Finnish town Lahti is offering cake, free transport tickets and other rewards to locals who cut their carbon emissions.
Situated 100 kilometres north of Helsinki, Lahti has developed an app, CitiCAP, that tracks residents’ CO2 outlays based on whether they travel by car, public transport, bike or on foot.
CitiCAP, developed with European Union funds, gives volunteers a weekly carbon quota and challenges app users to reduce their carbon emissions by a quarter.
If their allowance is not exhausted, participants get virtual money that can be used to buy bus tickets, access to the swimming pool or a piece of cake.
Around 2,000 residents have downloaded the app to date, with up to 200 of them using it simultaneously.
CitiCAP project manager Anna Huttunen said: “We provide an instrument for the citizens to take action on climate change mitigation through their own everyday choices.
“Lahti is still very dependent on cars. Our goal is that by 2030 more than 50% of all trips will be made via sustainable means of transport.”
Rosa Medea is Life & Soul Magazine’s Chief. She writes about lifestyles including sustainable and green living. She also offers content services to businesses and individuals at Rosamedea.com
