Sustainable development at TAMK
Our values guide the development of education and RDI activities to build a more sustainable future. In practice, this is done through strengthening students' sustainability competence and co-developing with working life.
We are committed to the sustainable development roadmap of the Tampere University Community and we are implementing it for our part.
Our work on sustainability and social responsibility is also based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Sustainable, Responsible and Carbon-neutral Higher Education Programme of Arene (The Rectors’ Conference of Finnish UAS).
Reporting our sustainability efforts
We report annually on the measures taken to promote sustainability and responsibility. From 2024, we started to deliver TAMK's own sustainability and responsibility report. The report is ready in Finnish and will be later published in English too.
In the previous years, we implemented carbon footprint reports together with Tampere University.
Progress in 2024
In 2024, we invested in strengthening the sustainability competence of our personnel. Each RDI project is linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In addition, we started working as a part of the European Uninovis Alliance. One of the key themes of Uninovis is sustainability management through knowledge.
Education as a promoter of sustainable development
Sustainable future is one of the pedagogical principles of all the curricula in our degree programmes. In addition, our curricula are guided by Arene's recommendations on joint competences of universities of applied sciences.
The goal is that every graduate of our Bachelor's Degrees knows the principles of sustainable development, promotes their implementation and acts responsibly as a professional and a member of society. Correspondingly, every graduating Master's Degree student is able to develop and lead sustainable and responsible practices in their work and support sustainability change in their work community and society.
The curricula of the degree programmes contain courses that include perspectives of ecological, social, cultural and economic responsibility or future orientation.
You can see how sustainability is taken into account in our curricula like this:
- Open TAMK's study guide
- Find a degree programme of interest to you in the left menu.
- Open the timing and structure of a certain academic year.
- Click on the "Classification: Sustainability and Responsibility" section on the dark blue background.
Our teaching staff can develop their sustainability expertise through learning badges. In addition, the website of our Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC) provides information and material open to everyone for planning teaching that supports students' sustainability skills.
RDI activities as a promoter of sustainable development
The starting point for our research and development activities is global responsibility and climate change mitigation. We produce solutions for a green and fair transition in areas of expertise that combine our competence with society's changing needs. We have chosen eight theme areas to promote a green and fair transition.
Get to know our RDI theme areas
We are committed to the national Open Science and Research Declaration. We promote the openness of science in all activities of the research community. This includes responsible openness of the operating culture, publishing, research materials and learning.
Sustainable activities on campuses
As a higher education community, we promote resource-wise, environmentally friendly and practices that promote well-being on campuses. The aim is to strengthen sustainable practices in the use and development of campus facilities as well as in the day-to-day operations of the members and partners of the higher education community.
Openness of campus facilities
Our main campus is located in Tampere on Kuntokatu. There are also premises at Mediapolis and Hämeenpuisto.
In normal circumstances, the general premises of the campuses are widely open to students and staff of our university.
The facilities on the main campus can also be used by actors outside the community, such as companies, organisations and individual citisens. It is also possible to get services such as the organisation of meetings and events from our University Community.
Tampere University Library also produces library services for TAMK's Main Campus.
Green and forested areas
The courtyards and green areas of TAMK's Main Campus are mainly open to everyone.
There is also an open outdoor learning space called Metsälämpäre (forest plot) in our yard. Metsälämpäre is a forest-based teaching space with wooden stools and wooden benches. Students and staff make great use of it for study, meetings and coffee. The purpose of Metsälämpäre is to bring nature close to the everyday life of the university and thus improve the well-being of students.
Metsälämpäre was developed by a project called Forest Prescription. The aim of the project was to to promote student well-being, enhance student satisfaction, progress in studies, and establish a lasting connection with nature.
Photo: Ulla HäggblomWaste management and recycling
We aim to promote the efficient use and sharing of resources on campuses. Examples include services provided by the library and information management. There are also places on campuses where goods can be borrowed, rented or exchanged.
The waste management of campuses is the responsibility of property owners and the Facilities Management team of our University Community. Property owners are responsible for the property's waste points and the organisation of municipal waste management. Our Facilities Management team is responsible for arranging waste management indoors, instructing users, and collecting and transporting waste generated in operations.
Our Facilities Management team has an environmental management system audited by EcoCompass.
Sustainable development commitments and memberships
EcoCompass
We have been certified by the EcoCompass environmental management system, and our certificate is currently valid until 2028. EcoCompass is based on the international ISO 14001 standard and it supports us in adopting and developing environmentally friendly practices. The certificate demonstrates commitment to continuous improvement.
Fair Trade University
In October 2019, we received the Fair Trade University title awarded by Fairtrade Finland. The designation gives recognition to institutions that are committed to promoting sustainable consumption and ethical trade. Maintaining the title also signifies a determination to take global responsibility.
Climate partners
As a Sustainable Tampere 2030 climate partner, we will promote the goal of carbon neutral Tampere by 2030 with the city of Tampere and other regional actors. The network includes over a hundred organisations from the Pirkanmaa region. Its members aim to reduce their climate impact and share experiences and best practices related to climate action.
Organisation and contact details of sustainability and responsibility work
The sustainability and social responsibility group set up by TAMK's management team promotes the integration of the sustainability perspective into the processes and operations of the units and is responsible for monitoring and reporting. The group has representation from all key services of our university and from the beginning of 2025 also from all schools. There is also a student union representative in the group. The group's activities are directed by the Vice President (RDI).
We also promote sustainability and responsibility issues in cooperation with Tampere University. The sustainability and responsibility group of the university includes two representatives of TAMK: the chairman of TAMK's sustainability group and a representative of Facilities Management team. The cooperation between universities is strong especially in sustainability and responsibility communications and carbon footprint calculation.
