Espoo is among the first cities in Finland to develop ecological compensation. Espoo is seeking to become a pioneer in how to reconcile a growing city with biodiversity. The city is actively engaged in research on ecological and carbon compensation for land use.
The planned data centre in Hepokorvenkallio would bring major climate benefits to the city, as the waste heat from the centre would be used to produce district heat. It would replace the use of fossil fuels and so cut CO2 emissions.
Part of the data centre site close to the Oittaa recreational area is currently covered by forest, and so the loss of forest could be offset by protecting and enhancing natural assets in the surrounding area. A recent study proposes that the Hynkänlampi forest area near Pirttimäki be protected as a solution. This represents a new approach to managing biodiversity management: ecological compensation.
