The Green Transition Toolbox and Certification Standard Encourage Industrial Companies and Areas Toward Sustainable Operations

The Green Industrial Areas (GIA) project’s outputs present industrial companies and areas with operational models and ideas for moving toward more sustainable and environmentally friendly industrial practices.

In addition to Finland, the GIA project involves Germany, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Latvia, and Lithuania. In Finland, the project is centred in the Jyväskylä region, which is also home to pilot industrial sites that embody green values: Lintukangas and Eteläportti.

The three-year project aimed to create a shared toolbox and certification standard for industrial companies striving to achieve carbon neutrality.

“The toolbox and certification standard are designed for industrial companies that own their own properties and premises and are interested in sustainable development,” explains Timi Tiira, GIA project manager.

A green industrial area is a forerunner in energy transition, climate action, and environmental responsibility. The toolbox and certification standard support industrial companies and areas in the green transition by providing operational models and certification guidelines.

A new heat pump plant in Copenhagen.

In practice, environmental responsibility in industrial areas can be increased in many ways. Companies can, for example, jointly shift to renewable energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy efficiency, and reduce the use of waste, water, and raw materials.

In addition, they can promote biodiversity, sustainable mobility, logistics solutions, and minimize land use.

The Toolbox Offers Ideas for More Sustainable Practices

The international toolbox presenting best practices is divided into five themes: energy, reducing land use, sustainable mobility and logistics, biodiversity and water management, and industrial cooperation and circular economy.

“In terms of its themes, the toolbox is deliberately focused on energy,” says Tiira.

The toolbox includes about 40 examples of industrial practices. Among them is the Parchim wind–solar hybrid project in Germany, which combines renewable energy sources efficiently, saves land use, and stabilizes energy supply.

In Latvia, an absorption heat pump enables greater heat energy production without additional fuel, lowering heating costs for residents.

In Finland, Spinnova, a Jyväskylä-based company producing textile fibre from cellulose, uses a waste heat recovery system to provide heat for residents while simultaneously reducing district heating emissions.

Industrial Cooperation Facilitates Progress and Delivers Results

Different Baltic Sea countries and regions face various needs and challenges. For example, in Kalundborg, Denmark, cooperation on the industrial area began with the need for fresh water, which was scarce. Although seawater was available, desalination was expensive.

Cooperation among regional industrial companies is a recurring theme in the toolbox’s best practices. In Finland, collaboration is promoted at Eteläportti in Jyväskylä, where company representatives meet regularly for informal breakfast discussions.

“Slowly, companies are realizing that cooperation makes almost anything possible – and it’s easier to make progress together,” Tiira summarizes.

GIA project manager Timi Tiira emphasizes the importance of cooperation in the green transition of industrial companies.

This theme is discussed elsewhere as well. The report “Best Practices of Industrial Areas in Innovative Cities” highlights the development of industrial areas, service concepts, and expertise in the sector.

Certification Increases a Company’s Attractiveness and Competitiveness

The GIA project has produced a prototype for an international regional certificate, which is hoped to become an official certification in the future. The minimum requirement for certification is that at least 50 percent of the energy used in the area comes from renewable sources.

“There would be demand for an international area level certificate, but it requires strong international governance and resources. A similar regional certificate is already used in Germany, where it’s free for companies.”

The most demanding phase of obtaining certification is the beginning: companies must collect data on current emissions and consumption, determine what is already in place, and identify areas for improvement. Once the necessary improvements have been made and audited, the certificate can be granted.

However, it’s important to note that the energy transition and certification also require the activation of stakeholders, such as energy companies, authorities, and advocacy groups.

A solar and wind park in the Kalundborg industrial area.

Certification benefits both individual companies and the entire industrial area. It builds credibility and trust through verified means. Companies that comply with regulations and standards are pioneers that gain positive attention for their environmental efforts and achievements.

“Certification can also improve opportunities for partnerships, financing, and attracting skilled labour, which enhances companies’ competitiveness. Moreover, a green industrial area holds a strong position when companies consider new locations,” Tiira concludes.

More information:

Toolbox
Certification standard