Sustainability

Sustainable campus

The key environmental impacts of the campus are related to energy consumption and transport. A sustainable and carbon neutral campus is at the core of the campus strategy.
Väre ja Kauppakorkeakoulu aurinkopaneelit Kuva: Mikko Raskinen / Aalto-yliopisto
Image: Mikko Raskinen / Aalto University

We operate and develop our campus and our other sites in line with the principles of sustainable development. The key environmental impacts of the campus are related to energy consumption, transport and recycling, and we work actively to develop the energy efficiency of our existing property portfolio and to reduce energy consumption in our campuses.

At the Aalto University campus we actively work to develop the energy efficiency of our present building base and to decrease energy consumption. Aalto University Campus & Real Estate (Aalto CRE), which manages Aalto's properties, makes an effort to produce its own energy in an environmentally-friendly manner.

Carbon neutral campus 2030

The former target to achieve Energy self-sufficient Otaniemi 2030 has been updated to aim towards carbon neutrality by 2030. Energy consumption is the biggest part of campus emissions, so promoting a holistic and smart regional energy system is still at the core of reducing emissions. For example, Aalto Works Energy solution is an innovative project to make a local block self-sufficient. All campus activities aim to be low in carbon emissions, and the aim is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 especially in terms of energy consumption.

Aalto University planning guidelines

Aalto University's planning guidelines define the objectives for the design of the university's buildings, their facilities and signs. The principles of sustainable development and accessibility are followed in the development and use of the facilities. In renovation and new projects, the goal is energy and resource efficiency as well as the utilization of renewable energy sources as comprehensively as possible. 

Energy consumption and production on campus

Sustainable Mobility Action Plan for the Otaniemi Campus

Aalto University aims to be a pioneer in sustainable mobility, and the Otaniemi campus is the perfect test bed for this goal. The Sustainable Mobility Action Plan for the Otaniemi campus has been drawn up as user-oriented and in interaction with the Aalto community.

Read more about Otaniemi's sustainable mobility action plan
Kesä kampuksella
Aalto Lush Greenery

Campus Sustainability team

The main mission of the Campus Sustainability team is to promote sustainable development through the perspectives of ecological, social and economic responsibility.

Sustainability
Solar energy panels on a rooftop in Otaniemi

Energy efficiency agreements create concrete targets and incentives for energy savings

Aalto CRE is committed to reducing campus energy consumption regarding to the national energy effiency agreement for facilities (TETS).

Campus

Building a sustainable campus

Kandidaattikeskus

Otakaari 1 renovation

The renovation of the building was a massive project that was carried out in four phases during 2007–2015

Sustainability
Kampus campus Kuva: Unto Rautio / Aalto-yliopisto

School as a Service

One purpose of this experiment is to test flexible and cost-efficient operating models that can later be expanded and scaled to apply to other educational institutes and services

Sustainability
Otakaari 1 Kuva: Aino Huovio / Aalto-yliopisto

Lobby screens as part of campus service communication

The main goals of these lobby screens were to more easily communicate information about modification, repair and maintenance projects in buildings

Sustainability
LED street lamp

LED-lights

Investments in LED lighting have been made in several buildings on the campus - LEDs save energy and reduce the need for maintenance

Sustainability
Maarintalo

Lightning system reneval in Maarintalo

The lighting systems of Maarintalo were modernised in Autumn 2013 as the illuminance of the former system fell below recommended limits

Sustainability
campus kampus Otakaari 1 winter talvi Kuva: Mikko Raskinen / Aalto-yliopisto

Utilising local heat production

A Master’s thesis made for the Aalto University Campus & Real Estate (Aalto CRE) in 2015 produced information on advancing the energy self-sufficiency on campus

Sustainability
Maarintie 8

Demand response for district heating in the Maarintie 8 building

The Maarintie 8 building located in Otaniemi houses, among others, the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management and the Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation.

Sustainability
Otaniemen kampuksen puistonäkymä

Fighting climate change with more conscious office supply orders

Sustainability is an important criterion when choosing an office supply provider.

Sustainability
An Aalto pen lying on the page of a study book, students working in the background / photo by Aalto University, Aino Huovio

Sustainability reports

Science, technology and arts play an important role in solving global sustainability problems. Aalto University’s strength is its strong multidisciplinary approach to humanity’s greatest challenges, such as environmental crises.

Sustainability
Aalto Party 2017. Photo: Aalto University/ Pinja Valja

Sustainable Aalto

Understood through all its dimensions - ecological, social, economic and cultural - we are committed to carrying out our activities in a sustainable manner. For example, we work actively to develop the energy efficiency of our property portfolio and to reduce energy consumption in our campuses.

Sustainability
Aalto University Campus

Instructions and tips for a sustainable life

Our green campus is made of small and large activities.

Sustainability
Väliaikainen suojatie
Campus, University Published:

Temporary pedestrian crossing replaces the underpass during the construction work

The Otaniemi underpass and its stairs will be replaced with a more accessible pedestrian and cycling connection.
Spacecatalog phone app
Campus Published:

Rent a meeting room on the Aalto University campus with just a few clicks – organise a meeting, workshop or event in Otaniemi

Aalto University Campus & Real Estate (ACRE) has opened a new online service of rental the meeting and event facilities located on Aalto University's Otaniemi campus.
Kampuksen uudet ulkokalusteet
Campus, Studies Published:

Vote for the best idea! How do we spend 14 000 euros on student wellbeing?

In autumn 2024, students were asked to come up with ideas on how the university should spend 14 000 euros to improve student wellbeing on campus. Now it's time to vote for the best idea to be implemented during spring 2025.
Campus Sustainability Champion 2024 voittajat
Awards and Recognition, Campus Published:

Student-driven projects to become Campus Sustainability Champions

This year, two student-led projects were selected as Campus Sustainability Champions. The awards were presented at the annual ACRE Day on 9 October 2024.
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