Responsibility

Ekokompassi is an environmental management system based on the international ISO 14001 standard and owned by the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation.

Ekokompassi helps us identify and manage our environmental impacts as part of our daily operations. Based on the system, we have identified our most significant environmental impacts and set concrete targets and measures, such as improving energy efficiency, developing waste sorting, and reducing emissions.

The Ekokompassi certificate awarded to Espoon Asunnot in 2024 demonstrates that we manage our environmental matters systematically and in a measurable way.

See also:

www.ekokompassi.fi (Briefly in English)

ETJ+ is a Finnish energy efficiency management system that enables us to systematically develop and monitor our energy use. It also incorporates key requirements from the ISO 50001 energy management standard.

ETJ+ provides us with a framework for energy management based on the principle of continuous improvement. This includes, among other things, annual internal audits and management reviews.

Our goal is to certify the ETJ+ system during 2027.

We prepared our first climate roadmap focused on emission reductions in 2023. Most of the measures defined in the roadmap have progressed as planned or have already been completed.

We updated the roadmap in 2025 to cover not only climate targets but also biodiversity and the circular economy. The environmental sustainability roadmap shows how the objectives set in our sustainability programme are put into practice.

The roadmap outlines the key measures through which the targets for 2030 will be achieved. As the means to advance climate targets, biodiversity, and the circular economy are continuously evolving, a detailed annual plan is not presented. Measures are defined and refined on an annual basis.

Our goal is to keep emissions from purchased energy (Scope 2) at zero and to reduce the specific consumption of energy and water annually. Our direct emissions (Scope 1) are already at a low level, and we ensure that they remain low.

Our emissions calculations are based on the GHG Protocol and take into account the reporting requirements of the CSRD.

We also aim for significant reductions in indirect emissions that we can influence. Construction and renovation account for the majority of our total emissions.

Our target is to reduce emissions from new construction (A1–A5) by 40% by 2030 compared to the 2024 level. For renovation, we aim to reduce emissions by 20%.

Our emission reduction efforts are already well underway. For example, we have reduced emissions in new development projects by using low-carbon concrete.

We have been part of the energy efficiency agreement for the real estate sector since 2010. We will continue our energy efficiency efforts during the new agreement period by participating in the action programme for rental housing communities for 2026–2035.

The national energy efficiency agreement (VAETS) guides systematic and impactful energy-saving efforts.

We clearly exceeded the energy savings targets set for the previous agreement period. Energy efficiency has been improved, among other things, through control and automation technologies as well as maintenance measures.

VAETS supports our long-term work in energy conservation and reducing climate impacts.

We use emission-free electricity and district heating in our properties. The emission-free nature of the electricity is based on guarantees of origin from nuclear power.

The district heating we use is the Fortum Uusiutuva (renewable) product. It is produced from renewable biomaterials at Fortum’s Kivenlahti bioheat plant in Espoo and in bio-boilers. In addition, waste heat is utilised in production, for example from ambient air and treated wastewater.

We also require that, in new construction and major renovations, the electricity and district heating procured by contractors are emission-free.

In line with our environmental sustainability roadmap, our goal is to introduce operating models and metrics that support biodiversity across all our new construction, major renovation and demolition projects by 2030.

We continuously seek ways to reduce the negative impacts of construction and property maintenance on biodiversity and to strengthen natural values in the yards of our properties. In the planning of new development projects, we use tools such as the green factor and biodiversity calculators.

Our internal biodiversity working group brings together experts from different fields to promote solutions that are sustainable from a nature perspective. Our work focuses, among other things, on reducing the use of pesticides and developing yard design. We enhance biodiversity in our yards, for example, by adding deadwood, meadows and planted trees.

We also support biodiversity by training our personnel and providing residents with information on sustainable yard solutions.

Our indirect impacts on biodiversity are significant. Construction and renovation require substantial amounts of materials and resources, the production of which often weakens biodiversity. Our goal is to expand our operating models to also cover impacts across the value chain, particularly in material production.

Our goal is to increase the recycling rate of waste generated in our properties to at least 50%, while also increasing the use of recycled materials and the utilisation of demolition materials.

Our operations cover the entire lifecycle of buildings, during which we use significant amounts of materials and energy and generate waste streams. Construction is one of the largest users of natural resources, which makes material efficiency and waste management essential from both an environmental and an economic perspective.

So far, we have focused particularly on improving waste sorting. At the same time, we continuously look for new ways to reduce material waste and to utilise demolition materials in construction projects.

We pilot solutions in practice. For example, at the Viilavati 15 new development site, we have piloted the reuse of bricks from demolished buildings in the façade. In the Savikuja 2 project, we have examined the boundary conditions related to circular construction and how they can be taken into account in future projects.

Our goal is to scale up proven solutions across all our projects and to develop the circular economy in a long-term manner in both construction and property maintenance.

We strive to make recycling as easy as possible in every building. Waste facilities are also continuously improved in cooperation with residents and partners to ensure they function as effectively as possible.

Recycling is considered right from the planning stage: we have updated our design guidelines to include more recycling bins in both new and renovated apartments. This ensures that recycling becomes a natural part of daily life from the very first day of moving in.

We are also monitoring the quantity and quality of waste more closely. By improving our data collection, we can better target our actions and guide our operations based on real insights.

A network of resident eco-experts supports this development. They monitor the functionality of waste areas and promote recycling within their buildings. Through this collaboration, we take steady steps to improve recycling rates and reduce mixed waste.

Residents play a key role in building a sustainable everyday life. We share environmentally themed tips and practical advice through resident newsletters, our website, and social media. Topics include saving energy and water, sorting waste, and making responsible choices at home.

Our goal is to make sustainable choices as easy as possible and to integrate climate-friendly practices into daily life. We communicate clearly why even small actions matter and how everyone can contribute.

Every year, we build hundreds of new rental homes in areas where people want to live—close to good transport connections and essential services. Our goal is to increase the supply of affordable housing so that more people have the opportunity to find a home in Espoo.

We operate on a cost-price principle: rents only cover the costs of property maintenance, repairs, and administration. We manage expenses by, for example, tendering purchases and optimizing investments. This helps us keep rent levels moderate.

We aim to meet demand by building especially small apartments, which are in highest demand, while also continuing to construct family homes in areas where they are needed.

See also

New properties under construction

We offer homes to people at different stages of life and want to ensure that housing is available even during difficult times. We work to prevent homelessness by identifying applicants at risk as we process applications.

Preventing homelessness is also one of the goals set for us by the City of Espoo. We follow the Housing First principle: having a home is the foundation needed to begin addressing other life challenges.

We support tenants by offering financial counselling and helping them access the right services. We work closely with the City of Espoo and various non-profit organizations to address the risk of homelessness early, ensuring that everyone can find a hom even in the most challenging life circumstances.

We want our residents to feel at home not only in their apartments but also in their surrounding environment. We regularly monitor the quality of cleaning and property maintenance, and we collect feedback through resident satisfaction surveys. We welcome feedback whenever there is a reason to give it.

Residents also have a direct opportunity to influence their surroundings. We encourage them to take part in developing their own building. Resident activities provide ways to contribute to issues such as environmental matters, safety, and community spirit. We offer free training for most roles and actively support participation. Better living comes through collaboration.

Our housing counsellors support residents at different stages of life. The goal is to ensure housing continuity and prevent evictions. Timely support helps residents cope with everyday challenges and, when necessary, connects them with the appropriate services.

We also provide individual support in situations where housing-related challenges may impact the wider building community. Issues such as repeated disturbances or poor apartment maintenance are addressed early, with solutions developed together with the resident. The aim is to preserve good neighbor relations and a safe living environment.

Housing guidance and support play an important role in preventing social exclusion. This assistance helps residents stay connected to their home and community before small problems grow into larger ones.

Our residents come from a wide range of backgrounds and life situations—they are of different ages, cultures, and housing needs. We believe a home should offer a peaceful foundation for life and a sense of community and belonging.

A home is often the first stable step in a new country or city. While we are not directly involved in integration work, we believe that a safe and affordable home plays an essential role in the integration process. Housing supports settling in and building everyday life.

We maintain a diverse resident structure and promote pleasant, inclusive living environments where people from all walks of life can live side by side in safety.

Our goal is to maintain our employees’ work ability and to ensure a safe and equal working environment. We monitor well-being through surveys and regular discussions.

We ensure pay equity and provide equal opportunities for developing skills. In this way, we support our employees’ professional growth and development.

See also

For job-seekers

Our operations rely on well-functioning supply chains, safe construction sites, and a skilled and committed workforce. Site safety and the smooth delivery of projects are key to achieving our objectives.

We apply our supplier code of conduct in all our procurements and contracts. It defines the principles and practices that we require from all our contractual partners.

Our goal is to ensure that human rights and labour rights are respected throughout our value chain. We aim to improve our ability to identify potential violations and to ensure that they are addressed effectively.

We also aim to ensure a safe working environment with zero workplace accidents. We ensure that safety management, site induction, supervision, and safety requirements are implemented for all employees of contractors and subcontractors.

See also

Procurement

We process a large amount of residents’ personal data in our operations, and the impact of a data breach could be significant. Therefore, we manage data protection and information security in a systematic manner.

We protect personal data through technical solutions, clear operating practices, and staff training. Our measures include role-based access control, monitoring mechanisms, encrypted connections, and secure data storage.

We also require our suppliers to have adequate data protection and information security practices and monitor their implementation. We continuously develop our practices to address emerging risks and identified gaps.

See also

Data protection

Responsible procurement covers both our own purchasing activities and the sustainability of the services and products we procure. Our objective is to ensure that procurement is carried out in a fair and equitable manner and that supplier relationships are long-term.

We apply impactful sustainability criteria in procurement, defined according to the type of procurement.

We conduct procurement in accordance with the law, good governance, and our ethical guidelines. Our procurement processes are systematic, competitive, and non-discriminatory, and we take into account cost efficiency and lifecycle thinking. Through procurement, we also support the objectives of our environmental sustainability roadmap and sustainability programme.

We require responsibility from our suppliers and the products and services we procure. This includes:

• environmental responsibility (e.g. energy efficiency, emissions, and material choices)
• social responsibility (e.g. working conditions, occupational safety, and ethics)
• economic responsibility (reliability of operators and compliance with tax and statutory obligations)
• contractual responsibility (compliance with requirements and agreed quality levels)

The baseline for responsibility is defined in our Supplier Code of Conduct, which applies to all procurement. In addition, we set procurement-specific criteria based on the scope, risks, and market maturity of each procurement.

See also

Procurement

Our ethical principles form a shared framework that guides decision-making, interaction, and our daily work.

See also

Ethical principles

We use a confidential reporting channel operated by WhistleB. Through this channel, our employees and external stakeholders can report suspected misconduct and violations of our ethical guidelines.

See also

WhistleB – anonymous reporting channel

We manage our property portfolio systematically and always assess investments with a long-term perspective. In both new construction and renovation projects, we consider not only costs but also lifecycle impacts and emissions, ensuring that our decisions support both financial stability and sustainability goals.

Our decisions are based on comprehensive assessments, with emphasis on long-term effects. We prioritize investments where they have the greatest impact on the condition of our properties, residential comfort, and environmental performance.