Biodiversity Programme

Biodiversity

Diverse nature with its lush forests and clean lakes is Kuopio’s wealth. One of the main strategic objectives of the city of Kuopio is to be climate‑ and resource‑smart, sustainably growing, and proud of its environment. To achieve this objective, key factors have been identified, one of which is the promotion of biodiversity and the prevention of biodiversity loss.

Biodiversity is present all around us. Protected areas and natural forests, mires and water bodies are essential for the conservation of biodiversity. However, biodiversity is also found in managed environments. Urban nature forms an important entity of its own, consisting of small-scale environments shaped by human activity, such as parks and urban ponds. Biodiversity refers to the full variety of life, including the diversity of habitats, the abundance of species, and genetic variation within species.

Biodiversity forms the foundation of a healthy and pleasant living environment which provides clear economic benefits to people. Nature offers a wide range of tangible and intangible benefits, including clean air and water, food, pollination services, raw materials, energy, recreational opportunities, and well-being. Concern over the decline of biodiversity is acute at present. Biodiversity is declining rapidly worldwide. According to the Intergovernmental Science‑Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), a total of one million species are at risk of extinction globally over the coming decades. Biodiversity conservation also requires action in Finland. According to a 2019 report by the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), one in nine of Finland’s approximately 22,000 sufficiently well‑known species is classified as threatened.

Action Programme for Safeguarding Biodiversity 2024–2030

The city of Kuopio Action Programme for Safeguarding Biodiversity, known as the LUMO Programme, for 2024–2030, was approved by the City Council on 20.5.2024. The programme brings together the most important objectives and measures through which the city safeguards biodiversity within its own operations. The residents’ and stakeholders’ views were utilised at several stages during the preparation of the programme.

The programme consists of seven main objectives that guide biodiversity-related planning and implementation within the city of Kuopio.

The main objectives are:

1. The amount of urban green space increases, and ecological networks are well connected.

2. Valuable nature areas and threatened habitat types and species are preserved.

3. The status of water bodies is good, and their ecosystems are rich in biodiversity.

4. Local nature areas, cultural environments and built areas are diverse.

5. Urban forests are biodiverse and suitable for multiple uses.

6. The control of harmful invasive alien species is effective and efficient.

7. Residents of Kuopio have a strong relationship with nature, understand the value of biodiversity, and act sustainably for the benefit of their local natural environment.

In addition to the main objectives, the programme sets out detailed measures through which the city aims to achieve these objectives. Responsibility for implementing the measures lies with various municipal units, in cooperation with both internal and external partners.