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angle-left Joensuu received funding to advance circular economy and carbon neutrality in the urban environment
 

Joensuu received funding to advance circular economy and carbon neutrality in the urban environment

23.06.2022 06:12

The Ministry of the Environment granted funding for 20 projects that promote climate change mitigation and circular economy in Finnish municipalities. The funding is 1,3 million in total and will be distributed to development projects that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the use of natural resources.  

The city of Joensuu received funding for HIKKA project, that aims to develop permanent operating models to consider circular economy and carbon neutrality better in the operations of the city’s Urban Environment Division. The Urban Environment Division is responsible for land use and urban environment planning, construction and maintenance, traffic planning and management of city facilities. The division has a number of activities that can  better take into account the various aspects and opportunities of circular economy and thereby advance the Carbon Neutral Joensuu 2025 goal.  

– The project promotes stronger climate and circular economy governance as well as energy and material efficiency in the Urban Environment Division and the entire Joensuu city group. As a result of the project, the carbon footprint of design, construction and maintenance will decrease and the life cycle of buildings and infrastructure will be extended, commented Jari Leinonen, the Environmental Protection Manager of the city of Joensuu.  

The aim of the project is to permanently change the operating models of the city’s Urban Environment Division, so that circular economy and carbon neutrality aspects are taken into account in all activities. During the project, the different processes of land use and urban environment planning, construction and maintenance, traffic planning and management of city facilities will be reviewed and their carbon footprint will be calculated and decreased.  

The project runs between 1.9.2022–31.8.2023. The project is funded by the Ministry of Environment (70%) and the city of Joensuu (30%), with a total funding of €100 000.