Circular Economy Green Deal
The City of Kuopio is committed to the national Circular Economy Green Deal (January 2025).
The Circular Economy Green Deal is a strategic commitment based on voluntary action. The Green Deal supports the objectives concerning natural resources laid down in the Circular Economy Programme.
The aim is to reduce the consumption of non-renewable natural resources and double the circular economy rate of resources and materials by 2035. Companies, industry associations, municipalities and regions can join the Circular Economy Green Deal.
Kuopio’s commitment focuses on the development of resource-wise built environments and a sustainable food system.
Resource-wise built environment
Kuopio is committed to resource efficiency in construction. The life cycle of buildings used by the city’s service production is extended by renovating them. Preserving the existing building stock is always considered the primary option instead of demolishing and building new ones. When new buildings are built, they are designed to be multi-purpose and adaptable.
Kuopio is also developing climate impact assessments in planning and construction projects. The use of recycled materials will be increased in infrastructure construction sites and other construction. The circulation of soil and other materials will be developed by improving planning and cooperation. For example, recycled materials will be used primarily in the renovation of streets and roads, which will be taken into account in the criteria for contract procurement.
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Area of action: 1.2 Preserve the existing built environment and improve utilization rates
Action: 1.2.A. Follow the resource-efficient construction hierarchy in all projects.
Participants: City of Kuopio, Mestar, Kuopas, Niiralan Kulma, Kiertokukko, Kuopion Energia
Everyone commits to:
- Existing building stock: We repair and renovate buildings and residential buildings that serve the city’s service production, and we always first investigate the possibilities of preserving buildings and structures. We examine building-specific repair methods and the use of buildings, and plan solutions that are suitable for the condition and life cycle of the buildings.
- New construction: In the design and construction of new buildings, attention is paid to ensuring that the buildings are multi-purpose and can be modified for a new purpose or moved, and that the building parts can be dismantled as separate elements. We take into account the use of recycled and demolition materials from design to construction. We use the criteria set for low-carbon construction in procurement.
The city commits to:
Zoning, land transfer and building control:
- Preserving the existing building stock is always considered as the primary alternative instead of demolition and new construction. Repairing or converting the building stock to a new use is supported by guidance.
- We strive to optimize the life cycle of buildings for the needs of service production and set site-specific goals for the life cycle of buildings.
- We encourage the use of recycled and demolition materials from design to construction (own construction sites, construction sequence).
- We develop climate impact assessment in planning and construction projects, for example by improving checklists and design guidelines and utilizing various tools.
Indicator:
Share of renovations that extend the life cycle of buildings in the budget for Facility Services construction. Unit of measurement % (€)
- Baseline (2024): 16%
- Interim target 2030: 25%
- Target 2035: 35%
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Area of action: 1.1. Planning and preparation of built environment projects leads to a circular economy
Action: 1.1.B. Smooth solutions to promote the circulation of soil and other materials
Participants: City of Kuopio, Mestar, Kuopas, Niiralan Kulma, Kiertokukko, Kuopion Vesi, Kuopion Energia
Everyone commits:
- In construction and demolition, we will improve planning and cooperation so that materials can be reused and recycled. Reuse surveys and demolition plans will be made at all large demolition sites, and demolitions will be carried out so that as much of the materials being demolished as possible are prepared for reuse, recycled or otherwise utilized as materials. In the future, this will be the case at all demolition sites.
- We will increase the use of recycled materials at all suitable sites, we will cooperate with parties that supply recycled materials, and we will carry out new experiments. In infrastructure procurement and new and renovation construction, the use of recycled materials is required, and in demolition projects, the reuse of materials is required (is one of the selection criteria).
- In construction areas, we will arrange the possibility of utilizing a mass bank. We will reduce the exchange and transportation of masses by, for example, utilizing mass stabilization.
The city commits to:
- We will enhance the coordination of masses and local reuse of masses by planning the whole already in the planning phase, during the land transfer and phasing of construction.
- We will improve advance planning and increase cooperation both within the city and with stakeholders.
- In the early stages of the planning processes, the necessary and/or surplus soil masses and materials to be demolished in the area will be examined and discussed. A paragraph on taking soil mass storage into account in the plan will also be added to the model description in the plans.
- When streets and roads are built or renovated without water supply lines, recycled materials will be used primarily (contract points will be given in contract procurement). Recycled materials will also be used in projects containing water supply lines (taking into account, for example, comprehensive economic analyses and research data).
Indicator:
Annual share of recycled materials used in infrastructure construction projects (share of concrete aggregates in aggregates used, average for the city and Mestar). Unit of measurement: % (tonnes)
- Baseline (2024): 3%
- Interim target 2030: 5%
- Target 2035: 8 %
Renewing food system
The carbon footprint of food in schools and daycare centers will be reduced by increasing the number of vegetarian and fish dishes. Nutritionally complete vegetarian dishes will increasingly be made entirely plant-based, which also reduces the need for dishes for special diets. The use of domestic fish in the city’s food services will be increased. The perspectives of climate and nature’s carrying capacity will be taken into account in the service agreement with binding targets.
Servica, which provides the city’s food services, is committed to minimizing food loss and food waste. Surplus food is sold at the locations and the flow of information and the emergency food system are being developed. The aim is to reduce the amount of food waste by 70% from the 2022 reference level. The appreciation and attractiveness of school food will be improved in cooperation with students and by developing quality.
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Area of action: 5.3. Increase the use of domestic vegetables and fish to improve resource efficiency
Action: 5.3.B. Use of plant-based and fish-based food (incl. public services & procurement), raising awareness
Participants: City of Kuopio, Servica
- We are replacing meat with vegetable and fish protein and offering children and young people tasty vegetarian food (cost-effective domestic vegetable proteins).
- We are increasing the use of domestic fish in the city’s food services.
- We are increasingly making nutritionally complete vegetarian dishes entirely plant-based, which also reduces the need for special diets.
- We are intensifying cooperation between schools and Servica, taking into account food education and nutritional recommendations. In the future, we will better take into account the climate and nature’s carrying capacity aspects in the service agreement with binding targets and indicators.
- We are monitoring the number and quality of meals that meet the criteria for the Climate Choice label.
Indicator:
Carbon footprint of a 5-week rotating menu for schools and daycare centers (average of 2 lunch options / day, second vegetarian dish), including food, drink and bread. Unit of measurement: kgCO₂e / 5-week rotation.
- Baseline (2022): 22.43
- Interim target 2030: 19.95 (- 11% from 2022 level)
- Target 2035: 19.25 (- 14% from 2022 level)
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Area of action: 5.4. Reduce food waste and the amount of natural resources used for packaging
Action: 5.4.A. Minimize the amount of food waste and food waste
Participants: City of Kuopio, Servica
- We reduce food waste.
- We monitor the amount of food waste regularly and report it at least annually in connection with the monitoring of the Viksu Kuopio program (climate and resource wisdom program).
- We sell surplus food at our locations.
- We share good practices in reducing waste widely among our locations and service units. We develop the flow of information and the emergency food system.
- We improve the appreciation and attractiveness of school food in cooperation with students, and we improve quality and also familiarize parents and decision-makers with school food.
Indicator:
Amount of food waste generated in schools and daycare centers, total serving and plate waste. Unit of measurement: grams of waste / portion
- Baseline (2022): Daycare centers 132.83 / Schools 60.26
- Interim target 2030: Daycare centers 66.42 / Schools 30.13 (- 50% of 2022 level)
- Target 2035: Daycare centers 39.85 / Schools 18.08 (- 70% of 2022 level)
Circular economy is implemented in cooperation
The measures of the Green Deal commitment are implemented by the Kuopio urban environment service area, facility services, growth and learning service area, as well as Kiertokukko, Kuopion Energia, Kuopion Student Housing, Kuopion Vesi, Mestar Kuopio, Niiralan Kulma and Servica.
The goals are in line with the climate and resource wisdom program, Viksu Kuopio, which implements the city strategy. Strengthening the circular economy curbs the overconsumption of natural resources, creates a sustainable economy and operating environment, and reduces the climate and environmental damage caused by operations.
