As a Green Leaf Winner for 2026, the City of Vaasa proves how close cooperation can drive genuine progress toward carbon neutrality. The city engages companies, businesses, universities, and residents in creating an integrated ecosystem where shared research, innovation, and local action move the region steadily toward its carbon-neutral goal. Building on this solid foundation of collaboration, Vaasa is promoting carbon neutrality efforts through the Vaasa Climate Commitment Carbon Neutrality Ecosystem project (2025–2026).
The Vaasa Climate Commitment Carbon Neutrality Ecosystem project (2025-2026) aims to involve businesses and educational institutions in the region in achieving the carbon neutrality target. Moreover, this project aims to create an ecosystem between the city, educational institutions and businesses to promote the measures required by the carbon neutrality target. This project will create an ecosystem that will allow a more systematic cooperation utilising the higher education RDI skills and the young talents for the developmental needs of both the city and businesses in the region. The project receives funding from the Regional Council of Ostrobothnia, Sustainable urban development ecosystem agreement (ERDF) and it is coordinated by the City of Vaasa in cooperation with its project partners Vaasa Region Development Company (VASEK), Vaasa University of Applied Sciences (VAMK) and University of Vaasa.
This project will create an ecosystem that will allow a more systematic involvement of RDI experts and students from higher education institutions in solving carbon neutrality development challenges for both the city and businesses in the region. At the same time, students will be better equipped to integrate permanently into the region’s labour market. Vaasa’s strong culture of cooperation will be highlighted and harnessed to promote carbon neutrality through the project’s measures. An important overarching theme of the project is to show that we are a major energy technology development region that is promoting carbon neutrality internationally.
Alongside this ecosystem project and the Climate Commitment initiative, Vaasa continues to strengthen its sustainability work through the same carbon-neutral vision guided by a strong commitment to sustainable development, the city is also preparing a Circular Economy Green Deal with the state to promote resource efficiency and a low-carbon economy, while its participation in the National Energy Efficiency Agreement for Municipalities further supports efforts to enhance energy performance across local operations.
These strategic commitments create a solid foundation for Vaasa’s broader carbon-neutral journey. Building on this, the city is developing an integrated energy and knowledge ecosystem where universities, research institutions, and companies collaborate to transform policy goals into innovation and impact. Vaasa’s carbon neutrality efforts extend beyond local cooperation. The city is part of international networks and projects that share best practices and promote cross-border innovation in renewable energy and sustainable urban development. Through joint initiatives with Nordic and European partners, Vaasa strengthens its position as a pioneering city in climate action and energy transition.
EnergyVaasa – The Nordic Hub for Energy Technology
At the heart of Vaasa’s climate impact is its ability to connect the ability of the energy related business cluster with the innovative capacity of local higher education institutions. The Energy Academy is an existing cooperation model between universities and leading companies in the Vaasa region. EnergyAcademy is designed to increase the appeal of the area to students and graduates as well as to create better connections between working life, RDI and young talents. Currently EnergyAcademy activities involve universities active in Vaasa: University of Vaasa, Vaasa University of Applied Sciences VAMK, Novia University of Applied Sciences, Hanken School of Economics, University of Helsinki and Åbo Akademi University. These institutions collaborate with the city and local companies through RDI (research, development, and innovation) projects that explore renewable energy, energy storage, smart grids, and circular economy solutions. VAMK and the University of Vaasa collaborate through student-driven innovation projects, sustainability research, and partnerships with industry to find practical solutions for carbon reduction. This collaboration not only accelerates the city’s transition but also equips young talents with the skills to lead sustainable change in the future.
Circular Solutions and Carbon Utilization
In addition to the energy related solutions, also materials influence carbon neutrality. Circularity lies at the core of Vaasa’s carbon neutrality ecosystem as well as smart energy related solutions. An organisation in the forefront of the carbon neutrality development is Westenergy Ltd., a regional waste-to-energy company that uses not only bottom ash for making cement, bricks and road tar but also converts non-recyclable waste into energy used for district heating and electricity in the Vaasa region. Although the process emits CO₂, the company has turned this challenge into an opportunity. The company captures the emitted CO₂ and sells it to an industrial gas company, where the carbon dioxide is purified and reused for industrial and food applications. This innovative approach closes the loop on emissions, proving how even unavoidable waste emissions can become a resource in a functioning circular economy.
Empowering Organisations and Individuals
The success of the carbon neutrality ecosystem also depends on active participation from businesses and residents. Local organisations are encouraged to join the Vaasa Climate Commitment, which helps businesses assess their carbon footprint, plan emission reduction measures, and share results transparently. At the same time, citizens are engaged through educational campaigns, energy efficiency programs, and community projects promoting sustainable lifestyles.
The ongoing Vaasa Climate Commitment Carbon Neutrality Ecosystem project (2025-2026) will build an ecosystem and develop ecosystem-driven operating models that will enable higher education students to be more systematically involved in solving the development challenges related to carbon neutrality for both the city and regional companies. At the same time, it will improve the students’ conditions for permanent integration into the working life of the region. Seven international students from VAMK’s Energy Technology training program already participated in the launch of the climate challenge and interviews with companies at the Energy Week event held in Vaasa in March 2025.
At the starting phase of the project, the needs of companies and organizations related to the carbon neutrality ecosystem and the goals of climate work will be studied in more detail. Higher education students and student groups will be involved in a needs-based and multidisciplinary way in strengthening the knowledge base for carbon neutrality work, for example through course and project assignments or final thesis topics.
Vaasa’s approach shows that achieving carbon neutrality is not a faraway goal, but a continuous process built on shared vision, collaboration, and innovation. With its strong energy ability, academic involvement, and circular economy mindset, the city continues to inspire others in Finland and beyond. As the Carbon Neutrality Ecosystem project progresses, Vaasa moves closer to its goal showing that together, communities can create lasting change for a sustainable future.
