The annual report on the University of Helsinki's sustainability and responsibility efforts has been released, highlighting measures related to research, teaching, public engagement, daily life and operations as well as governance and management at the University.
The University of Helsinki's sustainability report, Overview of Sustainable Wellbeing - Sustainability and Responsibility at the University of Helsinki in 2025, has now been published. Through examples, it describes the scope and diversity of sustainability and responsibility efforts and measures throughout the University. The report also describes the progress of the measures in the sustainability and responsibility plan and the equality and diversity plan in 2025.
Examples of sustainability and responsibility measures in 2025:
Responsible research and new sustainability-themed degree programmes
- The University's measures to promote responsible research included the deployment of the digital MyResearch service, supporting researchers in planning and documenting responsible research and easing the process of applying for ethics reviews. The University also identified key development targets related to open science.
- The University decided to establish several new sustainability-themed degree programmes, including the Master's Programme in Nature, Society and Environmental Solutions and the Master's Programme in Technologies for Sustainable Use of Renewable Resources. The Una Europa Joint Bachelor in Sustainability (BASUS) programme, developed over several years within the Una Europa alliance, launched in the autumn.
We took measures for international impact and collaboration
- In November, the University participated in the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil. The purpose of conference participation was to highlight the central role of research-based knowledge in global climate discussions.
- The University was admitted to the esteemed international Universitas 21 network, which emphasises sustainability, equality, diversity and accessibility. The network brings together top-level universities from all continents.
Measures for equality and diversity
- Accessibility information on University buildings was published. In the future, this information will be available in advance, helping users to assess facility accessibility. Building accessibility information is available in the open City of Helsinki Service Map, among other channels.
- The University increased salary transparency. In 2025, the University published salary statistics for its staff by title for the first time, as it wishes to exceed the openness and transparency requirements of the pay transparency directive of the EU.
New plans guiding work published
- In 2025, the University published new plans for the period 2025-2028 for sustainability and responsibility as well as equality and diversity. Both documents compile key measures, including schedules and responsibilities. The measures progressed as planned, with many completed already in the first year of implementation. Further information is available in the report appendices.
- Established at the beginning of 2025, the Sustainable Wellbeing unit at University Services is responsible for the overall promotion and coordination of sustainability and responsibility efforts. It supports and develops measures for equality and diversity as well as student and staff wellbeing, and oversees staff skills development.
