Jakobstad has been selected to join the Twinning Learning Programme, where towns are being paired to join forces to reach climate neutrality.  

The programme is part of the EU funded NetZeroCities project, which is designed to help cities overcome challenges in order to reach climate neutrality. The network consists of 184 cities in and outside Europe. In January 2025 a third cohort, which consists of 24 cities, including Jakobstad, joined the programme.

 “We are working towards carbon neutrality 2035, as is the goal for the Jakobstad Region and for Finland. We are currently focusing on energy efficiency and developing the infrastructure for bicycles, but we are also working on a broader scale, implementing our climate goals and measures. The Twinning Learning Programme will hopefully give us tools and best practices to move towards carbon neutrality even more efficiently”, states Elisabeth Andersson, Climate Coordinator in the Jakobstad Region.

Reykjavik as Partner

Cities with similar challenges and pursuing similar solutions related to their emissions have been matched and will share their insights across domains. Jakobstad is collaborating with Reykjavik over 17 months on a joint pursuit of learning and innovation. In the programme Reykjavik is a pilot city, which gives Jakobstad an opportunity to learn about their solutions for innovative climate practices. The towns that are part of the NetZeroCities project will also have access to support from world-class practitioners and experts to help them achieve their climate goals.  At the end of the programme Jakobstad will apply the core lessons, best practices, and innovations of the programme promoting its path towards climate neutrality.

Read more about the Twinning Learning Programme: https://netzerocities.eu/twinning-learning-programme/

More information: Johan Lithén, Development Manager, tel. 044 785 1653, johan.lithen@jakobstad.fi