Sustainability and responsibility

Welcome to explore UniSport’s sustainability work, which focuses on ecological, social and economic responsibility on our journey towards a sustainable and equal future. UniSport’s sustainability and responsibility plan follows the principles of the sustainability and responsibility programmes of all our owner universities.

UniSport’s mission is to encourage an active lifestyle by providing services within the university community, and this core task is our most important responsibility goal. We are part of a transformative university community that aims to promote wellbeing both within the university and in society at large.

UniSport’s Sustainability and Responsibility Plan 2025–2026

Explore UniSport’s full sustainability and responsibility plan here.

UniSport’s mission is to encourage an active lifestyle by providing services within the university community, and this core task is our most important responsibility goal. We are part of a transformative university community that aims to promote wellbeing both within the university and in society at large.

We believe that true sustainable wellbeing can only be achieved when the wellbeing of individuals and the planet is seen as a whole. Therefore, we measure our performance not only through financial sustainability but also through social and ecological impacts. Responsibility is not a separate goal for us, but part of everything we do.

We have updated the 2026 sustainability and responsibility plan and structured the whole into a clear three‑level model. This helps us monitor progress transparently and communicate our goals clearly.

Core objectives

According to the report, UniSport’s sustainability work is based on two core objectives:

  1. Social and economic sustainability
  2. Ecological sustainability

Key development actions

Each core objective is divided into concrete key development actions that guide our practical work. The key development actions defined in the report are:

Social and economic sustainability:

  • We promote equality and prevent discrimination
  • We make economically sustainable decisions
  • We carry out responsible procurement
  • We implement responsible employer practices

Ecological sustainability:

  • We promote circular economy and reduce mixed waste
  • We reduce energy consumption and improve energy efficiency
  • We monitor our carbon footprint annually and implement concrete emission‑reduction measures

Concrete examples from everyday operations

Each key development action includes practical examples listed in the report, which you can explore in UniSport’s sustainability and responsibility plan.

UniSport's carbon footprint

UniSport is known to be the first sports centre in Finland to publish its carbon footprint. The carbon footprint was assessed for the first time in 2023 as part of a master’s thesis, Path to Carbon Neutrality: Carbon Footprint Report for UniSport. The result was 743 tCO₂e. Since then, we have decided to monitor our carbon footprint annually and reduce our emissions systematically.

Carbon footprint in 2024

In 2024, UniSport’s carbon footprint was 650 tCO₂e, compared to 743 tCO₂e the previous year. The decrease is mainly due to more accurate calculation methods, such as conducting our own travel mode survey and refining centre-specific energy consumption data. The calculation is based on the international GHG Protocol and ISO standards. More precise calculation gives UniSport a clearer understanding of the climate impacts of its operations and helps target emission reduction measures correctly.

Emission distribution

Our carbon footprint consists of three main categories:

  • Scope 1 – direct emissions (0.2%): UniSport’s own diesel van.
  • Scope 2 – purchased energy (72.4%): district heating and electricity.
  • Scope 3 – indirect emissions (24.7%): e.g., customer and staff travel, cleaning services, waste management and water use.

Actions taken

We have carried out several measures that reduce emissions and support sustainable everyday practices:

  • Monitoring energy consumption and shortening sauna opening hours
  • Paperless receipts and favouring recyclable products
  • We began a survey to define sustainability criteria for purchasing equipment.
  • Customer and staff travel surveys – resulting in more accurate emission calculations
  • Gender-neutral changing rooms and accessibility assessments
  • Safer space principles in all centres

Goals

  • Our sustainability work continues through four focus areas:
  • Energy efficiency and reduced consumption
  • Sustainable procurement and lifecycle thinking for equipment
  • Supporting sustainable mobility
  • Developing a model for a carbon-neutral sports centre

We have already implemented significant sustainability measures, but the work is not finished. Sustainability is part of UniSport’s everyday operations, and the plan is continuously complemented with new actions.

 

Guidelines of safer space at UniSport

UniSport’s safer space principles The purpose of the principles is to prevent inappropriate behaviour, such as harassment, bullying and discrimination in higher education sports, and to support intervening in such situations. By treating others with respect, we create an equal and communal atmosphere in university sports. These principles apply to both customers and staff and to all UniSport operations.

Explore UniSport’s safer space principles.

This page has been translated with the help of AI.