The goal of the carbon neutrality work is to reduce emissions by 80 per cent by the year 2030. Achieving this goal requires the commitment of the entire organization and a diverse range of actions – every effort counts. In this section, you will learn about the emission reduction goal and the most important ways of achieving it. You will also get to study how the carbon footprint is formed and become familiar with the main terms and concepts related to carbon neutrality work.
Carbon neutrality is a common goal of the entire church
Our carbon neutrality work is based on the Carbon Neutral Church 2030 strategy of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland (summary in English). Our carbon neutrality roadmap, completed in 2024, supports the church’s shared strategy and guides the actions taken by parishes and shared services in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We aim to reduce emissions by at least 80 per cent from the 2019 level by the year 2030.
Listen to a motivational speech by Juha Ristimäki, Director of the Ecclesiastical Community of Helsinki. The video is X:XX minutes long.
The carbon neutrality work is also based on studies of the current state of our greenhouse gas emissions, as well as calculations and estimates. The staff took part in setting common goals in the autumn of 2024 – for example, by responding to surveys, participating in workshops, and bringing up ideas.
Achieving the carbon neutrality goal and sub-goals requires everyone working together. In the coming years, emissions should decrease by about 14 per cent each year. This can only be achieved if the carbon neutrality work becomes part of all the activities of parishes and shared services. The staff of the parishes and shared services work together – not everyone needs to do everything, but we will make carbon neutrality a natural part of our everyday work.
An 80 per cent reduction in emissions requires changes across all operations
The goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent is ambitious.
The Helsinki Parish Union aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions primarily by reducing consumption. Secondarily, the aim is to reduce the emissions of that consumption.
In terms of emissions from energy consumption, the targets can be achieved by improving energy efficiency and reducing unnecessary spaces that are used less often. In addition, the measures planned by local district heating companies to reduce district heating emissions will support the achievement of our emission reduction goals related to energy consumption.
The parish union already uses electricity produced from renewable energy sources. We have also partially transitioned, and are in the process of transitioning, to the use of renewable fuels. This applies to fuels for vehicles and equipment as well as fuels for crematoriums. In buildings where oil heating is currently used as a backup to geothermal heating, we are also switching from fossil oil to renewable fuels.
We should also for example reduce purchases and ensure that remaining purchases acknowledge climate aspects. Achieving the goals requires collaboration and commitment from the entire organization. The different methods are explained in more detail in other sections of the course.
If the measures to reduce emissions are not enough, emission offsetting is used as a last resort. Offsetting refers to compensating emissions, for example by supporting projects that remove an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
Video: Development steps of the carbon neutrality roadmap
If you want to hear more about how the carbon neutrality roadmap was created, Elina Hienonen sheds light on the process in the following video. The duration of the video is 2:30 minutes.
Emissions are monitored by using a greenhouse gas balance
The emission reduction goal set for our carbon neutrality work is based on the carbon footprint of our operations. It describes the emissions caused by our organization’s operations and how much our operations contribute to global warming. In addition to calculating energy use, mobility, procurement and other emissions and studying the distribution of emissions, the impacts of various emission reduction measures can also be compared when calculating the carbon footprint.
It is important to determine the amount of greenhouse gases generated by different activities in order to identify the largest emitters and steer emission reduction measures in the right direction. This ensures that we make environmental actions that truly matter and have a real impact. The carbon footprint also helps us keep track of how far we still are from our goal.
Mathematics of emission calculations
In practice, calculating emissions is a series of multiplications and additions. Different emission sources, such as energy consumption, transport, and procurements are considered in the calculations. Emission factors are used to estimate how many kilograms of carbon dioxide a specific source’s global warming effect is equivalent to.
When the emissions produced by a single unit, such as a kilometre driven by a passenger car or one euro spent on service procurements, are known (i.e. the emission factor), this figure can be multiplied by the amount acquired, transported, or consumed. When the emissions of all the things included in the scope of the calculation have been calculated in this way, the result is the carbon footprint of the entire organization.
The results of the calculation are usually presented as carbon dioxide equivalents (CO₂e), so that the effects of different greenhouse gases can be compared. The most well-known greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide (CO₂), but an even more common greenhouse gas in the world is water vapour. Other greenhouse gases to consider include methane and nitrous oxide, which are particularly related to land use and agriculture, and their global warming effects are many times greater than that of carbon dioxide.
Current emissions and the sustainability gap
The emissions of the Helsinki Parish Union have been calculated using various indicators and calculators in the years 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. The carbon neutrality roadmap is based on the greenhouse gas emissions of 2023. In 2023, the activities of the parish federation generated a total of approximately 13,940 tonnes of CO2e.
To reduce emissions, we have already…
- given up oil heating in our properties
- switched to electricity produced from renewable energy sources
- reduced energy consumption by improving energy efficiency during renovations and maintenance
- lowered indoor temperatures to promote energy savings
- given up unnecessary properties, which has reduced overall emissions
- financially supported commuting by public transport and decided to support the purchases of company bicycles
- invested in recycling and made procurements that use circular economy materials
There is a so-called sustainability gap between the planned emission reduction goal and chosen emission reduction measures. We know that the fight against climate change requires rapid emission reductions, but current measures are not sufficient. In fact, the measures that have been chosen currently will achieve an emission reduction of about 50 per cent. However, the direction is right – and that is the most important thing. The work being done now will not be wasted but will build a foundation for long-term change.
To achieve the 80 % reduction goal, a wide range of additional measures would be needed, for example:
– 9 %
Reducing emissions by half from food, postal and courier services, printing and advertising, as well as other materials, supplies, and procurements compared to the 2023 level. Emission reduction 1360 t CO2e.
-13 %
Nearly carbon-neutral construction, repair, and maintenance services. Emission reduction 2950 t CO2e.
– 3 %
Zero emissions in the following categories: cleaning products, supplies, cleaning services, staff nutrition services, transport services, waste management, as well as maintenance services for machinery, equipment, and equipment. Emission reduction 490 t CO2e.
If the above-mentioned measures cannot be implemented (and the carbon neutrality goal is not compromised), additional measures with significant climate benefits will be needed. In addition, the amount of carbon sinks in the parish union’s forests and cemeteries must be significantly increased.
What does offsetting mean and why is it our last resort?
In striving for carbon neutrality, the most important thing is to reduce emissions, replace practices that are harmful to the climate with better ones, and maximize the climate benefits of our operations in every possible way.
Offsetting emissions, also known as compensating, is only our last resort on the path to carbon neutrality. For financial reasons alone, offsets should only be used in situations where it is not technically or financially sensible to reduce emissions by other means. In this case, we can try to “offset” the remaining emissions, for example, by supporting projects that help grow and protect natural carbon stocks. Offsetting can also be done through emissions trading and regulatory mechanisms, such as buying emission allowances from the market or acquiring certificates of origin for energy.
Offsetting is not a simple solution. It involves multiple criteria and choices that affect the credibility and effectiveness of the measures. Therefore, it is important to understand what offsetting means, how it works, and why offsetting alone is not enough to achieve carbon neutrality.
Offsetting – indulgence trade or climate action?
Learn more about the different perspectives and ways of offsetting in Finnwatch’s report: https://www.finnwatch.org/fi/julkaisut/anekauppaa-vai-ilmastotekoja (in Finnish)
The carbon neutrality roadmap states that offsetting and its developing methods are monitored annually. By 2030, a decision will be made on how the remaining emissions can be offset in an economically sensible and responsible way. Shared services are already offsetting all emissions caused by flights.