Lahti Region Environmental Service The 31 of March, 2009 LAHTI REGIONS EXPERIENCES IN SUSTAINABILITY MANAGEMENT

Lahti Region Environmental Service The 31 of March, 2009 Short History of Sustainability Management in Lahti (Lahti region) - Several environmental programs since late -70s - Lahti Environmental Forum started 1993 and resulted to Lahti Agenda 21 in 1996, still ongoing - First Environmental Policy of City Council in First modern Environmental Management System based on ISO framework in 1996, contribution of the City Organization in Lahti Agenda 21 - Several projects in developing EMS and promoting sustainable development since Signing Aalborg Commitments in October Shared (including municipalities of Hollola and Nastola) Environmental Policy & Strategy in winter ACs Baseline Review preparation from June 2008 – May 2009

Lahti Region Environmental Service The 31 of March, 2009 Notes for sustainability approach in Lahti region Regional approach in planning supports sustainability; e.g. –Prevents competition between municipalities about new inhabitants and private companies -> Otherwise may result in costly and both ecologically and socially harmful solutions Highly sectoral administration does not always meet the demand of long term sustainability or even welfare of the citizens –sustainability planning brings needed process orientation in governance and management systems -> increases co-operation and integration in administration Sustainability planning urges the need of comprehensive impact assessment Severe challenges (e.g. Climate change) to meet –traditional local policy making and public planning are often inefficient in solving these complex issues

Lahti Region Environmental Service The 31 of March, 2009 Benefits of sustainability approach in Lahti A comprehensive approach to general welfare –Focus on e.g. better involvement of citizens More effective supply of better quality public services –In the face of scarce resources Better tools for governance and management –Administrative challenges, complexity –Public / private partnerships Long-term strategic management and more co-operation –SD coming into the next Lahti Strategy?

Lahti Region Environmental Service The 31 of March, 2009 What next? -Completion of AC baseline review -Involvement of politicians, citizens and other stake holders -> Setting the targets of SD management and creating the action plan = The road map of sustainability management in Lahti