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Article
Publication date: 31 July 2024

Veronica Lucia Ahonen, Aleksandra Woszczek, Stefan Baumeister, Ulla T. Helimo, Anne Kristiina Jackson, Maria Kopsakangas-Savolainen, Juha Kääriä, Tommi Lehtonen, Mika Luoranen, Eva Pongrácz, Risto Soukka, Veera Vainio and Sami El Geneidy

Calculating an organization's carbon footprint is crucial for assessing and implementing emission reductions. Although Finnish higher education institutions (HEIs) aim for carbon…

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Abstract

Purpose

Calculating an organization's carbon footprint is crucial for assessing and implementing emission reductions. Although Finnish higher education institutions (HEIs) aim for carbon neutrality by 2030, limited research exists on plans to reach a similar target in any country. This paper aims to address the shared and individual challenges Finnish HEIs have with carbon footprint calculations, reductions, resources and offsetting.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was targeted to sustainability experts in all 38 HEIs in Finland to identify key patterns and trends in the focus fields of the study. SWOT analysis was used to classify main strengths, opportunities, weaknesses and threats, based on which a series of policy recommendations was drafted.

Findings

Finnish HEIs are committed to carbon footprint tracking (97%, annually by 87%). The lack of standardization and the number of external stakeholders complicate accounting indirect emissions, impeding comparability and reliability. Only 39% had set separate emission reduction targets, suggesting a preference for carbon footprint over other environmental impact indicators. Insufficient monetary and human resources emerged in 23% of institutions, especially those smaller in size. Only 52% had clear offsetting plans, with shared concerns over trust and responsibility.

Originality/value

By including both research universities and universities of applied sciences, the findings provide an unprecedented outlook into the entire Finnish HEI sector. The policy recommendations guide HEIs both locally and globally on how to improve their transparency and scientific integrity, reflect on core successes and weaknesses and how they complete their objectives of education, research and social impact while promoting stronger sustainability.

Details

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, vol. 25 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-6370

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 27 December 2021

Simona Polonyová and Eva Pongrácz

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the current state of education in the field of social enterprise in Slovakia and its support, share the experience of social…

195

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the current state of education in the field of social enterprise in Slovakia and its support, share the experience of social entrepreneurship education providers and formulate recommendations for the development of human resources in the context of supporting social enterprise.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is presented as a case study. It is based on the initial experience of education providers in the field of social entrepreneurship in Slovakia, as the concept of integrating social entrepreneurship into education in Slovak conditions is currently in the phase of gradual establishment.

Findings

One of the biggest barriers of the development of education is insufficient awareness and overall promotion of social enterprise in Slovakia. The general public lacks awareness on the topic of social enterprise and a general platform on social enterprise, which would provide information on the possibilities of formal and non-formal education, is missing.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this paper are based on the limited experience of social entrepreneurship education providers, as the systematic concept of integrating social entrepreneurship into education in Slovak conditions is currently in the phase of gradual establishment.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study, which provides an overview of the present situation of education in the field of social enterprise from the perspective of the experience of the addressed organizations, their opinions and perception.

Details

Social Enterprise Journal, vol. 18 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-8614

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