Creative forerunner – responsible actor

The University of Lapland is a creative pioneer and a responsible actor. Its mission is to generate new knowledge and expertise to promote the well-being and operational conditions of the Arctic region. The university also aims to strengthen the responsibility of individuals and communities.

Strategy – responsible Arctic university community

The University of Lapland, together with Lapland University of Applied Sciences, forms a community with specialised expertise in global Arctic responsibility, sustainable tourism, future services and reachability.

According to the joint strategy of the Lapland University Consortium, the community operates in an ecologically, socially and economically sustainable manner, in continuous interaction with stakeholders and partners.

Commitment to Unifi’s theses on sustainable development and responsibility

A working group appointed by Universities Finland (Unifi) has formulated 12 theses on sustainable development and responsibility to spark discussion within the university community and to build a shared commitment. In addition to the theses, concrete actions are needed.

The cross-cutting and diverse nature of sustainability goals offers every member of the university community numerous opportunities for active engagement, dialogue, and action. A multi-voiced and inclusive discussion is the first step in putting these theses into practice.

Unifi’s theses

Responsibility programme

The theme of sustainability and responsibility is broad and complex. Goals are best achieved through systematic action. The framework for this action is provided by the Sustainability and responsibility programme, which guides our work community toward a more sustainable and responsible future.

Goals of the Sustainability and responsibility programme

  • We report and communicate our sustainability and responsibility efforts regularly and in diverse ways.
  • Our university community is aware of the multidimensional nature of sustainability and responsibility in everyday life.
  • We identify and define the key areas for development, along with the actions needed to achieve our goals.
  • Considering sustainability and responsibility is an integral part of our daily operations.

Other programmes

The University of Lapland’s Equality and Non-Discrimination Plan for 2025–2026 guides the university’s operations toward a more equal and inclusive university community. The plan aims to promote gender equality and non-discrimination in all activities, prevent discrimination and harassment and improve accessibility. The goal is to ensure that every member of the university community can act creatively as their authentic self.

The plan outlines concrete measures such as evaluating and developing recruitment practices, pay equality and workplace well-being. It also includes the implementation of an accessibility plan covering physical, psychological and digital environments. The realisation of equality and non-discrimination is monitored and assessed through working groups such as the Equality Committee. Training is provided for supervisors, and leadership systems are developed. The well-being of students and staff is supported through the Work+ programme.

The University of Lapland’s Environmental Programme 2024–2026 brings together the university’s environmental principles, goals and concrete actions to achieve them. The programme aims to strengthen the university’s environmentally responsible operations, clarify environmental management and position the University of Lapland as a pioneer in sustainable development.

The programme has been prepared by the university’s environmental working group and meets both the university’s internal goals and the criteria of WWF’s Green Office. The latest audit was successfully completed in August 2023. The Green Office initiative engages the entire university community – students and staff – in environmental efforts.

The programme also includes practices for responsibility allocation, monitoring, and reporting. The University of Lapland is committed to reducing energy consumption, water usage and waste generation, as well as promoting biodiversity on campus. The goal is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. The environmental working group continuously monitors the implementation of the programme and develops its activities.

Environmental Goals of the University of Lapland by 2026

  1. Objective: Reduction of energy consumption
    Target: Reduce energy consumption (electricity, heating) by 3% from the 2023 level by the end of 2026
    Indicator: Electricity/heating consumption in kWh/person/year
  2. Objective: Reduction of water consumption
    Target: Reduce water consumption by 3% from the 2023 level by the end of 2026
    Indicator: Water consumption in litres/person/year
  3. Objective: Reduction of incinerable and landfill waste
    Target: Reduce the amount of incinerable and landfill waste by 3% from the 2023 level by 2026
    Indicator: Waste amount in kg/year/person

These environmental goals apply to the University of Lapland’s main building.

Additionally, the agreement between the Ministry of Education and Culture and the University of Lapland for the years 2021–2024 includes a commitment for the university to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.

Last updated: 26.9.2025