HUS year 2022: Environmental responsibility
The key environmental goals in our responsibility program for 2022 were: drawing up a climate road map; promoting energy efficiency; increasing the number of remote consultations; and reducing food waste.
Our extensive environmental work was also guided by the HUS environmental program 2021–2024, which focuses on: carbon neutral HUS by 2030; prudent resource management and the circular economy at HUS; and acknowledging and learning about environmental responsibility at HUS.
HUS climate road map completed
We were the first university hospital in Finland to compile a long-term climate plan, taking into account the sources of emissions from our operations comprehensively. Our climate road map describes more than 100 measures for reducing greenhouse emissions caused directly and indirectly by our activities. We are aiming to be carbon neutral in our operations by 2030 and are committing to low-carbon procurement and construction.
Energy consumption decreased, energy efficiency goals exceeded
Our total energy consumption decreased by 3.8% on 2021 to 312,000 MWh. Our energy costs, by contrast, increased by 29%, or EUR 7 million. Heating energy consumption decreased by about 8%, as the year under review was warmer than the previous one.
Electricity consumption increased by only 1.7%, despite the addition of the completed Bridge Hospital. In all other areas, our electricity consumption decreased by almost 1% overall.
We attained the goals of our Energy Efficiency Agreement 2017–2025 well ahead of schedule, in autumn 2022. Energy Efficiency Agreements are a means chosen jointly by the state and industries to meet the international energy efficiency obligations imposed on Finland.
Total waste volume down by more than 4%
The volume of waste from our operations decreased by 4.4% on 2021. The total volume of mixed waste decreased by nearly 220 tons, more than 6%. In all, the volume of community waste decreased by nearly 440 tons, or about 7%. The volume of waste paper continued to decrease at about the same rate as in previous years, 18% per annum. The total volume of waste generated was about 7,490 tons.
Food waste reduced by improved monitoring, planning and practices
Our ambitious goal of reducing food waste by 30% was not attained, but the outcome was nevertheless good. In our lunch restaurants, food waste was reduced by 20%. Best practices are being disseminated within HUS through enhanced multi-discipline cooperation.
Increasing remote appointments reduced the environmental impacts of mobility
We simplified the technology used for remote appointments and informed both employees and patients about the potential uses of remote appointments. In the year under review, 24.8% of elective outpatient appointments were remote appointments.
Trained environment managers play an important part
In 2022, we trained 80 new environment managers for various units. Environment managers are a vital component in the HUS in-house environmental network. In their training, they are given an overview of how environmental matters are managed in our organization and the skills with which to promote environmental awareness in everyday work in their respective units.