Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences aims to be carbon neutral by 2030. Last year's targets were met ahead of schedule due to the coronavirus.
Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences achieved its emissions reduction target last year ahead of schedule.
Emissions fell by more than a third overall, mainly due to changes in working methods, travel and study following the corona pandemic.
About 80 percent of Haaga-Helia's carbon footprint consists of energy use, which is why one of the key milestones is the transition of campuses to green electricity and district heating.
For the transition, a detailed study has been carried out, which shows the origin of all the electricity and heat used by Haaga-Helia.
- Our goal is for all our campuses to run on green electricity by 2023 and district heating by 2024, says Administrative Director Kari Salmi.
To date, four of Haaga-Helia's five campuses have switched to using green electricity. In addition, solar panels have been installed on the roof of the Porvoo campus, which generate electricity for the campus' own use.
Haaga-Helia is involved in the Climate Commitment program established by the Central Chamber of Commerce, in which it is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 at the latest.
In addition, the UAS is also involved in the City of Helsinki's Climate Partnership Network, which aims to establish cooperation to reduce climate emissions and strengthen the competitiveness of companies.
The exceptional measures of the Corona year did not significantly affect the operational capacity of Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences. Last year, university students completed a total of 482,914 study credits, which is more than 3 percent more than in 2019.
Our research, development and innovation activities also remained resilient.
Haaga-Helia is aware that a prosperous university needs a vibrant domain. This is why the experts of the university of applied sciences responded to the distress of small businesses when the coronavirus slowed down the Finnish economy in the spring of 2020.
Among other things, companies were offered free consulting assistance for business development and applying for emergency financing.
Haaga-Helia was also involved with Metropolia and Laurea polytechnics in providing free education and coaching services to tourism, restaurant and leisure companies severely affected by the coronary virus.
At Haaga-Helia, responsibility is a strategic choice that is increasingly visible in the everyday life of the university, from teaching to developing sustainable growth and reducing energy consumption.
