University of Helsinki
Strategy of Sustainable Development
Summary
Since 1997, the
University of Helsinki has been committed to following
the principle of sustainable development in all its activities.
In December 1997, Rector Kari Raivio nominated a working
group to draw up a strategy of sustainable development
for the University. A preliminary environmental audit
and the preparation of the practical aspects of the strategy
were assigned to the
Department of Limnology and Environmental Protection .
The aim was to translate the principles of sustainable
development into concrete measures of action. |
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A proposal for a strategy
of sustainable development at the University was submitted
to the Rector on 15 January 1999, and on 17 February 1999 the
University Senate approved the principles of this strategy
paper as the environmental strategy of the University of Helsinki.The
preliminary audit conducted by students revealed no major flaws
in the observation of environmental norms and regulations.
Active students and members of staff have, in fact, contributed
in many ways to steering the University towards sustainable
development. However, there still is room for improvement in
all areas of operation, and the implementation of the principles
of sustainable development requires continuous commitment and
systematic work. The strategy of sustainable development focuses
mainly on ecological sustainability, but economic, social and
cultural impacts have also been taken into consideration in
its preparation and implementation. The aim is to reach the
teaching and research objectives of the University while consuming
less material and energy and reducing waste and emissions.Environmental
management will be adopted as part of University administration
step by step. The University continuously strives to develop
and improve its environmental policy and organisational responsibility,
and its system of follow-up and reporting of environmental
matters. The responsibility for the implementation of the strategy
programme is divided between administrative departments, and
an environmental team has been created in the Administration
Office to coordinate cooperation between the departments. The
aim is to design an environmental management system during
the next 5-10 years that could, if necessary, be certified
on the basis of the ISO 14001 or EMAS standards. Environmentally
adverse operations at the University have been classified into
ten categories. The most significant environmental aspects
are purchases, traffic, building, waste management and consumption
of paper, energy and water. Systematic efforts are being made
to reduce the environmental impacts of all categories, and
the University has the ambitious goal of putting into practice
28 concrete environmental measures by the year 2005. A set
of indicators will be used to monitor the achievement of environmental
objectives.
By the end of 2000, the
University has carried out the following measures: instructions
for purchases have been revised in accordance with environmentally
responsible practices, environmental training has been arranged
for persons responsible for purchases, the University has participated
in a national energy-saving week, parking fees have been introduced,
environmental instructions for staff coffee rooms have been
issued and the recycling of construction wastes and computer
junk has been improved. Environmental
Report for 2000 in English (pdf-format)
.
Further information:
Environmental Advisor Virpi Pyy tel. 358 9 191 22315, E-mail:
Virpi.Pyy@Helsinki.fi
(Päiv.
21.09.05
)
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