Roadmap to Resource Wisdom

The strategic programme was developed in response to biodiversity loss, which threatens ecosystem stability, and the proliferation of invasive species. Climate change accelerates these pressures, and habitat fragmentation further isolates species.

The strategic programme aims at safeguarding and promoting biodiversity primarily by monitoring the state of biodiversity and raising awareness. As land use (notably construction of housing, commercial spaces and infrastructure) is a major driver of biodiversity loss, the strategic programme also seeks to address this threat by encouraging practices that minimise ecological harm in planning and development processes. It seeks to strengthen the resilience of forest and marsh ecosystems, restoring waterways, and maintaining well-connected networks of open spaces to enhance ecological stability. Controlling invasive species and preventing environmental degradation are key to sustaining long-term ecosystem health.

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Vantaa’s nature positivity goal is defined so that the city’s activities produce more benefits than harm to nature, thereby improving the overall state of the natural environment in Vantaa. Vantaa's Roadmap to Resource Wisdom outlines its long-term environmental goals, focusing on a circular economy, renewable energy, and environmental responsibility among residents and businesses. It progresses through six key areas: urban structure and mobility, carbon-neutral energy, material lifecycle and circular economy, biodiversity, responsible governance, and carbon sinks with compensation measures.

The promotion of biodiversity is part of the implementation of the “Vantaa is ecologically sustainable” theme under the Roadmap to Resource Wisdom. Moreover, under its 2021-2023 Council Agreement, the city of Vantaa committed to preserving biodiversity and monitoring the state of biodiversity.  

In 2022, Vantaa added a biodiversity-focused lane “Diverse Nature” to its updated Roadmap to Resource Wisdom. This lane's implementation plans will form the city's biodiversity programme, supported by a comprehensive plan in 2023. The city systematically applies green factor requirements in urban planning to secure green spaces and support ecological connectivity. A green structure development snapshot guides preservation and restoration of green corridors. All zoning plans include biodiversity and climate impact assessments.

Since 2015, the city has run annual nature themes to engage residents, offering guided activities and excursions. The 2022-2023 theme focused on birds, featuring birdwatching trips, workshops, efforts to control invasive species and a photo competition. Vantaa is also participating in an ecological offsetting initiative by the Finnish Environment Institute to counteract biodiversity loss.

At the beginning of 2025, Vantaa will become the first city in Finland to implement ecological compensation under the new Nature Conservation Act. This approach involves offsetting harm caused to nature in one area through measures that enhance biodiversity elsewhere. The scheme will initially be applied to one zoning project and gradually extended to all zoning projects in Vantaa that result in environmental harm.

Efforts to enhance promotion of biodiversity have led to raising public awareness about the importance of protecting natural habitats and biodiversity. A step in this way is the reform of the nature protection legislation, as well as the development of a comprehensive biodiversity plan. The green structure snapshot has improved planning decisions for habitat connectivity. Access to green areas has increased, with a higher share of residents living within 300–700 metres of nature.

These measures were complemented by an accessible outdoor route in the Isosuo bog, which has long been a destination for educational excursions and is now open to a wider audience, and ecological connections between nature areas (green pathways to move fauna).

Moreover, over 250 concrete actions based on the roadmap’s objectives have been recorded in Vantaa’s Environmental Watch, with their implementation monitored annually. The 2024–2025 reporting period documented numerous specific measures. Below are some examples:

• Vantaa's natural data is being mapped one major area at a time. This forms the basis for the nature conservation plan related to the implementation plan of the master plan and the introduction of the principle of no net loss of nature.
• The Nature Positive Vantaa 2030 action plan is being implemented. The principle of no net loss of nature and various action guidelines to achieve it are being further developed.

• An invasive species plan is being prepared. Local nature guides, together with Purotalkkarit, organised two giant balsam removal events. The popular Crowdsorsa mobile game made it possible to combat lupine and giant balsam in three different areas.

The successful implementation of the initiatives has been possible through:

• Active involvement of the whole city region  
• Seeing the theme along with others such as environmental sustainability
• Environmental monitoring, involving systematic data collection on biodiversity
• Communication, education and awareness campaigns to shape the behaviour of residents, businesses and organisations
• Collaboration with the state and other stakeholders, which facilitated the exchange of expertise and resources

The objectives established in the Roadmap are hindered by the following challenges caused by human activity:

• Urban development and traffic routes lead to habitat fragmentation, restricting wildlife movement
• Human activity with intensive resource extraction disrupts natural ecological processes
• Accelerated biodiversity decline reduces ecosystem resilience and stability
• Degradation of watercourses through pollution and alteration compromises water quality and aquatic habitats
• Decline in the number of insects reduces pollination and food sources, destabilising food chains
• Climate change alters habitats and intensifies extreme weather events
• Impacts of agriculture and forestry, including monocultures and deforestation, degrade soil quality and reduce habitats.
• Disruption of ecological connections fragmentation impedes species migration and gene flow
• Pressure from invasive alien species threatens indigenous species and ecosystems.
• Decline in ecosystem functionality reduces capacity to provide essential ecological services.
• Streams running into narrow corridors restrict natural flow and species dispersal, harming biodiversity.

• Public engagement has increased through annual nature themes and accessible activities, such as birdwatching excursions and biodiversity-focused events
• The city has implemented systematic biodiversity monitoring, which informs both strategic planning and public communication
• The Isosuo bog outdoor route has improved access to nature, contributing to education and awareness while preserving ecological integrity
• Ecological connectivity between green areas has been enhanced, allowing for improved species movement and resilience
• Vantaa is pioneering ecological compensation at the municipal level, with implementation tied to the new Nature Conservation Act and planned integration into all zoning projects from 2025

• Integrate biodiversity goals into broader environmental strategies, ensuring alignment with themes like circular economy, mobility, and climate neutrality
• Adopt a city-wide biodiversity monitoring system to guide interventions and measure progress over time.
• Prioritise public participation and communication, using nature-themed campaigns and events to foster local ownership and awareness
• Design accessible natural areas that support both conservation and education, enhancing inclusivity and ecological literacy
• Explore ecological offsetting mechanisms to balance development pressures with biodiversity enhancement
• Engage with national institutions and legislation to ensure legal alignment and access to technical support