Project VILKKU strengthens Helsinki-Uusimaa’s ability for climate change adaptation. The project Visioning a climate resilient Helsinki-Uusimaa (VILKKU) aims to create the first regional vulnerability study and adaptation plan. In this joint project by the Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council and the University of Helsinki, the risks caused by climate change are also studied as related to the vulnerability of the regional business sector.
Changing climate in Helsinki-Uusimaa
Despite mitigation actions, the climate of the Helsinki-Uusimaa Region will be changing during the future decades. Due to climate change, the temperatures will rise, the precipitation will increase, the snow cover season will shorten, and the soil frost will decrease.
Adapting to the climate change means to get prepared for these changes, by actions to reduce the vulnerability and to increase the resilience to these changes.
In addition to the direct impacts, indirect and cross-border impacts play a significant role. In many areas of business, the indirect impacts are the most important. Disturbed international supply chains are an example of this phenomenon.
Possible adaptation to climate change
The aim is to identify the regional key risk factors, also to find and assess the regional adaptation needs and responsibilities. Finland’s National Climate Change Adaptation Plan 2022 acts as a basis for regional actions.
Concrete actions will be gathered into a regional adaptation plan. Adaptation actions will be identified both on a municipality and a regional level, as well as for different sectors. Municipalities are also offered support for their own adaptation plans. The adaptation will also be linked to regional forecasting and development.
Significant co-development
The university focuses on evaluating the regional vulnerability and supporting the regional adaptation based on case studies.
Various lines of business are impacted differently by weather and climate risks, but the climate change can also lead to new business possibilities.
The project VILKKU is carried on in wide cooperation with stakeholders. This project funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) continues until Autumn 2026.
Goals for regional adaptation actions
Shared understanding of impacts
The adaptation actions in Helsinki-Uusimaa create a shared view of the direct, indirect impacts and cross-border impacts. A particular focus lies on indirect and cross-border impacts. There is a wide opening of impacts and their reflections on Helsinki-Uusimaa, with its operational environment.
Assessing regional risks and vulnerability
The regional risks and vulnerability are being studied in the adaptation actions. Risk factors are opened and classified. An increased understanding is achieved of the impact mechanisms and how the risks are targeted.
Impact assessment a part of a wider forecast
The acknowledged impacts of climate change will be tightly connected to the regional forecasting. In the adaptation studies other future drivers and megatrends are taken into account via forecasting.
Find out more
Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Climate Roadmap
Helsinki-Uusimaa is aiming at climate neutrality by the year of 2030, in line with the forerunner municipalities of the region. The Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Climate Roadmap is the guideline for the climate work.
For more information, please contact:
Salla Siivonen
Project Manager
salla.siivonen@uudenmaanliitto.fi
Project VILKKU (Visioning a climate-proof Helsinki-Uusimaa), Climate change adaptation
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