According to the study, the most significant nature footprint in Lahti’s procurements comes from investments, food, ICT services and equipment, and heating. With regard to the regional nature footprint, the study noted that greenhouse gas emissions caused the majority of the harm to the world’s nature.
How Can the Results Be Utilized?
LUT University’s study can be used to improve the city’s procurement processes by comparing different services and products in terms of their impact on nature. This comparison may lead to choosing a service or product that is less harmful to nature.
– It would be beneficial to update the procurement criteria continuously as new information on the nature impacts of various products and product categories becomes available, says Laura Vartiainen from LUT University, one of the researchers behind the study.
Lahti is also developing nature footprint calculations as a tool for land use planning.
Impact of food procurement on nature
The study specifically examined the nature footprint of the procurements by Päijät-Häme Meal Services. The most significant impacts from food items came from dairy products, red meat, and the category of fruits, berries, and nuts. The production method and country of origin significantly affect a product’s nature footprint; for example, according to the calculation models, an organic banana used by Päijät-Häme Meal Services has a smaller nature footprint than a conventionally produced banana.
– Developing new, tasty recipes is important. Our goal is already to reduce the use of red meat; we are replacing dairy products with plant-based fat preparations, and we are developing plant-based foods, explains Jukka Turta, product development manager at Päijät-Häme Meal Services.
What Else Is Happening in Lahti’s Nature Work?
Lahti aims to achieve nature positivity by 2030. Nature positivity means that biodiversity increases rather than declines. A roadmap of concrete measures is currently being developed to take steps toward nature positivity, and this roadmap will be submitted for decision-making in March.
– We are influencing biodiversity across various parts of the city organization—and in the future, even more broadly. In addition, we have brought together an excellent group of stakeholders in our nature work, says Hanna Mattila, project manager from the City of Lahti.