Speakers at the official opening event include Virginijus Sinkevičius, EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Krista Mikkonen, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and Susanne Hecker, Chair of the European Citizen Science Association (ECSA).
“As part of the European Green Deal, the European Commission has set itself the objective of zero pollution. The participation of residents in increasing access to the surrounding environment and in nature conservation is key to recovering from the post-pandemic period. The past year has shown in a tangible way the significance of the surrounding environment for people’s well-being,” says Saara Vauramo, Programme Director of the Green Capital project.
From the point of view of citizen science, the opening event will consider how information from residents, communities, associations and companies could be increasingly used in environmental science research. The event offers not only opportunities to network, but also takes a strong stand on the problems affecting the whole planet and its population. During the day, we will discuss how we can work together to promote the objectives of zero emissions and a non-toxic environment.
“The state of the European environment has significantly improved over the past decades, but today the biggest issues relate to indirect environmental impacts through consumption that are targeted at the whole world. Europe’s leadership means taking responsibility for a much broader whole than the surrounding environment,” Vauramo says.
At the end of the opening event, young people from the cities of Lahti and Lappeenranta will reflect on the topics discussed during the day by a virtual campfire. The English-language event will be implemented through a virtual platform and is open to all participants and free of charge.
The theme of the Green Week is the EU’s zero emissions target
The EU Green Week is an annual major event of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment, bringing together environmental experts, decision-makers and students from all over Europe. The conference, traditionally organised in Brussels, will be held virtually from 1 to 4 June 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The opening event organised by Lahti will kick off the EU Green Week, which is dedicated to the EU’s zero emissions target this year. Other important initiatives of the European Green Deal, such as climate initiatives, the future chemicals strategy, and initiatives in the fields of energy, industry, mobility, agriculture, fishing, health and biodiversity, will also be addressed during the week.
Further information
Saara Vauramo
Programme Director
Lahti – European Green Capital 2021
tel. +358 44 716 1585
saara.vauramo@lahti.fi