It is time for the Carbon-Smart Urban Green Festival! The festival begins in May and includes free exhibitions, geocaching, and a seminar presenting research results of the CO-CARBON project.
The festival season kicks off in early May with an exhibition at Think Corner, University of Helsinki, showcasing research related to carbon-smart urban green. The exhibition will be on display throughout the summer. In May, libraries in Helsinki and Hyvinkää will also host exhibitions presenting ways to promote carbon-smartness in the local environment. CO-CARBON researchers have also created geocaches related to multiple benefits of urban green.
The highlight of the festival is the seminar “Where is urban green in climate action?“ on Wednesday, May 20, 13-15, at Think Corner, University of Helsinki, where the results of the CO-CARBON research project will be presented and the role of urban green as part of cities’ climate work will be discussed. The seminar is aimed at researchers, urban planning and green sector professionals, and anyone interested in the development and decision-making of climate-smart cities.
This Carbon-Smart Urban Green Festival is the final festival organised by the CO-CARBON research project. Previous festivals were held in 2021 and 2023.
(Photo: Mikko Raskinen, Aalto-yliopisto)
Wednesday 20.5., 13-15, Think Corner Stage, University of Helsinki (Yliopistonk. 4)
Seminar: Where is urban green in climate action?
How can we accelerate the transition to a climate-neutral society and cities? What is the role of urban green in this shift?
Welcome to the CO-CARBON final seminar to hear about the key scientific results of the project! In addition, the practical Handbook for Carbon-Smart Urban Green will be published in the event. Keynote speaker Prof. Michael Christie from Aberystwyth University, UK, will reflect on the broader context of economic and social valuation of urban green spaces. Finally, the panel will discuss how to safeguard urban green and its climate benefits in a growing city.
The seminar is targeted to urban planners, researchers, landscape architects, green infrastructure professionals, and everyone interested in the development and decision-making of carbon-smart cities. The event is free of charge, but registration by 10 May is required.
Programme
Coffee and tea available for the registered participants
Facilitator: Elina Alatalo, Aalto-University
13:00 Welcome! Introducing the CO-CARBON research project | Professor Leena Järvi, University of Helsinki
13:05 Keynote: The economic and social values of urban green space: Insights from the IPBES values Assessment | Professor Michael Christie, Aberystwyth University, UK
13:30 Findings of the CO-CARBON research project
14:15 Carbon-smart urban green handbook launch | Associate Professor Ranja Hautamäki, Aalto-University
14:25 Panel discussion: How to safeguard urban green and its climate benefits in a growing city?
Panelists:
- Michael Christie, Professor, Business School, Aberystwyth University, UK
- Kaisa Mustajärvi, Development Manager, City of Tampere & Professor of Practice, University of Jyväskylä
- Liisa Kulmala, Senior Scientist and Group Leader, Finnish Meteorological Institute
- Jere Nieminen, Researcher, Entrepreneur, Future Nature Ltd
14:55 Closing of the seminar
More information:
May-September 2026
Exhibitions
Think Corner, University of Helsinki (Yliopistonkatu 4)
The exhibition presents the CO-CARBON project’s research and results, covering everything from the basic carbon cycle to carbon-smart urban planning. The exhibition opens in early May and will be on display until the end of September (note: break in July).
Libraries
The Carbon Gardening exhibition shows how each one of us can take small steps to make our own yard, apartment building yard, or local green area better at sequestering and storing carbon. The topic is explored through three themes: increasing vegetation, caring for the soil, and utilizing branches and leaves. The exhibition will be on display in May at Paloheinä, Itäkeskus, and Kannelmäki libraries, as well as at the Hyvinkää Main Library.
More information:
May 2026>
Urban green geocaches
The carbon sinks and multiple benefits of urban green can be explored during the festival by searching for CO-CARBON geocaches. The geocaches are scattered around Helsinki and showcase the city’s green areas based on scientific information.
More information:
