2024

Tuomisto, Tiia; Mirola, Tuuli; Vanhamäki, Susanna; Sallinen, Niina

The City of Lahti aims to achieve climate neutrality in 2025. Cutting the CO2 emissions caused by transport plays a key role in reaching the goal. Currently, only one third of resident trips in the Päijät-Häme region utilise sustainable modes of transportation (2021), with private cars representing the predominant choice, accounting for 66% of trips, and buses and bicycles collectively comprising less than 10% of all trips. As the average commuting distance within Lahti city boundaries is 6.7 km, there is potential to increase active commuting (e.g. walking, cycling) to replace the use of private cars. Thus, changes in commuting behaviour are essential for fulfilling the city’s climate neutrality objectives. Promoting the use of public transport and electric vehicles also plays a central role. The study’s objective is to identify the main sustainable commuting barriers at the employer level in Lahti. The research data was collected through thematic interviews and observation rounds at the workplace premises of five employer organisations operating in eight locations. The 16 interviewees represented strategic, sustainability and HR management, and supervisors. The results indicate that there is a lack of a systematic approach to commuting in strategies and policies. This leads to underestimating the importance of engaging communication. There is a need for diversification of mobility incentives and developing facilities supporting sustainable commuting. The availability of functional public infrastructure and public transport depends on the location of the organisation. Therefore, the communication between employers and the city authorities is crucial to enable systemic change towards more sustainable commuting.