Helsinki is investing heavily in the green transition, which means transitioning to an ecologically sustainable economy. An ecologically sustainable economy relies on low-carbon solutions that promote the circular economy and biodiversity as well as the sustainable use of natural resources.
The green transition is not just an environmental objective, as it also offers opportunities for companies to develop sustainable and competitive solutions. Nowadays companies are increasingly aware of sustainability issues, and many companies see the green transition as a path to business success as interest in environmentally-friendly products and services continues to grow.
A new team to support innovation and business cooperation
In autumn 2024, Business Helsinki’s Innovation Services established a new team that focuses on the green transition and new technologies. The team aims to support innovation, strengthen business cooperation, act as a testbed and develop the operating environments of companies.
“What Helsinki, Finland and the Nordic countries have in common is our commitment to developing clean and responsible solutions. I believe that this is an asset for our companies on the global market and also one of the reasons why our green transition team was set up,” says Chief Expert Mira Jarkko from the City of Helsinki, who leads the team.
Promoting the circular economy in construction is a strategic priority
Helsinki's new City Strategy states that promoting the circular economy in construction is one of the city’s top business policy priorities. The City Strategy emphasises the role that the circular economy in construction plays in sustainable urban development and underlines that Helsinki should be a pioneer in accelerating building solutions that support the circular economy.
“The green transition is not just a shift to renewable energy, but also an essential development path for the use of materials, the circular economy and the preservation of biodiversity. It is about saving and using natural resources efficiently so that as much as possible is made from as little as possible,” Jarkko continues.
Learn more about Helsinki’s testbed activities – and sign your company up!
Testbed Helsinki supports growth and development by offering companies and research, development and innovation actors a wide range of opportunities to test and develop new products and services in a real urban environment.
Read more about the green transition and Helsinki’s testbed activities on Testbed Helsinki’s website(Link leads to external service) . Companies and RDI actors can pitch the testing of their solutions to Helsinki via the Testbed Helsinki website.