Lahti is Finland’s leading environmental city and one of Europe’s pioneers of sustainable development
Our story as an environmental city began with the restoration of Lake Vesijärvi in the 1970s. Since then, we have implemented numerous small and large environmental actions and emerged as one of Europe’s most progressive environmental cities. Our work continues with new and bold initiatives in close collaboration with universities, businesses and residents.
Lahti had the honour of being the European Green Capital in 2021. We are also proud participants in the EU Cities Mission, where we are one of a hundred European climate-neutral and smart cities. Our goal is to become the first of Finland’s major cities to achieve climate neutrality.
Story of Lahti
City of Makers
It all started with cleaning up Lake Vesijärvi, and it has progressed to personal carbon trading today with a carbon-neutral daily life in the future. We have discovered solutions for environmental challenges and made Lahti a leading environmental city and the European Green Capital together.
As most Europeans live in cities the size of Lahti, we set an excellent example to an enormous number of people.
Makers
Climate-neutral Lahti
Lahti is Finland's leading environmental city and a pioneer in climate action: we have already abandoned the use of coal, and our goal is to become a climate-neutral city, the first among major cities in Finland.
Read moreThe green city belongs to everyone
We want everyone to feel like they are living in the green city! In Lahti, the residents actively participate in sustainable urban development, and together we make our city even more pleasant and functional.
Read moreTowards waste-free circular economy
Let's keep the good going! Thanks to the long-term development of waste management, we have created new types of jobs in circular economy businesses, and already 99 per cent of household waste is being utilized for beneficial purposes.
Read moreNature positive
In Lahti, we shift human impact on nature from negative to positive. We aim to produce more benefits than harm for nature. Thus, our impact on nature is positive.
Read moreCity of Sustainable Events
Lahti is a world-famous city of sports and culture where the environment is valued. Lahti will host the 2029 FIS World Ski Championships with a concept that enables the organization of a major winter sports event in an economically, environmentally, and socially responsible manner.
A Living Way of Learning
Lahti’s environmental education programme brings local nature to life for all primary school pupils. In a recent pilot, two classes explored a nearby forest, discovering the wonders of the outdoors while learning everyday school subjects in a whole new way.
The theme year of sustainable mobility encourages reflection on our transportation choices
No matter where we live, our income, or our past habits, we can all make our mobility slightly more sustainable.
Translating the silent dialogue of nature
Ahti Pulli is writing his master's thesis in ecology and evolutionary biology on the diversity of meadow ecosystems. Pulli started his degree course amid the coronavirus pandemic when birds became a source of comfort for him and gave him an escape from a life of isolation. Pulli hopes that urban planners, in particular, will discover his thesis when it is published next spring.