Climate actions at Häme University of Applied Science (HAMK), Finland

Abstract

Sustainable development (SD) strategy of HAMK has directed e.g. developing energy efficient solutions among other sustainability efforts in the university. Participating in GreenMetric rankings gives us useful data to improve comprehensively SD operations of the university. HAMK has long tradition to reduce its ecological footprint: for example, today half of the energy demand is fulfilled by green energy sources bought from the markets. During recent years, less emitting fuel sources and smart energy technologies had implemented on campus. In Finland, national Covid-pandemic actions were closed entire campuses for months, and hence energy consumption (heating and electricity) reduced even during cold winter-spring season. Evidently, above responsible actions have positive impact to the energy budget of the university. However, the university continuously developing pandemic-independent smart energy solutions for possible forthcoming energy crises as well as demands for the carbon neutrality (e.g. EU’s Green Deal). Multidiciplinary research (an ecological handprint) for the energy industry sector for climate-wise solutions are in the focus of many RDI-projects and are included in the HAMK’s strategic research agenda. Multiple energy sources (fuels) and balance in energy costs increase university’s resilience in uncertain future.