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Green Leaf a good indicator of Lappeenranta’s future climate
Lappeenranta, an over 70 000-resident city in Southeast Finland, has been recognised for its commitment to developing climate work.
AdobeFinland’s Lappeenranta and Bulgaria’s Gabrovo have received the European Commission’s European Green Leaf Award, a recognition given annually to up to two cities with 20 000–100 000 inhabitants for commitment to better environmental outcomes.
Ilkka Räsänen, the environmental director at the City of Lappeenranta, described the award as a great recognition of the steps taken by the city toward its carbon-neutrality goal for 2030.
“This is an important sign to us that we have done things right. However, we must still continue our efforts to mitigate climate change more effectively together with residents, businesses and LUT University,” he commented.
Lappeenranta intends to use the 75 000-euro prize attached to the award to develop new initiatives to support climate and energy actions, foster biodiversity, and share the best practices introduced in the city and the wider region of South Karelia, according to Mayor Kimmo Jarva.
Next year, he revealed, the over 70 000-resident city will organise a wide range of events, including international webinars and conferences, with different stakeholders, launch restoration projects at natural sites and introduce a display panel providing water-related information at Lappeenranta Harbour.
“This gives a boost to our goal of becoming a national and international green ambassador. This award enables and promotes the accomplishment of environmentally friendly actions now and in the future,” he said.