Sustainability Assessment of Smart Mobility Projects in Finland: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

The transport sector in Europe contributes to 25.8% of EU greenhouse emissions, and in Finland, it accounted for 24.9% of CO2 emissions in 2019. The Finnish Government aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035. This research examines the sustainability of Finnish smart mobility projects by assessing their alignment with the three dimensions of sustainability: environmental, economic, and social. A total of 33 projects were reviewed, considering their funding sources (EU or national) and project locations (South or North). An extensive sustainability indicator framework was applied, comparing 50 indicators across the projects. The results indicate a predominant focus on climate change, economic efficiency, and accessibility, while dimensions such as habitat protection, health, welfare, and affordability receive less attention. This emphasis on climate change can be attributed to ambitious policies and media influence. However, the underrepresentation of certain dimensions raises concerns about the balance of sustainability. Gender equity also emerged as an overlooked indicator, aligning with the gender equity report of Statistics Finland. To address this imbalance, future research should expand the dataset, develop a balanced indicator framework, and adopt a more structured approach to innovation projects on mobility.