Recipes for Systemic Change - Helsinki Design Lab

72Sustainability StudioOutcomesSummaryThree main avenues to carbon neutrality in the built environmentwere identified by the Studio: reducing demand forcarbon-intensive energy and behaviours, emphasizing therole of renewable energy sources, and making use of forests asa carbon sink. Here the goal was to pursue carbon neutralityunder a holistic definition of sustainability. For instance,although nuclear power is currently a popular low-carbonchoice, it continues to act as a counter-productive crutch toindustry, prohibiting significant innovation in sustainableenergy production and new market sectors.Finland is one of the few countries featuring a strong centralgovernment with the ability to efficiently deliver welfareand quality of life. One of the main questions is how this canbe taken advantage of in the quest to maintain current standardsof living while reigning in carbon emissions.To advance the conversation, the Studio identified threemeta-themes which specify the qualities that are necessaryfor any responses to the current carbon challenge.1. Diverse needsEvery person, building, and business has different needs,so blanket approaches to carbon neutrality that favour topdownimplementation may not be productive. A more robustunderstanding of one’s carbon tabulation is needed so thatspecific trade-offs may be leveraged—even at an individuallevel.2. UrgencyLike most of the world, Finland is already behind itscarbon emission targets for 2050. Yet there is a missing senseof urgency. Current environmental knowledge suggests thateven five years is a long time to wait for action, thus creatinga palpable sense of urgency is key to unlocking the scale ofimpact needed. Many necessary actions have a long cycle ofreturns which means they need to be pursued now.3. OpportunityA stick-based ‘guilt’ approach to sustainability is provingits limitations. New strategies need to take advantage of positivereinforcement. Market opportunities remain open forthose willing to be the first mover.