City Group Entities Contributing to Climate Action
The City of Vaasa’s group structure includes a wide range of subsidiaries, associated entities, and joint municipal authorities, together forming the municipal group. This structure covers all entities owned and controlled by the city, either directly or in cooperation with other group entities.
Group entities play a key role in achieving the city’s climate targets. Measures implemented within these entities—such as improving energy efficiency, using renewable energy, and reducing emissions—are essential for reaching the city’s environmental objectives and promoting sustainable development.
Visit Vaasa
Visit Vaasa promotes sustainable tourism and is committed to environmentally friendly operations. The organisation participates in Visit Finland’s Sustainable Travel Finland programme, supporting the development of sustainable tourism and integrating environmental considerations into its decision-making. Visit Vaasa has signed the national principles for sustainable tourism, and in December 2022, it received the EcoCompass certification, demonstrating its commitment to concrete and goal-oriented environmental actions with clear timelines and monitoring methods.
Visit Vaasa advances sustainability by favouring recycled and environmentally friendly materials, reducing waste, promoting sustainable mobility, and communicating about responsibility with its partners. Additionally, it provides travellers with information about sustainably produced services and strives to develop Vaasa as a responsible travel destination.
Visit Vaasa, officially Vaasan seudun Matkailu Oy, is owned by the cities of Vaasa and Närpiö, as well as the municipalities of Mustasaari, Laihia, Isokyrö, Maalahti, Korsnäs, and Vöyri.
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Vaasanseudun kehitys Oy VASEK
Vaasa Region Development Company (Vaasan Seudun Kehitys Oy, VASEK) is committed to promoting sustainable development both within its own operations and in collaboration with local businesses and stakeholders. The company adheres to the sub-goals of the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.
VASEK advances sustainability through several practical measures. For example, it has developed its waste sorting system to enhance recycling and waste reduction. In marketing, efforts are made to reduce the quantity and size of printed brochures, and plastic bottles have been replaced with tap water.
VASEK works closely with local businesses and stakeholders towards a cleaner and more responsible future. The company continually seeks new ways to improve its sustainability and update its environmental objectives in line with current trends. VASEK promotes responsibility by participating in projects that focus on areas such as the circular economy, responsible tourism, and the use of clean energy sources. Additionally, the company is involved in the EnergyVaasa cluster, which actively works to reduce emissions and advocate for a greener future.
VASEK is a business and development organisation owned by the municipalities of the Vaasa region. It provides free business advisory services to local companies and is responsible for regional development activities and area marketing.
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Vaasan sähkö
Sustainability Strategy and Programme
The Vaasan Sähkö Group’s sustainability strategy, focus areas, goals, and vision were defined in 2023 for the parent company, Vaasan Sähkö, and its subsidiary, Vaasan Sähköverkko.
In 2024, we will establish key performance indicators for the group’s environmental, social, and economic responsibility, and define the monitoring processes and necessary actions.
To learn more about the group’s sustainability efforts, visit the Vaasan Sähkö website.
Vaasan vesi
Vaasan Vesi Partners with Stormossen: From Sludge to Local Fuel
Approximately 800,000 m³ (7.7 GWh) of biogas is produced annually from the sludge at the Påtti wastewater treatment plant, which is then refined into transport fuel at Stormossen’s waste treatment facility.
On the Vaasa region’s public transport network, Lift, 22 gas-powered buses run on the biogas produced by Stormossen. These buses cover more than 75% of the total bus journeys in Vaasa, and the number of trips made by these buses has increased by 70% compared to the period before the Lift public transport reform.
Energy content of one litre of gasoline: 9 kWh/litre
CO2 emissions from gasoline: 2.35 kg/litre
Annual CO2 compensation: 2,010 tonnes
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Pikipruukki
Kiinteistö Oy Pikipruukki is the largest rental property owner in the Vaasa region, owned by the city. The company owns, maintains, rents, and develops rental housing in Vaasa.
Pikipruukki implements several measures aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and reducing emissions. These actions apply both to the company’s owned buildings and its daily operations.
Energy consumption monitoring in the rental properties has been improved, and measures to reduce consumption are continuously implemented. In two rental housing properties, the oil heating systems are being replaced with district heating, and in one of the three row-house properties, the oil heating system will be converted to a geothermal heating system. Both of these projects are scheduled for completion by the end of September 2024.
The company has also calculated its carbon footprint, which will help to monitor and reduce emissions more effectively.
Vaasa Parks
Vaasa Parks Oy Ab owns, develops, and rents Futura I-IV technology center buildings, providing high-quality and modern working environments for companies of all sizes. Vaasa Parks is a subsidiary of the newly formed Vaasa Facilita Oy Ab group.
Vaasa Parks and the Futura I-IV buildings are committed to sustainable development and responsibility in all of their operations. The buildings were constructed between 2002 and 2014 according to the best practices of their time. The latest Futura IV building utilizes geothermal energy as its energy source. The energy consumption of the buildings is continuously monitored and analyzed, with immediate action taken in response to any identified anomalies.
To improve energy efficiency, automation and ventilation systems in the older buildings have been modernized, and a transition to LED lighting is underway. The Futura I-IV circular economy plan guides the buildings’ practices in circular economy.
To support sustainable mobility, each of the Futura I-IV buildings encourages cycling and other active commuting by providing tenants with freely accessible social spaces, including showers. Charging points for electric cars are available at the buildings, and collaboration with the city is ongoing to improve bus connections in the area.