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Finland

Sustainability

Eine Pflanze im Hand © Goethe-Institut

We are committed to reducing the environmental impact of our operations and to increasing ecological consciousness in our way of working.
We are committed to reducing the environmental impact of our operations and to increasing ecological consciousness in our way of working. Sustainability is one of the most crucial aspects of modern life and also one of our internal strategic focus points. This commitment to sustainability by the Goethe-Institut worldwide is guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We will concentrate on becoming more sustainable as an organization as well as developing sustainable projects and raising awareness, both internally and publicly. In line with our values and strategy, we will promote international cultural exchange in a sustainable and responsible manner, in interaction with our clients and partners.

To do so we at the Goethe-Institut Finnland are committed to:
  • Continuously integrate ecological practices into our daily workflow (e.g. printing less, vegan catering, waste management, digital sustainability).
  • Reduce fossil fuel emissions. Reduce travelling in general and when travelling to use more sustainable options.
  • Use renewable energy.
  • Communicate to raise awareness. Practice sustainable actions and communicate about them regularly, with our colleagues and partners as well as to the public. We want to show that sustainability plays a central part in our everyday office life and in all phases of our projects.
  • Choose consciously and responsibly. Advocate for environmental responsibility with our colleagues and partners. Raise awareness of sustainability internally and develop sustainable criteria for the procurement of services. The application of the criteria and the accountability for our choices will have an impact on our image, our services and our partners.
  • Initiate and promote artistic formats and projects that address ecological, social and economic sustainability.

Ekokompassi Certificate

For us, environmental responsibility means concrete actions in our own operations. We are committed to saving natural resources and increasing positive effects on the environment. As a proof of this, we have been awarded the EcoCompass Certificate.

Further infomation on EcoCompass

Ekokompassi-Zertifikat © Ekokompassi

Zeitgeister

The climate is changing, natural resources are dwindling and environmental pollution is becoming an ever greater problem. What solutions do the economy, social movements and Indigenous perspectives offer?

Zeitgeister © Goethe-Institut/Getty Images © Goethe-Institut/Getty Images

The Right to be Cold¹

The cross-border interdisciplinary project The Right To Be Cold focuses on the arctic and boreal region. The initiative, which mainly takes the form of a circumpolar chain of residencies and a virtual exchange in 2021, embraces issues relating to indigenous knowledge, ecology, climate justice and culture. The overarching theme is climate change, which is fundamentally challenging and changing living conditions in the northern regions.  

Eine Indigene Frau steht auf einer Wiese oder Hügel und schaut nach Kühen Fjorde © Susanne Hætta Fjorde © Susanne Hætta

Sustainability in the Goethe-Institut's goal

The realisation of sustainability requires worldwide societal change. Cultural exchange as well as language and educational programmes can open new perspectives on sustainability while giving impulses for politics, commerce and society. Our commitment to the topic of sustainability focuses on the United Nations goals for achieving sustainable development. With our work, we make a contribution to a sustainable and comprehensive climate foreign policy.

"Future" written in pink on a brick wall © Goethe-Institut © Goethe-Institut

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