In order to expand the share of residents participating in municipal decision-making, the city of Helsinki in Finland randomly invited 5000 residents to form a climate panel. The panel is discussing ways in which the City can achieve its transport emissions reduction targets. Representatives from the City of Helsinki’s Elderly Citizens, Disabled and Youth Councils were also invited to the panel.
“The City of Helsinki has studied effective transport emission reduction measures that enable us to achieve our carbon neutrality goals,” said climate director Hanna Wesslin. “As part of the preparation, we invited city residents to a panel to assess the impact of climate actions on their daily lives and to consider how the transition to low-emission transport could be implemented in a fair way.”
After meeting four times, five themes emerged: the development of public transport; the improvement of winter maintenance; the development of the city structure; improving the conditions of bicycle transport; and how to take into account the need for a car in the implementation of environmental zones.
The panel emphasized that in the change to zero-emission transport, safety must be taken into account extensively, as well as the needs of different people and special groups, such as the disabled, the chronically ill and the elderly. They stressed the importance of involving different groups as part of the planning of decisions that affect them.
Another area of discussion was the needs of those in need of the use of a car, including: taxis; disability taxis and other transport services; home delivery of food and goods; transport to health care; and car transport needed by interpreters, other assistants and support services. It was felt that such groups must be given the opportunity to drive internal combustion engine cars or a longer transition period for emission-free driving.
“The panel provides a backstop for decision-makers, as the statement includes the weighed view of the citizens. The panelists hope to hear later how environmental issues in transport have progressed in decision-making,” said Pyry Luhtanen, who participated in the panel.
Panelists were compensated EUR 200 (~$220 USD) in taxable income, in order for them to arrange for child care or otherwise eliminate financial hurdles to participating.