University of Oulu published its first sustainability report
The sustainability report looks at the different ways in which the University of Oulu has promoted sustainable development and responsibility. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (Agenda 2030) serve as a framework for examining the activities. Publishing a sustainability report is part of development work based on the updated strategy of the University of Oulu.
"In the University of Oulu's strategy, we have outlined that ecological, cultural, social and economic sustainability and responsibility are the starting point for all our activities. Global challenges based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a pervasive theme in our activities," says Development Director Johanna Bluemink.
The research activities of the University of Oulu are specifically targeted at tackling major sustainability challenges. In 2023, the University of Oulu launched two new profiling programmes funded by the Academy of Finland, with themes directly related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Frontiers of Arctic and Global Resilience (FRONT) explores resilience building and seeks solutions to complex resilience challenges. Hydrogen Future as a Climate Change Solution (H2FUTURE) explores future-oriented solutions for clean hydrogen production. The Digital Waters flagship aims to enable sustainable solutions for water management through water research and digital representation of real-world water systems.
The university is actively developing its education offering on sustainable development. In 2023, the University of Oulu joined the national Sustainability Studies Network and piloted sustainability education for university teachers.
The dimensions of cultural and social sustainability and responsibility are also seen as important at the University of Oulu. Work on diversity, equity and inclusion has been strengthened through internal development activities. The university’s first specialist on diversity issues started working at the university in 2023.
"In the past year, we have made big progress, especially in research, in reducing the carbon footprint of the campus and in promoting social sustainability," says Sustainability and Responsibility Specialist Anni Huovinen. "In the coming academic year, the University of Oulu's Working Group on Sustainability and Responsibility would like to make sustainability in education a specific area for development."
Sustainability and responsibility are also taken into account in the daily operations of the campuses. The University of Oulu's carbon footprint has decreased by 33.6% compared to 2019. In 2023, the largest share of the university's carbon footprint came from procurement and business travel. In 2023, the University of Oulu used carbon-neutral district heating and electricity. The university also phased out the use of oil on the Kontinkangas campus, updated its travel guidelines and introduced an employee bicycle benefit. The university aims to halve its carbon footprint by 2025 compared to the 2019 reference year, and to become carbon-neutral by 2030.
More information: Sustainable development and responsibility at the University of Oulu