Climate Changer Antti Tamminen – working together for a green future and for climate
Turku’s goal is to be carbon neutral by 2029 which is when the city will be 800 years old. The City of Turku has received recognition for its climate efforts from the European Commission regarding, for example, co-operation with the local businesses and organisations. Regional co-operation is conducted e.g. within Turun Ilmastojoukkue (climate team) which is a network aimed at local businesses and communities. Its purpose is to make the fight against climate change visible, effective and communal.
Started at the beginning of February, the Climate Changers campaign is the face of climate efforts in Turku and brings out everyday climate promoting activities in Turku. Climate Changers work in companies and organisations that are committed to helping the City of Turku to become carbon neutral by 2029.
One of the Climate Changers is the Port of Turku’s electrician Antti Tamminen who has through his work input helped the Port reduce its emissions within his own professional competence.
Electrician Antti: fighter against climate change
Antti Tamminen works as an electrician in the electrical services under the Operative Department in the Port of Turku. He has been building charging infrastructure in the port area for the Port’s vehicles: trucks, six vans and four passenger cars, as well as the own electric vehicles of the personnel and customers. He has also replaced the old light fixtures on outdoor areas and in warehouse halls with energy-efficient LED lights and intelligent control systems.
The working environment is interesting and varying, and each day is different. Antti’s duties cover a broad range. He does everything including e.g. electricity supply to vessels and electrical installations in the office premises. In short, his work covers all tasks related to electricity in the port area.
Climate goals and their effect
”The Port is part of the City of Turku’s climate team and is committed to the City of Turku’s goal to be carbon neutral in its own operations by 2029. In the near future, I will hopefully get to participate in implementing a shore-side electricity supply system for vessels arriving in the Port of Turku.”
Antti enjoys doing things with his hands and feels that his work is meaningful, because at the same time he is able to fight climate change.
“I like my job and working with my hands, and what could be better than being able to fight climate change and working for a good cause while doing it.”
Vision of carbon neutral Turku
Antti hopes that public transport services will be electrified in both road and sea transports. He wants the future generations to be able to grow up in a city that is healthy in terms of climate.
“It would be great to see public transport services electrified in both road and sea transports. If I ever have children of my own, it would be nice that they could grow up in a city that is healthy in terms of climate.”
Climate-sustainable work and everyday life
Antti thinks that the Port of Turku has been investing in work for climate for a long time, and environmentally sound choices are a natural part of everyday work.
“In my everyday life I’m planning to buy a more climate-friendly car and I use my company bicycle actively for moving around, especially in the summertime. In addition, I recycle waste and things at home as much as possible.”
Antti’s work and commitment to fighting climate change serve as examples on how each of us can have a positive effect on their environment. His input is a valuable part of the Port of Turku’s climate efforts and building of a sustainable future.
Text: Heli Kaijansalo
Photos: Markku Koivumäki
The Port of Turku is committed to reducing the environmental impacts of port operations and promoting carbon neutrality as part of the City of Turku’s climate plan.
- The Port’s environmental programme focuses on reducing emissions into air, improving energy-efficiency, and securing the well-being of marine nature. The goal is to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of port operations by 40% from 2008–2025 and to be carbon neutral by 2029.
- The Port invests in the use of renewable energy and electrification of operations, and the electricity we use is produced through carbon-neutral methods.
- The Port’s vehicle stock has been updated with electric cars, and renewable diesel is used in the vehicles which cannot be replaced with electric vehicles.
- The Port of Turku works actively in co-operation with different stakeholders and participates in many environmentally important projects, such as creating a green maritime corridor between Turku and Stockholm together with the Ports of Stockholm and Viking Line.
