On 12-13 April 2022, the Satakunta Region, represented by the Pyhäjärvi Institute, hosted the Lodzkie Region in Finland. The main purpose of the visit was to take a closer look at some solutions that could be useful for the preparation of regional action plans. The idea of the meeting was to exchange experiences and learn about good practices of the Satakunta region in the field of sustainable development.
The main points of the meeting were the presentation of the activities of the Finnish network HINKU - an organization working for the neutrality of cities in terms of carbon dioxide emissions, and study visits to the industrial park STEP (Sustainable Energy Solutions) and the private company Clean Plastic Finland.
HINKU brings together municipalities, enterprises, citizens and experts from all over the country to create and implement solutions limiting greenhouse gas emissions. The municipalities involved in the network commit to a more intensive reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. City authorities work with business representatives, the local community, research institutes and experts to elaborate solutions that will bring economic and social benefits, as well as environmental benefits.
STEP is a joint venture in the Satakunta region founded by two large energy companies VEOLIA and PORI Energia, which provides energy services to Finnish industry with a developed partnership model. STEP supplies heat to the industrial area under its management as well as the city of Harjavalta. The STEP concept is to gain a competitive advantage: experience and know-how in the use of biomass in energy production. STEP has created the first steam heating system in the country powered by 100% agricultural products.
Clean Plastic Finland is a privately owned company that is a successful plastic recycler. The company focuses on producing high-quality recycled plastic pellets. The company's idea is to use as little energy as possible for the entire process, generate as little waste as possible, transport products in the most efficient way and recover all possible energy.
The initiatives of the Finnish Satakunta region are an excellent example of the early recognition of the necessity and potential of a sustainable economy and the consistent promotion of its principles. The experiences from the Satakunta region were also an inspiration for the Action Plan of the Lodzkie Region. In particular, it influenced the types of LCA initiatives that could be supported and funded by the Regional Operational Program.
