The strategy 2021–2030 of the University of Helsinki outlines that we want to be a leader in responsibility and sustainability. Ambitious targets do not happen overnight nor without concrete actions. This plan presents an overview of the University of Helsinki’s sustainability targets and initiatives for 2022–2024. This collection of initiatives championed by various units, groups and individuals highlights our effort to integrate sustainability and responsibility into everything we do and move from single initiatives to a more holistic sustainability approach.
In its strategic plan, the University has set the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. The roadmap for a carbon neutral University by 2030 includes steps to reach the University’s related goals. We promote ecological sustainability by reducing the carbon footprint of our operations through investment in smart energy solutions, low-emission travel and transport as well as sustainable eating habits and procurement.
This report presents highlights from our sustainability and responsibility efforts in 2022. It is a collection of activities related to research, teaching, public engagement and our everyday operations. This is the third comprehensive report on the sustainability and responsibility efforts of the University of Helsinki.
As one of the highlights of the year, we released our sustainability and responsibility plan for the period 2022–2024 in March. In this report, we will demonstrate how we made progress in terms of the measures included in the plan during its first implementation period.
The report has been split into sections on the website to improve readability and accessibility. The full report can also be downloaded in a low-resolution format.
Table of contents, Foreword by Vice-Rector Tom Böhling, and introduction of the report.
The organisational structure and operating culture of the University create the preconditions for the promotion of sustainability and responsibility. The University of Helsinki's strategy for 2021–2030 states that sustainability and responsibility will guide all of the University's operations. Sustainability-themed research centres, communities and institutes support our sustainability and responsibility efforts.
Over the course of the year, we progressed as planned in the three priority areas chosen for the governance and management element of the report. For example, we established a sustainability fund, included sustainability themes in target negotiations held with the rector and launched a sustainability and responsibility network open to the entire University community. In other words, the efforts to integrate sustainability and responsibility into all of our
governance are well underway.
Over the course of the year, we made progress in the priority areas chosen for research as expected and achieved, among others, the following goals: For example, we increased the number of strategic doctoral researcher positions in the multidisciplinary research themes of sustainable development by recruiting 10 multidisciplinary doctoral researchers focused on these themes, strengthened our global partnerships by establishing an exchange programme for early-career researchers at African universities and contributed to protecting threatened scholars through the Scholars at Risk network.
In the priority areas associated with teaching, we took big strides towards our goals during the year, some of which were achieved. Among other things, we published a sustainability micro-credential long under preparation in the Una Europa alliance, and included sustainability studies in the curricula of degree programmes to be launched in autumn 2023. We also implemented the One Health Early Career Champions partnership with the University of Nairobi.
Over the course of the year, we made progress according to plan in many aspects of the priority areas for societal interaction. We strove to bring
research-based knowledge to the public by organising several sustainability-themed events open to all during the year. We made the theme of sustainability and responsibility an increasingly integral part of all University communications. Together with Aalto University, we organised the annual Sustainability Science Days conference. To strengthen responsible partnerships, we updated the ethical guidelines for business collaboration. In addition, we created opportunities for promoting innovations focused on sustainability.
Over the course of the year, we progressed as planned in many of the priority areas chosen to promote everyday sustainability and responsibility. For example, we drew up the Carbon neutral University of Helsinki by 2030 roadmap, which was published in April 2023. We intensified the use of workspaces, creating better opportunities for hybrid work and, consequently, the reduction of commuting. We revised the University’s procurement and tendering principles, which emphasise the principles of moderation, sustainability and responsibility. With the focus on disability inclusion in our equality and diversity efforts in 2022, we provided our staff related training and developed our operations from the perspective of inclusion. We also took steps to improve student wellbeing and continued to promote anti-racism efforts.
This report presents highlights from our sustainability and responsibility efforts in 2021. It is a collection of activities related to research, teaching, public engagement and our everyday operations. This is the second comprehensive report on the sustainability and responsibility efforts of the University of Helsinki.
The report has been split into sections on the website to improve readability and accessibility. The full report can also be downloaded in a low-resolution format.
Table of contents, Foreword by Vice-Rector Tom Böhling, and introduction of the report.
The organisational structure and operating culture of the University create the preconditions for the promotion of sustainability and responsibility. The University of Helsinki's strategy for 2021–2030 states that sustainability and responsibility will guide all of the University's operations. Sustainability-themed research centres, communities and institutes support our sustainability and responsibility efforts.
At the University of Helsinki, we promote sustainable development in a range of disciplines on all of our campuses. The University has 40,000 students and researchers and 11 faculties conducting groundbreaking multidisciplinary research.
Sustainability issues are linked to all fields of education, and we offer perspectives of sustainable development as part of many degree programmes, courses and study modules. During 2021, we piloted a multidisciplinary Sustainability course that is offered to all University of Helsinki students and we made efforts to strengthen discipline-specific sustainability expertise.
During 2021, we intensified and increased collaboration with both new and established partners. Sustainability themes are a key element of our partnerships and societal impact. We collaborate on sustainability themes with cities, businesses and foundations. Another important element is cooperation with other universities and government research institutes, both in Finland and abroad.
Sustainability and responsibility in academic day-to-day life includes the development of administration, efforts related to equality and diversity, the promotion of a carbon-neutral circular economy and biodiversity, as well as responsible investment.
This is the first comprehensive report on the sustainability and responsibility efforts of the University of Helsinki. At the beginning of the new strategy period 2021–2030, we are taking a look at the past to better plan for the future. This report is a review of our sustainability and responsibility work carried out in the previous strategy period of 2017–2020, and a way of making our efforts increasingly transparent and open.
The report has been split into sections on the website to improve readability and accessibility. The full report can also be downloaded in a low-resolution format.
Table of contents, Foreword by Rector Sari Lindblom, and introduction of the report.
The organisational structure and operating culture of the University create the preconditions for the promotion of sustainability and responsibility. In the strategy period 2017–2020, we established a committee for sustainability and responsibility at the University, which is responsible for the development and monitoring of sustainability and responsibility efforts as well as related reporting. Sustainability-themed research centres, communities and institutes support our sustainability and responsibility efforts.
At the University of Helsinki, we promote sustainable development in a range of disciplines on all of our campuses. The University has 40,000 students and researchers and 11 faculties conducting groundbreaking multidisciplinary research.
Sustainability issues are linked to all fields of education, and we offer perspectives of sustainable development as part of many degree programmes, courses and study modules. Themes related to sustainable development are taught at almost all faculties, from the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences to the Faculty of Arts.
To realise our vision – Global impact in interaction – we intensified and increased collaboration with both new and established partners. Sustainability themes are a key element of our partnerships and societal impact. We collaborate on sustainability themes with cities, businesses and foundations. Another important element is cooperation with other universities and government research institutes, both in Finland and abroad.
Sustainability and responsibility in academic day-to-day life includes the development of administration, efforts related to equality and diversity, the promotion of a carbon-neutral circular economy and biodiversity, as well as responsible investment.
Explore our thematic, sectoral and unit-specific reports on sustainability and responsibility.