Preparedness and adaptation to climate change

The effects of climate change are already apparent in Tampere, and they are expected to intensify in the future. While reducing climate emissions remains the top priority in climate action, we must also adapt to and prepare for changing climate and environmental conditions.

How does climate change affect Tampere?

The city’s growth and densification increase its vulnerability to the effects of heat waves and heavy rainfall, for example, and thus the need to actively adapt to changing climate conditions. Stormwater flooding and heat waves particularly affect the center of Tampere. On the other hand, the agricultural and forestry-dominated areas in northern Tampere are more vulnerable to the effects of storms and drought, for example.  

Among city residents, most vulnerable to the risks posed by extreme weather events are young children, the elderly, and people with generally reduced functional capacity or mobility, as well as low-income individuals, linguistic minorities, and the homeless. 

Climate risks are assessed in terms of how vulnerable people are to the effects of storms, slippery conditions, and heat waves, and how well they can adapt to exceptional conditions. For example, for an elderly person or someone who uses mobility aids, heavy snowfall and increasingly slippery conditions can mean spending less time outdoors and staying at home. 

Preparedness and adaptation to climate change prevent harmful effects

Adaptation to climate change refers to actions aimed at reducing the harmful effects of climate change in the long term.

Examples of adaptation include managing increasing rainfall through water-retention structures such as ponds and wetlands; designing buildings to withstand future weather conditions; and making changes to road maintenance practices so that they accommodate new weather conditions. All green spaces, from parks to street verges, as well as diverse vegetation of varying heights, are important for stormwater management and mitigating the effects of heatwaves.  

The sooner we adapt, the less uncontrollable damage will occur. The later we act, the more costly adaptation will be, both economically and in human terms.

Preparing for climate change, in turn, improves our ability to cope with acute disruptions or emergencies that climate change may cause. The city, for example, has plans for how to respond during storms, floods, and heat waves. Improving the readiness of emergency services and healthcare is the responsibility of the welfare sector. 

Adapting to climate change requires cooperation among all city departments and the active participation of residents and businesses. Tampere has been implementing various adaptation measures for a long time, but efforts to centrally coordinate and consolidate them began in 2022. Climate change adaptation and preparedness are carried out in collaboration with the city’s risk management; the probability and severity of risks are determined, as well as how the risk is managed.  

The key objectives and actions of Tampere’s climate work have been compiled into the Climate Neutral Tampere 2030 roadmap. Measures to reduce biodiversity loss have been compiled into the Tampere Biodiversity (LUMO) program. Climate change and biodiversity loss are intertwined crises.

Each service area of the city is responsible for the actions it has proposed in the roadmap and program, and the work is coordinated by the Climate Policy and Environmental Protection Unit. You can track the progress of these actions using Tampere’s Climate and Environment Watch.

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