Travel sustainably in the Lahti Region
In the Lahti region, you can experience pure and diverse nature sustainably. Taking care of nature and lakes is a goal shared by everyone in our region. Lahti is Finland’s leading city when it comes to environmental issues, a frontrunner in climate work, a pioneer in sustainable and smart solutions and the European Green Capital 2021.
Tips for sustainable tourism
Lahti is a city of bold environmental actions. The nature conservation work regarding Finnish Lakeland and Lake Vesijärvi has been ongoing for decades, bringing with it unique environmental expertise to the city. Our tap water, naturally filtered pure by the Salpausselkä ridges, is the best in the world!
The Lahti region provides a stunning setting for enjoying the great outdoors and clean nature. Walking, cycling and public transport are all great options for getting around Lahti! Spend your night at a hotel or cottage with environmental certification and enjoy clean and delicious locally sourced food! The Lahti region is the choice for environmentally conscious travellers!
Something for all the senses
Nature
The Lahti region provides a stunning setting in which to enjoy nature at its freshest and purest! Head to Salpausselkä Geopark—formed by the last Ice Age—that is currently applying for a UNESCO Global Geopark status. Or perhaps you would prefer Päijänne National Park, which consists of protected esker islands and is also part of Salpausselkä Geopark.
Shopping
The high-quality specialty shops in the Lahti region tempt visitors to make finds. Whether you are looking for design, antiques, vintage fashion, nostalgia, collectibles or vintage and design furniture, we have it!
Accommodation
Hotels and cottages must comply with strict regulations in order to receive environmental certification. These include sustainable waste management, water and energy consumption and environmentally friendly suppliers.
Local food
The Lahti region serves pure local food and the best tap water in the world!
Meetings
A responsible meeting arises from ecologically, socially and economically sustainable solutions. We have made a guide to help you with these choices. It reminds you of things that need to be addressed in different areas of meeting planning. Lahti Region has been awarded the Ecocompass certificate, which also indicates our commitment to responsibility.
Transportation
Short distances and well-maintained bike and pedestrian paths make walking and cycling an appealing alternative when getting around Lahti. The Lahti region also offers great cycling routes! The Lahti region’s public transport buses have the lowest emissions in Finland.
Lahti – The European Green Capital 2021
Lahti was the first Finnish city to get the title of the European Green Capital in 2021. This was an acknowledgement of the work Lahti has done for decades to develop into a more environmentally friendly and sustainable city that belongs to everyone.
Read moreLegacy of the European Green Capital – Technical Visits to Lahti
Visit Lahti organises professional techical visits to companies in the region. Guided tours are organised in particular in companies pioneering in environmental work and clean tech businesses in Lahti that are among the elite in their industry.
On your visit, you will get to know the solutions of the City of Lahti and the ground-breaking environmental actions of city-owned companies and local businesses. Please fill in the adjacent delegation visit form to book a visit.
Read more and book a visitSeven environmental facts about Lahti
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01Lahti will be a carbon-neutral city as the first major city in Finland.
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02The success story of Lahti as a pioneer in environmental expertise stretches back all the way to the 1970s and the restoration of Lake Vesijärvi.
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03Thanks to the long-term development of waste management, Lahti has new kinds of jobs in circular economy companies, and as much as 97% of household waste is recovered.
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04Lahti has already cut down its greenhouse gas emissions by 70% compared to the level of 1990.
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05In Lahti, public transport is carried out with a bus fleet with the lowest emissions in Finland.
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06Lahti is the first city in the world to introduce personal transport emissions trading for its residents.
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07Lahti aims to become a waste-free circular economy city by 2050.
Lahti Region Ltd is committed to sustainability and environmental work
As a regional tourism organisation, Lahden seutu – Lahti Region Ltd wants to encourage other companies and partners with its operations to develop their own operations according to the principles of sustainable development. Our region is aiming to become a Sustainable Tourism Destination in 2025 under Visit Finland’s Sustainable Travel Finland programme, and we encourage businesses in the region to obtain sustainable tourism certificates.
Salpausselkä UNESCO Global Geopark
The expertise of Lahden seutu – Lahti Region Ltd’s Salpausselkä Geopark unit supports the regional development of sustainable tourism. Together we have developed a sustainable tourism plan for the region.
Sustainable Travel Finland – STF
Lahden seutu – Lahti Region Ltd. has been awarded the STF (Sustainable Travel Finland) label. Learn more about Visit Finland’s STF program.
The EcoCompass
Lahden seutu – Lahti Region Ltd. has been certified according to the EcoCompass program. EcoCompass is an environmental management system that includes 10 criteria through which a company manages its environmental matters and operates in an environmentally responsible way.
We Speak Gay
Lahden seutu – Lahti Region Ltd. is a partner company in the We Speak Gay network. Through this partnership, we are committed to promoting LGBTQ+ inclusivity in our communications and supporting the development of LGBTQ+ tourism in our region.
The Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism
Lahden Seutu – Lahti Region Ltd. is a signatory of The Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism. By becoming signatory of this declaration we agree to implement the global commitment to halve emissions by 2030 and reach net Zero as soon as possible before 2050.
Climate Action Plan (CAP)
Lahden seutu – Lahti Region Ltd. has published its own Climate Action Plan (CAP) in accordance with the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism.