Tallinn Sustainable Energy and

Climate Action Plan (SECAP)

2030
Summary

Tallinn Energy Agency

2020
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents......................................................................................................................................................... 2
1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................ 3

1.1. The City of Tallinn ................................................................................................................................ 3

1.2. Tallinn SECAP 2030 brief introduction ................................................................................................... 3
2. Vision for 2050 .................................................................................................................................................... 5
3. Business-as-usual and SECAP scenarios until 2030 ................................................................................................ 7
3.1. BAU scenario ....................................................................................................................................... 8
3.2. SECAP scenario .................................................................................................................................... 9
4. Climate risks specific to Tallinn .......................................................................................................................... 13

4.1. The main challenges of climate change in Tallinn and the necessary adaptation measures ................... 14
4.1.1. Floods and coastal erosion ........................................................................................................................................ 14
4.1.2. Heat islands ............................................................................................................................................................... 15
4.1.3. Mobility ..................................................................................................................................................................... 16
4.1.4. Biodiversity and green areas ..................................................................................................................................... 17
4.1.5. Emergencies .............................................................................................................................................................. 18

5. Tallinn SECAP 2030 implementation plan ........................................................................................................... 20

5.1. Costs, risks and responsibilities .......................................................................................................... 20

5.2. Evaluation and monitoring ................................................................................................................. 21

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1. Introduction

1.1. The City of Tallinn

Geographical context: The city of Tallinn1 is located on the southern coast of Gulf of Finland, has the area of 159.2 km2
and the population of 437 610 people (2020). It is divided into 8 administrative districts, which are outlined in Figure
1 below. Tallinn has a humid continental climate and due to its geographical location and urban character.

F IGURE 1. MAP OF TALLINN WITH ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICTS .

Governing system: The City Government is the local government’s executive body, which fulfils the assignments given
to it by legislative drafting, economic activity, control and the involvement of the residents. The Tallinn City
Government consists of a total of seven members: the Mayor and six Deputy Mayors. Tallinn City Council is a
representative body of Tallinn. It is a local government unit, elected by the voting people of the city. It is independent
in deciding the matters in the competence of the local government and acts only in the interests and the name of the
citizens.

1.2. Tallinn SECAP 2030 brief introduction

The objective of the “Tallinn Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) 2020–2030 and Vision for 2050”
(hereinafter Tallinn SECAP 2030) is to set a strategy and an action plan for sustainable energy and climate change
adaptation in Tallinn for 2030 with an energy and climate perspective for 2050.

1 Photo on the title page: Lasnamäe. Author of the photo: Kaupo Kalda, City Enterprise Department of Tallinn, Tallinn City Tourist Office & Convention Bureau.

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Tallinn SECAP 2030 has updated the energy and climate policy of the City of Tallinn in the light of the European Union
policy framework, the basic principles of Estonian climate policy, and the vision of Tallinn, thematic strategic
developments and urban practice. It is also a reference document for meeting the city's climate and energy goals.
Stemming from voluntary commitments to the Covenant of Mayors, it is necessary to meet the Tallinn Environmental
Strategy's goal of reducing CO2 emissions by at least 40% by 2030 (compared to the baseline year 2007) and to achieve
carbon neutrality in Tallinn by 2050. This objective is also consistent with the national target of reducing greenhouse
gas (GHG) emissions and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Many measures for the sustainable use of energy
resources and promotion of renewable energy, which are decisive for climate change mitigation, fall within the
competence of local authorities or are not feasible without their political support.

The cities that have entered into the Covenant of Mayors will pledge to support the implementation of the EU's target
of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 and adopting a coherent approach to tackling climate change
mitigation and adaptation. To translate their political commitments into practical measures and projects, signatories
to the Covenant commit themselves to present a Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) within two years
of the decision of the local council, outlining the main measures and actions they intend to implement. The plan shall
include the mapping of baseline emissions to monitor mitigation actions and an assessment of the risks and
vulnerabilities of climate change.

Tallinn SECAP 2030, with its energy and climate policy vision for 2050, consists of the following two components,
implemented separately or together:

A mitigation plan which objective is to reduce Tallinn's CO2 emissions by 40% by 2030 compared to the
baseline year 2007. This is done by increasing energy efficiency and reducing the carbon intensity of energy
consumption, and moving towards a carbon neutral vision for Tallinn.

An adaptation plan which objective is to increase the capacity and readiness of Tallinn to adapt to the impacts
of climate change through long-term decisions and spatial solutions, and to prevent or limit the damage
caused by extreme weather events.

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2. Vision for 2050

In 2050, Tallinn will be a carbon-neutral, clean-energy smart city.

By 2030, Tallinn has proven itself as the international green capital of Europe, where eco-friendly development is a
success story, not an obstacle. In partnership with the city government, the business sector and residents, Tallinn will
be a carbon-neutral, sustainable and resilient living environment by 2050, where residents and businesses understand
the benefits and opportunities of sustainable development. The trends and vision are illustrated below in Figure 2.

FIGURE 2. TRENDS AND VISION OF TALLINN BY 2050.

The 2050 target is an innovative city that uses global trends with a foresight to prevent health, environmental and
economic damage caused by climate change and meets the national energy and climate targets. As a major consumer,
the city of Tallinn is increasingly influencing the behaviour of residents and businesses and has made products and
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services that support the environmentally friendly vision as natural, easy and affordable as possible, making them the
preferred option by citizens.

Already by 2030, Tallinn is a multi-centre, comprehensive and well-planned high-quality urban space for its
inhabitants. At any time, inhabitants can cover 75% of their mobility needs by light traffic and carbon-neutral transport
to reach their destination. At least 50% of the population can, and wants to reach their destiantion in the city by public
transport, on foot or by bicycle, thus travelling between city centres in less than 20 minutes. Public transport and car-
sharing are viable alternatives to owning a private vehicle. City dwellers can instead invest the saved time and money
to improve their quality of life. By solving urban mobility problems, the costs of meeting the country's environmental
goals are also saved, which in turn improves the economic situation in Tallinn.

The city is covered by a smart electricity grid that allows power producers and consumers to interact with each other,
and the contribution of residents to the local energy market has become common. Diversification of waste sorting and
optimized transport and handling network minimizes the amount of waste leaving the circular economy. Continuously
increasing energy efficiency and diversity of energy sources of smart buildings that are attractive to residents and
owners from an economic and environmental point of view has reduced Tallinn's energy dependency to a minimum,
satisfies the need for renewable electricity, brings the city closer to independence from fossil fuels and creates a
premise for automated and smart business, where the City intervenes only if a market failure occurs.

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3. Business-as-usual and SECAP scenarios until 2030

Tallinn SECAP 2030 mitigation plan is based on two scenarios (Figure 3):

Business-as-usual (BAU), i.e. the baseline scenario, where only existing and approved national and Tallinn
specific measures will be implemented to achieve Tallinn's energy and climate goals by 2030. Buildings and
industry, transport and energy are subject to the same national underlying assumptions under the EU climate
and energy policy framework. In essence, this is a continuation of the current national and Tallinn climate and
energy policies, whose impact on energy production, final energy consumption and GHG emissions up to 2030
is projected in accordance to adjusted BEI and MEI trends;
SECAP scenario, i.e. the additional measures scenario, in which existing and additional measures to reach the
Tallinn energy and climate targets up to 2030 are implemented, of which the impact on energy production
and final consumption and GHG emissions are assessed and accounted in comparison to the BAU scenario's
energy production, final energy consumption and GHG emissions.

Tallinn GHG emissions scenarios

4500

4000

3500

3000

2500
kt CO2 eq.

2000

1500

1000

500

0
2007 2015 2020 2025 2030 2007 2015 2020 2025 2030
BAU SECAP
Transport, GHG Buildings, GHG Total target 2030, GHG

FIGURE 3. TALLINN GHG EMISSIONS SCENARIOS UP UNTIL 2030.

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3.1. BAU scenario

In the BAU scenario, the GHG emissions reduction target cannot be achieved.

In the background of the increase in Tallinn's energy consumption in 2007–2015 (Figure 4) the building sector's energy
consumption growth was smaller than in the transport sector and the building sector's GHG emissions decreased and
transport sector's GHG emissions increased, i.e. the carbon intensity or CO2 emissions per unit of energy consumed
decreased only in the buildings sector.

In the BAU scenario, final energy consumption in the transport sector will increase to ca 3708 GWh by 2030, or ca 43%
compared to 2007, 86% of which is made up by fossil fuel consumption. By 2030, GHG emissions from the transport
sector will increase by nearly a quarter compared to 2007, accounting for 28% of Tallinn's total GHG emissions.

Tallinn final energy consumption and GHG emission scenarios up until 2030
10000 4500

9000 4000

8000
3500

7000 Buildings, heating/cooling

3000
Buildings, electricity
6000 Buildings, renewable fuels
2500 Buildings, fossil fuels
kt CO2 eq.
GWh

5000 Transport, electricity

2000 Transport, renewable fuels

4000 Transport, fossil fuels
Buildings, GHG
1500
3000 Transport, GHG
Total, GHG
1000 Total target 2030, GHG
2000

1000 500

0 0
2007 2015 2020 2025 2030 2007 2015 2020 2025 2030
BAU SECAP

FPersonal
IGURE 4. car
TALLINN
use isFINAL
risingENERGY CONSUMPTION
and even free public AND GHG EMISSION
transport SCENARIOS
is uncompetitive UNTIL 2030.
UP unable
and to alleviate mobility problems. In

In Tallinn, the personal car dependency for work travel of low-wage citizens is growing, as the current planning of
living, work and study places, public transport and environmental charges does not support the development and use
of alternatives.

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In the building sector, the situation is slightly better, because through a continuous renovation of buildings, energy
efficiency is increased and growing share of renewable sources in cogeneration plants' output can meet a large share
of the electricity and heat needs. The final energy consumption of the building sector (including electricity and heat
consumption) will increase to ca 5739 GWh by 2030 (ca 12% compared to 2007), resulting in an annual GHG emission
of ca 2182 kt CO2 eq., or about a third less than in 2007.

Energy consumption and GHG emissions continue to rise significantly faster in the transport sector than in the building
sector, with a noticeable reduction in carbon intensity only in the building sector.

Total GHG emissions from final energy consumption and combustion of fossil fuels are estimated to be ca 2974 kt CO2
eq. by 2030, exceeding the target for GHG emissions (2361 kt CO2 eq.) by ca 26%.

The main subject of the mitigation plan of Tallinn SECAP 2030 is, therefore, the transport sector.

TABLE 1. E XISTING MEASURES TO REDUCE GHG EMISSIONS IN TALLINN IN THE BAU SCENARIO.

Transport Buildings and energy

Development of a fast and integrated public transport
service in the capital city region along with the
development of convenient transfer possibilities.
Introduction of sustainable transport and mobility in the
public sector and private companies. Development of
micromobility in collaboration with the private sector.
Improvement of energy efficiency of apartment buildings.
Improvement of energy efficiency and increase of the share of
renewable energy in production and consumption.
Raising energy efficiency awareness.
Reduction of energy consumption of buildings.

Extension of district heating (incl. integration of district cooling)

and increase of efficiency of heating network.
Improvement of efficiency and quality of street lighting.

3.2. SECAP scenario

Additional measures in the Tallinn SECAP 2030 mitigation plan (Table 2) update the climate policy ambition of existing
measures (Table 1) and through actions supporting Tallinn's carbon neutral vision and adaptation to climate change
increase the energy efficiency of Tallinn, i.e either way reduce Tallinn's GHG emissions. Also, there are key measures
critical to achieving the mitigation target of the action plan (Table 2, in bold), which are important in their GHG
reduction potential, innovative nature and climate change adaptation capacity.

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TABLE 2. ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO REDUCE GHG EMISSIONS IN TALLINN IN THE SECAP SCENARIO.

Transport Buildings and energy

Urban management that reduces forced traffic and car
use.
Extensive electrification of private transport and
introduction of green hydrogen. (170 kt)
Vehicle energy class dependant peak hour road toll.
Raising awareness and capacity for the use of solar energy in
local electricity supply and diversification of renewable energy
sources. (160 kt)
Innovative renovation and construction of buildings. (40 kt)
Use of non-recoverable waste for energy production.

Implementation of new parking policy, incl. CO2-
dependent and flexible parking system in extended paid
parking zones.
More extensive use of sustainable renewable fuels in
municipal transport.
Improvement of non-motorised traffic infrastructure.
Convenient and safe bicycle traffic.
Pilot projects for renewable energy combined heat and power in
new and renovated buildings.
Pilot projects for district cooling in new and renovated buildings
and development of district cooling network.
Improving the resilience of existing buildings to climate change
through raising awareness and development of support measures.

Reduction of traffic risks caused by weather conditions, Improving energy efficiency by increasing the share of renewable
including the reduction of risks related to ice. energy in production and consumption.

Increased use of sustainable renewable fuels in urban
transport.
Public transportation usability improvements.
Guidance (through planning and design) and recognition of new
construction.
Renovation and construction of municipal buildings taking into
account the risks of climate change and applying innovative
technologies and materials.

Moreover, principles of energy efficiency are taken into account in the planning and construction of buildings. Factory-
produced insulation elements with an integrated ventilation solution will be used in the renovation of city buildings
to achieve a healthy indoor climate. Additionally, this will extend the life of apartment buildings, minimize heat loss,
and increase the volume and quality of renovation. The condition of municipal buildings has been analyzed, and in
places where the renovation of old buildings is difficult, unreasonably expensive or does not allow for an energy-
efficient solution, they will be demolished and replaced with nearly zero or zero energy buildings. The use of climate-
resistant materials and solutions, such as the use of reflective or green roofs, etc., creates preconditions for the
promotion and dissemination of best practices in real estate development more widely.

In regards to the transport sector, the vehicles belonging to the city and providing services in the city will mostly be
emission-free. The bus fleet belonging to the city will be switched to gas buses in the first phase and to electric and/or
hydrogen buses in the second phase. Taxis, rental vehicles and intra-urban freight transport will have shifted 50% to
zero-emission vehicles by 2030. Public transport and cycling infrastructure will be convenient for all seasons. This
means that there will be more weatherproof public transport stops, the vehicles will have a suitable indoor climate
and the light traffic infrastructure can be maintained and used safely all year round.
Land use and planning that take into account climate change adaptation also contribute to the adaptability of transport
infrastructure - carefully planned landscaping helps to reduce the impact of wind, and heatwaves on road users and

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reduces excessive rainwater on the streets. Lower land acquisition of transport infrastructure allows the enhancement
of nature and preserving biodiversity.

By 2030, almost 50% of the required electricity will be produced in Tallinn. In the long run, the increase in temperature
will cause less need for heating, but the need for cooling will increase and with it, access to district cooling will become
more important. The need for renewable energy in the city's transport sector is also growing, and to meet the
requirements, it is necessary to create an opportunity where the products of community renewable energy
cooperatives can be used in transport. The city must create preconditions for supporting community-based energy
cooperatives that produce electricity from solar panels and store hydrogen, for example. The course of action as a
whole, in turn, demonstrates the cost-effectiveness of a local cooperative distribution network that meets the needs
of distributed generation and storage of renewable energy and the place of consumption and helps to solve security
of supply problems.

By directing the mitigation plan and creating opportunities for companies to reach the mitigation target, and timely
implementation of updated existing and additional measures. It is feasible in the SECAP scenario by 2030 to improve
the energy efficiency of Tallinn and reduce its final energy consumption to ca 6511 GWh per year, incl. reduction of
transport fossil fuel use to 406 GWh per year, i.e. by ca 29% and 87% respectively, compared to the BAU scenario.
Although this means an increase of ca 216 GWh in renewable fuel and electricity demand in the transport sector by
2030, the increase in the production and share of renewable energy in Tallinn as a result of large energy sector
companies' initiative (ca 1776 GWh of produced and ca 635 GWh of imported renewable energy by 2030) has already
created a precondition for this in the BAU scenario. Increased demand for electricity from renewable sources would,
in turn, be a great incentive for renewable energy projects for citizens, companies and energy cooperatives.

The full implementation of the updated existing (Table 1) and additional (Table 2 and Figure 5) measures in the
transport, building and energy sectors would reduce Tallinn's total GHG emissions by ca 1643 kt CO2 eq. (Figure 4
and Figure 5) by 2030, compared to 2007.

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Preference for low carbon vehicles and extensive electrification of

4000
Effect of Tallinn SECAP 2030 measures
private transport

Forced traffic and car use reducing integrated mobility and urban
planning
3500
Development of a fast and integrated public transport service

Vehicle energy class dependant peak hour road toll

3000
Implementation of new parking policy, incl. CO2-dependent and flexible
parking system in extended paid parking zones

Extensive use of sustainable renewable fuels in municipal transport

2500

Introduction of sustainable transport and mobility in public sector and

private companies

kt CO2 eq.
Developing safe and attractive non-motorised traffic and other 2000
infrastructure and raising winter maintenance levels

Development of car short-term lease and pooling

Innovative renovation and construction of buildings

1500

Pilot projects for renewable energy combined heat and power in new
and renovated buildings
1000
Pilot projects for district cooling in new and renovated buildings and
development of district cooling network

Transport, GHG
500
Buildings, GHG

Total target 2030, GHG

0
2007 2015 2030 BAU 2030 SECAP measures 2030 SECAP result

FIGURE 5. EFFECT OF THE REDUCTION OF GHG EMISSIONS FROM TALLINN SECAP 2030 UPDATED EXISTING AND ADDITIONAL
MEASURES COMPARED TO THE BAU SCENARIO .

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4. Climate risks specific to Tallinn

Despite efforts to mitigate climate change, global warming continues. In Europe, global warming has been faster than
the global average and continental Europe has been averaging 1.3 °C above pre-industrial levels over the last decade.
Further warming and long-term changes in climate systems will increase the inevitable impacts on humans and
ecosystems. The climate change analysis of the adaptation plan is based on a pessimistic global warming scenario2.

Due to its geographical location and urban character, the city of Tallinn is most affected by the vulnerability of coastal
areas to floods and storms, the risk of heat islands and floods caused by rainfall. These climate change risks affect
several areas important to the city (urban planning, transport, buildings, water management, environment, health and
tourism) and their functioning. In addition, certain sectors are also affected by the increase in extreme climatic events,
more frequent glazed frost days, reduced snow cover and increased wind speed.

Cities are warmer than the surrounding areas due to many city-specific factors such as high density of buildings, height
of buildings and low proportion of green areas. In the case of Tallinn, the increase in warmer weather and the increase
in the number of hot days increases the vulnerability to the influence of heat islands. While between 1971 and 2000
the average number of days with a daily maximum of over 27 °C was 3.8–6.2 (Figure 6), the average number of days
with a maximum of 27 °C in Tallinn for the period 2040–2100 based on RCP 4.5 is projected to be 11–14.1 days.

FIGURE 6. AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS WITH A DAILY MAXIMUM OF 27 °C IN TALLINN FOR THE PERIOD 1980–2018.

The high proportion of impermeable surfaces makes the city vulnerable to rainwater flooding, which can damage
buildings and infrastructure and cause infrastructure malfunctions. The higher the density of infrastructure and
buildings located in risk areas, the greater the city's overall vulnerability to the effects of climate change. Although
according to the Tallinn-Harku weather station, there have been no significant changes in precipitation or stormwater
in Tallinn for periods 1981–1999 to 2001–2018. The negative impact of rainwater in Tallinn has been greater than the
actual increase in rainfall, due to the increasing proportion of impermeable surfaces.

2The pessimistic global warming scenario, known as the RCP 8.5, is due to political preferences, weak transnational cooperation
and a predominantly carbon-based economy and in the global and Tallinn SECAP 2030 context is the result of the business-as-
usual scenario.
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The coastal floods in Tallinn are affected by unfavourable changes in wind direction, coupled with a global increase in
mean sea level, predicted to be 40–60 cm on our coast by the end of the century for the RCP 8.5.

4.1. The main challenges of climate change in Tallinn and the necessary adaptation
measures

Urban systems in their dynamics are more sensitive to the impact of climate change than sparsely populated areas.
Cities are characterized by high population density, dependence on functioning infrastructure and concentration of
different social groups. It is, therefore, necessary to ensure that today's decisions help us better manage the climate
of the future.

4.1.1. Floods and coastal erosion

Floods are caused by both extreme precipitation and rising water levels caused by storms. Areas with a high proportion
of impermeable surfaces are most vulnerable to flooding. In addition to the proportion of impermeable surfaces,
coastal vulnerability is influenced by several other factors such as low-lying built-up areas, scarcity of green areas and
coastal type. Infiltration potential of Tallinn is illustrated in Figure 7 below.

FIGURE 7. INFILTRATION POTENTIAL IN TALLINN (2018), EXPRESSED ON A QUALITATIVE SCALE .

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Due to climate change, especially sea-level rise, intensification of storms and lack of ice cover in winter, coastal erosion
may become a bigger problem for Tallinn. The receding coast can endanger recreational areas, buildings and
infrastructure.

The objective is to prevent and reduce floods and flood damage. Necessary actions to achieve this are:

setting land use and building conditions through spatial planning;

preservation of green areas and increasing their proportion, taking into account the infiltration potential
(Figure 7) of different types of green infrastructure;
more widespread implementation of sustainable drainage systems (SUDS);
sewer separation;
improvement of rainwater systems (incl. improvement of standards);
flood and coastal monitoring (in addition to national monitoring);
forecasting (modelling) the effects of coastal erosion and identifying the need for coastal protection measures;
raising awareness of adaptation and mitigation among officials and residents/developers.

4.1.2. Heat islands

The heat island effect occurs when the Sun's radiation is absorbed into the artificial soil during the day, thereby raising
the surface and air temperatures much higher to its rural surroundings. The formation of heat islands is promoted by
the high proportion of dark impermeable surfaces (with low albedo) and the lack of high greenery. The heat islands
created by the combined effects of land use and heat waves affect human health (Figure 8), the durability of
infrastructure and the energy consumption of buildings.

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FIGURE 8. VULNERABILITY TO URBAN HEAT ISLAND (UHI) EFFECT IN TALLINN. THE IMPACT IS GREATEST IN AREAS WHERE A LARGE
PART OF THE POPULATION BELONGS TO RISK GROUPS AND ALSO THE UHI EFFECT IS STRONG . S OURCE : UNIVERSITY OF T ARTU (2016).

The objective is to mitigate the heat island effect and manage its impacts. Necessary actions to achieve this are:

setting land use and building conditions through spatial planning;

use of materials with higher albedo (roads/streets, buildings, roofs);
increasing the proportion of green infrastructure;
increasing the proportion of evaporative cooling by vegetation and water;
improvement of the indoor climate of buildings;
preparedness to manage heatwaves in urban areas where the heat island effect is most intense and where
there is a high proportion of the vulnerable population (elderly, sick and young children);
raising awareness among residents/developers.

4.1.3. Mobility

In the urban environment, connectivity, road safety and security, and ease of mobility and driving are most affected
by climate change. The main climate risks affecting mobility are associated with rainfall, extreme climate events and
temperature rise, as well as longer periods of darkness, resulting in traffic hazards, infrastructure-related traffic
disruptions, icing and reduced ease of use of unpaved streets, paved roads and lanes. At the same time, the rise in
temperature extends the snow-free period, which in turn creates more favourable conditions for the use of bicycles

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and other non-motorised traffic. However, the increased number of pedestrians and bicyclists, and the prolongation
of the dark time due to the shortening of the snow cover, require additional measures to improve road safety.

The objective is to reduce the vulnerability of transport infrastructure and to improve the ease of mobility and overall
safety of pedestrians and cyclists. Necessary actions to achieve this are:

development of a monitoring system for weather affected street condition and increasing the responsiveness
of road maintenance;
introduction of real-time traffic management systems, i.e. setting of weather and risk-based speed limits;
reduction of the speed limit in residential areas and centres;
improvement of safety and comfort of bicycle and pedestrian tracks through better maintenance and lighting;
improvement of the ease of use of public transport, incl. weather-proof public transport shelters, adjustment
of public transport air conditioning.

4.1.4. Biodiversity and green areas

Changing climatic conditions, together with urban planning decisions, affect the supply, quality and volume of
ecosystem services and pose further significant challenges to ecosystem functionality and human well-being in the
city. The green network of Tallinn is illustrated below in Figure 9.

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FIGURE 9. GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE (GI) IN TALLINN BY GI TYPES. S OURCE : M AP OF TALLINN GREEN NETWORK (TALLINN C ITY
P LANNING DEPARTMENT 2019).

Necessary actions to conserve biodiversity in Tallinn are:

assessment and mapping of urban ecosystem services;

assessment of the impact of climate change on biodiversity and ecosystem services;
ensuring a coherent and functioning green infrastructure (Figure 9) and implementation of the green factor
concept;
identification and use of climate-resistant plant species that support adaptation to climate change;
development and implementation of biodiversity maintenance and enhancement policies in green areas with
diverse functions.

4.1.5. Emergencies

According to an emergency risk assessment, extreme weather conditions in Tallinn can cause widespread forest or
landscape fires, floods, and harm to human health.

Human health impacts of climate change are associated with an increase in heatwaves, an increase in the spread of
vector-transmitted diseases, an increase in slip and fall injuries, and a deterioration in air, drinking and bathing water
quality. The city has a key role in managing these impacts by raising awareness and providing support for risk groups.

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Necessary actions to increase emergency response are:

raising awareness among residents/developers;

based additional knowledge and data, supplementing and, accordingly, planning measures in sectoral
development to manage emergencies;
development, promotion and piloting of solutions that guarantee the autonomy of buildings;
climate-proofing of vital services (mapping of deficiencies and implementation of solutions);
implementation of outreach activities (involving urban communication channels for operational outreach to
the public, e.g. in the event of heat waves or deterioration of ambient air quality).

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5. Tallinn SECAP 2030 implementation plan

5.1. Costs, risks and responsibilities

The Tallinn SECAP mitigation and adaptation implementation plan for 2021–2024 includes a total of 29 measures with
a total cost of ca 320 M euros, of which the actions of the mitigation plan cost ca 221 M euros and the actions of the
adaptation plan ca 99 M euros.

Figure 10 below illustrates the city departments involved in the implementation of Tallinn SECAP 2030. In addition to
enforcing SECAP measures directly, they are also responsible for updating and creating development plans and
strategies for their areas of expertise that take into account the need to adapt to climate change and reflect on aspects
of climate adaptation.

City Enterprise
Department
Tallinn Energy
Agency Urban
Transport Environment
Department and Public
Works
TALLINN Department

SECAP
Planning 2020–2030
City Property
Department Department
Social Welfare
and Health
Care
Department

F IGURE 10. M AIN CITY DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TALLINN SECAP 2030.

The main risks for SECAP implementation are an administrative failure and insufficient and uneven funding. Risks will
be mitigated with constant evaluation and monitoring described in the following subchapter (5.2).

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5.2. Evaluation and monitoring

The basis for monitoring the successes and failures of implementing the SECAP 2030 action plan is a continuous
inventory of the city’s GHG emissions from fuel and energy consumption. This will be done according to the rules of
the Covenant of Mayors.

Monitoring and evaluation activities are as following:

Annual review and performance evaluation of SECAP activities in the scope of the municipal sector.
Biennial review of SECAP measures and activities, which are updated if necessary. A report will be provided
for the Covenant of Mayors.
Every fourth year a Monitoring Emission Inventory (MEI) is carried out to evaluate achievement of SECAP
objectives, prioritising the reduction in CO2 emissions. At the same time, adaptation management
assessment will be executed.

To assess the impact of Tallinn SECAP 2030, a monitoring solution must be created: the data must be processed
automatically and collected on the city's data platform, if possible, cross-use of data with external databases (e.g. Road
Administration, Statistics Estonia, etc.) must be ensured. The main metrics should be public and displayed on the city's
website. As many raw data as possible will be made available to third parties as open data, which will allow to do
research and create new services. When collecting qualitative data, long-term systematic target group surveys must
be added to the current practice of random surveys, which will create a decades-long overview of people's
consumption habits and preferences for movement in Tallinn. Such long-term and carefully selected target group
studies provide a better overview of human behaviour and their results may differ significantly from episodic rapid
survey responses. Based on the practice of other countries, long-term target group studies should be conducted in
collaboration with local research institutions and are methodologically developed and carried out by researchers, and
their results are comparable with research results in other regions.

Activities to ensure the fulfilment of the aforementioned ambitions are:

Defining the need for open data, generating and using indicators to produce analyses based on the areas of
the adaptation plan taking into account their specific needs. In addition to Harku weather station,
installation of additional local monitoring systems to detect the formation and extent of heat islands, etc. in
real-time.
Preparation of studies and evaluations to assess the success of the implementation of adaptation measures.
Updating the plan (including taking into account technological changes, trends and regulatory space) and
monitoring.

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