The sustainability and responsibility plan focuses on the promotion of sustainable wellbeing at the University and in society.
Responsibility efforts are carried out at the University of Helsinki through its core duties of research, teaching and public engagement, as well as in its development of everyday operations, governance and management. The sustainability and responsibility plan for the period 2025-2028, the second of its kind at the University, revolves around promoting sustainable wellbeing.
Sustainable wellbeing denotes acting within and upholding the planetary boundaries while simultaneously fostering the wellbeing of people and communities - a sustainable social foundation, says Anne Portaankorva, Vice-Rector for sustainability and responsibility at the University of Helsinki.
The measures included in the plan focus particularly on promoting sustainable wellbeing through the development of the University's operating culture and decision-making, as well as through investment in competencies. The plan also emphasises that these themes are closely connected.
There are more than 40 measures altogether, including calculating the University's adverse impacts on nature, improving accessibility, as well as developing the provision of sustainability education and the responsible assessment of research. In addition, the measures cover promoting scientific literacy, popularising research and clarifying decision-making on sustainability.
"The measures outlined in the plan are examples of the diverse and broad-based efforts carried out at the University to promote sustainability and responsibility. In addition to making this work transparent, the purpose of the plan is to help integrate sustainability and responsibility increasingly effectively into all University operations," Portaankorva adds.
The plan was drawn up in broad collaboration with the University community and the University's alumni.
