Sustainable campuses

Using space more effectively

We can reduce our environmental load by using space more efficiently. In the future, we will explore our possibilities to make our operations more compact on all campuses and utilise the opportunities created by remote work.

Increasing energy efficiency

Promoting energy efficiency is part of energy and climate policies aimed at reducing the amount of consumed energy in Finland and the EU. Improved energy efficiency reduces CO2 emissions, lowers energy consumption and produces cost savings (Energy Authority).

The primary owner of the properties is the University Properties of Finland Ltd (SYK), which is part of the Energy Efficiency Agreement for Property Sector. SYK’s energy management service will provide us with reports on the consumption of electricity, heat and water. Higher education institutes will buy 100% green electricity and use district heating.

The roof of the Linnanmaa campus has a solar power system. Some of the solar panels are used for research as well as electricity production. The production of solar power was started in autumn 2020.

Measures:

• We will reduce energy consumption in collaboration with property owners.

Monitoring:

• We will monitor properties’ consumption readings and make the monitoring data available for everyone.

Sorting and recycling

We will make the sorting and recycling of waste on campuses more effective. The biowaste produced on campuses will be used to produce biogas. Packaging waste (plastic, glass, metal and carton packaging) sorted in coffee rooms will be recycled as material, likewise cardboard. Burnable waste will be turned into energy.

The University of Oulu will use local service providers to organise the recycling or treatment of waste electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE), old furniture and equipment, confidential paper materials, metal scrap and hazardous waste.

Our goal for 2025 is to increase the degree of material recovery of waste generated on campuses by 50% and to reduce the amount of burnable waste generated on campuses by 50%.

Measures:

• We will continue to upgrade the waste sorting options in break rooms. Each break room will have a separate waste container for the following types of waste: biowaste, plastic, carton, glass and metal packaging and burnable waste. The waste containers will be clearly marked.
• We will place written waste sorting instructions in the break rooms for everyone to see.
• We will promote the reuse and recycling of goods.
• We will phase out individual waste bins at each workstation and switch to space-specific, centralised solutions.
• We will look for waste management solutions aimed at material recovery for waste types that are still lacking ones.

Monitoring:

• We will monitor the carbon footprint and volume of waste by type.
• We will monitor the degree of material recovery of the different types of waste.

Travel is a key component of our carbon footprint. By travel, we mean trips taken for work purposes. We will reduce the carbon footprint of travelling in a controlled way and support the possibilities of using remote connections.

By commuting, we mean students and personnel commuting to campuses. We encourage personnel and students to commute to campuses by means of public transport, and we will create more opportunities to commute by bicycle or on foot.

Measures:

We will reduce travelling, especially by plane. We will favour means of travel that support sustainable development.

• We will introduce the Ekstra Class as a standard for travelling by train.
• We will start using a variety of remote connections in a more versatile manner.
• We will update our travelling instructions from the perspective of sustainable travelling.

We will make it easier to commute to campuses by using public transport or by cycling or walking.

• We will make it easier to commute by bike by providing bike parking, e-bike charging and bike maintenance facilities.
• We will explore opportunities for introducing company-owned bikes.
• We will contribute to improving public transport and monitoring current improvements.

We will promote sustainable development in cars used by the University of Oulu.

• We will reduce the number of cars we own and prioritise renting over owning.

We will add charging stations for electric and hybrid cars on campuses.

Monitoring:

• We will monitor the carbon footprint of travelling for work.
• We will monitor the number and ratio of different forms of transportation.
• We will calculate the carbon footprint of the cars used by the University of Oulu and look for ways to reduce their carbon footprint.

The aim of regulating procurement is to use our resources effectively, benefit from competition on the market, have equal and non-discriminatory treatment of candidates and tenderers, pursue publicity and transparency, and promote the functioning of the market.

We will assess the environmental stress of products, avoid unnecessary procurement and recycle furniture and equipment. We are involved in the Hansel Framework Agreement where sustainable development is an important criterion for procurement.

Measures:

• We will emphasise responsibility and sustainable development in procurement and give the issue visibility.
• We will buy furniture and office supplies from operators who adhere to the principles of circular economy.
• We will recycle furniture on campuses.
• We will extend the lifecycle of the computers we are using.

Monitoring:

• We will calculate the carbon footprint of our procurement.

Our aim is to support healthy and environmentally friendly choices in campus restaurants and to reduce food waste. The climate and emission impacts caused by lunch meals are part of the carbon footprint of each individual, not the organisation. But we can still influence individual choices and carbon footprint on an institutional level by increasing messaging about sustainable lunch choices and by actively cooperating with restaurant service providers.

The service providers have been selected through competitive tendering. The companies providing restaurant services have their own environmental and quality programmes.

Measures:

• We will cooperate more closely with restaurant service providers operating on campuses. We will organise regular cooperation meetings around the theme of sustainability and responsibility.
• We will work to bring visibility on the issue of food waste in restaurant services with the aim of reducing waste.
• We will work to have information in lunch lists on the origin of ingredients, including whether they have been produced in Finland.
• We will use ceramic mugs, cups and plates in events organised by the University of Oulu.
• We will strive to influence the carbon footprint caused by restaurant services.

Monitoring:

• We will include weekly statistics of food waste on restaurant display screens.
• We will calculate the annual carbon footprint of food waste.
• We will monitor the monthly rate of food served that is produced in Finland.