Climate Program of the Central Chamber of Commerce supports SMEs in starting climate action

by EntrepreNerd

Applications for the next Climate Program are now open, apply no later than September 30, 2025! The program is free of charge for participating companies.

Responsibility, economic benefits, and reputational gains are reasons that have encouraged Finnish companies to engage in climate action. On the other hand, costs, lack of resources, and lack of expertise are reasons why many have not yet started. The Climate Program once again offers up to 300 Finnish SMEs the opportunity to take their first steps in climate action easily and free of charge.

The Climate Program is primarily aimed at SMEs that have not yet started climate work or are in its early stages. The Central Chamber of Commerce organizes the program with the support of LähiTapiola. Participation does not require Chamber membership or LähiTapiola customer status. The program is free of charge for participating companies.

In 2026, the Climate Program will be organized for the third time. More than 500 Finnish SMEs have already taken part in previous editions.

Through the Climate Program, participating companies receive practical trainings, tools, and expert assistance in calculating their organization’s carbon footprint, guidance in implementing genuinely impactful emission reduction measures, and the opportunity to pursue carbon neutrality. The goal of the program is to help SMEs in their climate work and to achieve emission reductions.

Carbon Footprint Calculated

Companies participating in the program will be granted the "Carbon Footprint Calculated" label of the Central Chamber of Commerce, free of charge, provided the calculation has been completed according to the program’s schedule. With this label, the organization makes its carbon footprint calculation visible and demonstrates to its stakeholders that it has measured its carbon footprint.

The 2025 Climate Program is currently underway, and the feedback from the program’s trainings and workshops has been extremely positive. The participating companies are highly motivated and committed to the program.

What does the Climate Program offer?

The program provides companies with practical training, effective tools, and expert support for carbon footprint calculation, as well as guidance on implementing genuinely impactful emission reduction measures. The goal is to help SMEs take concrete steps toward emission reductions and carbon neutrality.

Benefits of the Climate Program:

Helps your company get started with climate work.
Provides the skills for carbon footprint calculation.
Offers resources for impactful emission reductions.
Enables networking with other SMEs beginning their climate journey.
Helps meet customer and stakeholder requirements for carbon footprint calculation and emission reduction measures.
Practical and free of charge for participating companies.
Opens the possibility to join the Climate Community

What does the Climate Program include?

1. Kick-off event

The Climate Program begins with a joint kick-off event for all participating companies on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 13:30. This online event will cover the drivers and benefits of climate work and review the program’s content and implementation.

2. Carbon footprint calculation training and workshops

In February-March 2026, carbon footprint calculation training sessions will be organized, and companies selected for the program can choose the most suitable time to attend. The training provides the tools and skills to calculate an organization’s carbon footprint. Each company can send 1-3 participants. Participants will receive an Excel tool to support the calculation as well as a comprehensive guide and instructions.

The trainings will be held on:

Tue 10.2 at 9:00-11:30
Thu 12.2 at 13:00-15:30
Wed 25.2 at 9:00-11:30
Wed 4.3 at 13:00-15:30
Tue 10.3 at 9:00-11:30
Thu 12.3 at 13:00-15:30

To support independent carbon footprint calculations, sparring workshops of approx. 2 hours will be offered in April 2026. These workshops will address sector-specific issues, and carbon footprint experts will answer participants’ questions. The groups will be divided by industry sector, and the exact times will be announced at the start of the program. All trainings and workshops will be conducted online.

3. "Carbon Footprint Calculated" label free of charge for participants

When the carbon footprint has been calculated, companies can apply for the Central Chamber of Commerce’s Carbon Footprint Calculated label, which will be granted free of charge to participant companies that have completed their calculation by May 20, 2026.

4. Networking event for participant companies in August

Before the second phase of the Climate Program, a networking event will be held for participant companies continuing to the next stage. All companies that have calculated their carbon footprint by May 20, 2026, can join the second phase.

5. Emission reduction training and roadmap development

After the carbon footprint calculation, companies will attend emission reduction training in autumn 2026. This will cover impactful emission reduction measures, roadmaps toward carbon neutrality, and issues related to carbon offsetting. After the training, each company will independently prepare its own roadmap toward its climate goals.

To support roadmap preparation, sparring workshops will be organized in October-November 2026. These will address sector-specific issues, emission reduction opportunities, and participants’ questions. All trainings and workshops will be conducted online.

6. Readiness to apply to the Chamber of Commerce’s Climate Community

At the end of the Climate Program, all participant companies that have completed the entire program will be eligible to apply for the Climate Community of the Central Chamber of Commerce, which helps companies continue and further develop their climate work.

In the first Climate Program of the Central Chamber of Commerce in 2024, a total of 218 small and medium-sized enterprises from all over Finland participated. This year’s program, launched at the beginning of the year, includes up to 306 Finnish SMEs. The next Climate Program will start in January 2026, again seeking 300 new companies to join.

The Climate Program is organized by the Central Chamber of Commerce, enabled by LähiTapiola.