RESPONSE brings together 8 cities who are active signatories of the Covenant of Mayors (CoM) for Climate and Energy Initiative and share a common vision for accelerating the decarbonisation of their territories, strengthening their capacity to adapt to unavoidable climate change impacts and allowing citizens to access secure, sustainable and affordable energy.
During RESPONSE, the two Lighthouse Cities (LHs) of Turku and Dijon will advance already existing city platforms to further support the operation of a smart and resilient city in the context of climate adaptation and safety risks, supporting services such as smart diagnostics (e.g. detect the risk of urban heat islands) and disaster management (due to heat waves, power shortcuts) or “perturbations” (public events, demonstrations), by sending targeted alerts to their citizens. In parallel the two LHs will share their know-how to less advanced cities – the Fellow Cities (FCs).
About
According to Future of Today Institute’s report 2019, Turku was ranked as 7th smartest city in the world. The city aims at being resource-wise by 2040. Turku strives to prevent geographical segregation and social exclusion, diversify its economic structure and improve the employment situation, make broadly available digital services, provide convenient and sustainable transport solutions as well as urban culture. With over 190,000 residents and estimated population growth of almost 20 000 new inhabitants by 2040, Turku is the sixth largest city and the third largest urban area in Finland.
Website: turku.fi
On June 11th, 2018 Turku approved its sustainable energy and climate action plan 2029 which includes climate change mitigation and adaptation plans. The city strategic vision is a carbon neutral city area by 2029. This objective is one of the most ambitious in the world, and Turku is well on its way towards achieving it. In order to meet its goal, Turku strives to reduce greenhouse gases by 80 % compared to the 1990 level by year 2029. This target will be reached through milestones that are set for each council term: by 2021, reducing emissions by 50 % compared to the 1990 level; by 2025, reducing emissions by at least 65-70 %; and finally, by 2029 at the latest, reaching carbon neutrality and entirely compensating for any remaining emissions left. The heat, cold, steam and electricity used in the Turku area will be produced in a carbon neutral manner at the latest in 2029 (considering compensations). The use of coal for energy will be phased out already in 2025. Oy Turku Energia – ABO Energi AB the municipal energy utility company, committed to reach the share of renewable energy of district heat at 65 % in 2021, and the share of renewable energy of electricity and heat sold to 80 % in 2025.
About
Dijon is located in Eastern France and is the capital of Burgundy Franche Comté Region. Dijon is an attractive metropolis with 250,000 inhabitants, composed of 23 cities, the biggest of which (Dijon), counts more than 155,000 inhabitants. Famous for its culinary specialities, Dijon has always been a wine-growing town whereas the vineyards of Burgundy, being more than 2,000 years old, are included in the World Heritage List of UNESCO.
Website: dijon.fr
Dijon Metropolis (DM) is highly committed to achieve the necessary energy transition. In 2017, the renewable energy produced within DM increased by 83% since 2010 reaching to 380 GWh/year. The city of Dijon was one of the first public authorities to join the Covenant of Mayors. The DM’s SEAP, was adopted in 2011 and applies to 23 municipalities. In 2018, Dijon has signed the new Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, according to which a short-term goal of reducing GHG emissions by 40% until 2030, and a long-term goal of being carbon neutral by 2050, has been set. In 2019, Dijon voted new local climate and energy objectives including reduction of GHG emissions by 95%; improving EE by 59% and increasing the share of RES by 69%.
View the presentation by Metropole Dijon response.metropole-dijon.fr