating in the Kulma calculation ranged from 7.1 to 9.9 tonnes per capita. We still have a long way to go to reach sustainable levels.

Espoo has been a forerunner in developing a broad and increasingly detailed knowledge base on greenhouse gas emissions resulting from both municipal and resident activities. The aim is to help Espoo target its actions effectively in order to also reduce consumption-based emissions.

Municipalities can take various measures to help reduce consumption-based emissions. They can support residents in making climate-friendly choices by investing in public transport and sustainable food services, offering low-emission district heating, and through communication and education efforts.

Espoo’s carbon neutrality goal is to reduce emissions within the city’s boundaries by 80% by 2030. The development of consumption-based emissions data helps provide a broader knowledge base on greenhouse gas emissions resulting from municipal and resident activities. Territorial and consumption-based emissions calculation models are not alternatives to each other, but complementary.

Read more about Espoo’s climate goals and the monitoring of consumption-based emissions.