Take part in the promotion of sustainability
The University of Helsinki invites members of the University community and its stakeholders to contribute to developing an increasingly sustainable and responsible University. Join us on a journey to make the University of Helsinki a leader in sustainability and responsibility.
Sustainability and responsibility network of the University of Helsinki

The sustainability and responsibility network of the University of Helsinki promotes the transition towards an increasingly sustainable University and society. The network provides a place for learning, networking and influencing related to sustainability and responsibility. 

Join the network!

We invite students, employees and alumni of the University of Helsinki to join sustainability-themed events and be part of a dynamic community. No advance knowledge of sustainability and responsibility is required. Instead, an inquisitive mindset and interest in building an increasingly sustainable world are enough. The network’s operations stem from its participants, reflecting their attitudes and goals.

The network is open to the whole university community - no membership required.

Activities of the sustainability and responsibility network

The sustainability and responsibility network meets four times a year. The thematic meetings include panel discussions, workshops, excursions and information on the University’s sustainability and responsibility efforts.

The network operates throughout the academic year in the network’s own Teams area. Please contact the network's coordinator, Elina Tanninen, if you would like to be involved in the network and become part of the network's Teams group.  

Meetings of the sustainability and responsibility network on 19th of April 2023 at 15.15-17.15

Come and hear about and discuss the significance of climate action and the University of Helsinki’s carbon neutrality efforts. What is the University’s role as a supporter of climate action and what is it doing to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030?  

The meeting will see presentation of the roadmap for a carbon neutral University of Helsinki by 2030, followed by discussion on the University’s climate efforts and steps towards carbon neutrality. In addition, topical activities related to sustainability and responsibility at the University will be introduced, for example, in terms of future events and the development of sustainability expertise.  

The meeting will take place on Viikki Campus, and the presentations will be streamed live (from 15.15 to 16.15). The presentations are in Finnish, with online interpretation available in English. In the workshops, you can use Finnish, Swedish and English.  

15.00–15.15  Informal mingling, with mead and doughnuts 

15.15–15.25 (live streaming begins) Words of welcome and topical issues related to sustainability 

15.25–15.45 Viola Hakkarainen, HELSUS The sustainability crisis and the role of universities as agents of social change.

15.45–16.15 Pekka Joensuu, manager of the project to make the University carbon neutral by 2030 Roadmap for a carbon neutral University of Helsinki by 2030 

16.15–17.15 Workshops (not streamed) 

Participants can choose to attend two thematic workshops according to their interests.  

  • Climate action and carbon neutrality at the University of Helsinki 

  • Organising sustainable events at the University  

  • Sustainable mobility and the University’s travel guidelines 

Time: Wednesday, 19 April from 15.15 to 17.15 (live stream from 15.15 to 16.15) 

Place: Biocenter 1, hall 1401 

Theme: Climate work and carbon neutrality

Past meetings: 

15.12.22 Network's launch event

28.2.23 Network's meeting. The theme was responsible encounters in the university community.

On-campus gardening on all campuses

On-campus gardening is possible on all University of Helsinki campuses. Gardening opportunities are available to the University’s undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as staff. The inspiration for gardening originates in students, and the first grow bags were placed in the courtyards of the Snellmania and Topelia buildings at the City Centre Campus in 2013. 

Fairtrade University

As a Fairtrade university, we are committed to promoting the use and availability of Fairtrade-certified products in our procurement, as well as increasing the University community’s awareness of Fairtrade and its significance to global production and consumption networks. The University’s Fairtrade team, composed of students and staff, plans and implements the University of Helsinki’s Fairtrade activities, including communications, campaign weeks and thematic days. 

Interested? Please reach out to Elina Tanninen