Sustainable consumption and climate action
We are committed to the targets agreed upon in international climate summits for the mitigation of climate change. Our goal is zero emissions from our own operations in 2030. We promote the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources in our supply chains by reducing plastic consumption, recycling, increasing the efficiency of our material management and reducing the number of small orders. Our digital services enable us to simultaneously improve access to care and reduce our customers’ travel times and the emissions generated by travel.
Our environmental policy and ISO 14001:2015 environmental management system certification
Terveystalo’s environmental policy describes the environmental principles that all employees, managers, officials, board members, consultants and other personnel working under the management of Terveystalo Group are expected to follow.
Terveystalo operates in line with the principles of sustainable development in order to reduce and eliminate environmental risks. In addition to being committed to the Group’s environmental policy, Terveystalo is committed to full compliance with the applicable legislation, the regulations issued by the authorities, industry operating practices that ensure occupational safety and patient safety, and the continuous improvement of environmentally friendly operating practices.
Terveystalo’s environmental goals are as follows:
- Development of environmental management and awareness at all organisational levels
- Identification, anticipation and monitoring of direct and indirect environmental impacts
- Reduction of environmental impacts in our day-to-day operations
- Development of practices that promote sustainable development
Adverse environmental impacts are prevented by, for example:
- reducing energy consumption and transitioning to carbon-neutral energy
- reducing the volume of waste created in operations and increasing our recycling rate
- optimizing the life cycle of healthcare equipment, with due consideration for technological development
- taking environmental perspectives into account in the travel and car policy
- developing digital services
- planning and implementing pharmaceutical services in an up-to-date manner
- taking environmental perspectives into account in centralised procurement and ensuring efficient inventory management
- taking sustainable development and environmental perspectives into account in network and business premises projects
Terveystalo’s environmental program covers all clinics in Finland and its appropriateness is evaluated in quality management and environmental management system audits. Terveystalo’s environmental management system is certified in accordance with the ISO 14001 standard. The standard provides a framework for the continuous development of processes and practices that minimise negative environmental impacts. In 2023, the decision was made to expand ISO 14001:2015 environmental certification to cover all of the units in Terveystalo’s medical clinic network in Finland. The aim of expanding the certification is to highlight the company’s environmental efforts and to demonstrate Terveystalo’s commitment to environmental responsibility. The certificate will be updated at the beginning of 2024 and the audits will be conducted as combined ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 audits. Some of the Feelgood operating locations in Sweden are also ISO 14001:2015 certified.
Our climate target: zero emissions from own
operations in 2030
Terveystalo’s goal is to reduce its carbon footprint so that its own operations will generate zero emissions in 2030. A further goal is to reduce direct and indirect CO2 emissions (Scope 1 and Scope 2) by 80percent by 2025 (using 2018 as the baseline). As regards energy consumption, the goal is for green electricity to account for 100 percent of purchased electricity. The recycling and recovery of waste is another key theme in environmental responsibility, with the goal being to minimise waste in all operations. The indicators used for this are the recovery rate and recycling rate of waste generated at Terveystalo’s units.
| Target | Indicator (KPI) | Scope of application | Target level | Target year | Base year level | Base year | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Zero emissions from own operations 2030 1) | Reduction of direct (Scope 1) and indirect (Scope 2) greenhouse gas emissions compared to 2018 | Finnish and Swedish operations | -100 % | 2030 | 6,316.8 | 2018 | -56 % | -76 % | -89 % |
| Reduce direct and indirect CO2 emissions (Scope 1 and Scope 2) by 80% by 2025 (using 2018 as the baseline) | Direct (Scope 1) and indirect (Scope 2) greenhouse gas emissions, tCO2 | Finnish and Swedish operations | -80 % | 2025 | 6,316.8 | 2018 | 2755,4 | 1 544,1 | 664,0 |
| Purchase 100% green electricity by 2025 2) | Share of green electricity of all purchased electricity, % | Finnish and Swedish operations | 100 % | 2025 | 62 % | 2020 | 70 % | 72 % | 89 % |
| Minimise waste in all operations and forward all waste to be recovered | The recovery rate of waste generated at Terveystalo units, % 3) | Finnish operations | 100 % | 2025 | 99 % | 2020 | 100 % | 100 % | 100 % |
| The recycling rate of waste generated at Terveystalo units, % 3) | Finnish operations | 100 % | 2025 | 61 % | 2020 | 68 % | 67 % | 64 % | |
| 1) Scope 2 emissions are market-based. The market-based Scope 2 emission calculation takes into account the green electricity guarantees of origin purchased by Terveystalo, which in 2023 covered approximately 70 (72) percent of the electricity consumption. The emissions of the remaining purchased electricity have been calculated using the residual mix emission factors for Finland and Sweden (AIB, European Residual Mixes). Finland's residual emission factor increased by 83 percent from 2022 due to a higher share of fossil fuels in the residual mix (Finland's residual emission factor in 2022 was 0.285 kgCO2e/kWh and in 2023 0.5208 kgCO2e/kWh). The market-based Scope 2 emissions for 2022 have been recalculated for Finland, because Terveystalo purchased the green electricity guarantee of origin for the period 1 September - 31 December 2022 at the beginning of 2023. From 2022 onwards, the figures for energy use and carbon footprint also include the Swedish operations. The figures for 2021 include only the Finnish operations. | |||||||||
| 2) In units where Terveystalo purchases electricity itself. | |||||||||
| 3) Excludes waste fractions that cannot be recycled or recovered under any circumstances. | |||||||||
Our carbon footprint
In 2023, Terveystalo’s carbon footprint in Finland from Scope 1 and 2 emissions (market-based) was 2,716.0 (1,401.9) tCO2e. In Sweden, Feelgood’s Scope 1 and 2 emissions totalled 39.4 (142.2) tCO2e. Terveystalo’s carbon footprint consists mainly of the production of the electricity consumed by properties, emissions generated by transport and travel as well as the waste generated in hospitals and clinics. The emissions generated by Terveystalo’s operations are reduced, for example, by increasingly transitioning to green electricity and prioritizing low-emission vehicles. Terveystalo develops the measurement of its impacts throughout the value chain and works with its key suppliers to reduce the emissions generated by the value chain.
Terveystalo reports the direct (Scope 1) and indirect (Scope 2) greenhouse gas emissions arising from its operations – and part of its indirect Scope 3 emissions – in accordance with the GHG Protocol. Emissions from Swedish operations have been reported starting from 2022.
Scope 1
As Terveystalo does not, for the most part, own or control the properties at which it operates, the greenhouse gas emissions mostly consist of the emissions from the fleet of cars controlled by Terveystalo and the trucks used for imaging operations. The emissions arising from the company’s own driving and driving under its direct control are calculated based on fuel consumption. In 2023, Scope 1 CO2 emissions in Finland totalled 137.5 (134.5) tCO2e. In Sweden, Scope 1 emissions were 18.2 (39.9) tCO2e.
Scope 2
Indirect Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions arise from the production of electricity purchased by Terveystalo and the production of district heating consumed at properties controlled by Terveystalo. In 2023, a total of 16,171 (15,841) MWh of electricity was purchased for the properties controlled by Terveystalo in Finland. The company’s electricity portfolio (electricity purchased for properties) has been zero-CO2 green electricity since the beginning of 2020. Zero CO2 electricity purchased in Finland for the consumption year 2023 totalled 11,220 (11,395)) MWh, which corresponds to approximately 69 (72) percent of the electricity consumption of the company’s operations in Finland. The amount of electricity purchased to properties not included in the electricity portfolio totalled 4,951 (4,447) MWh, which corresponds to 2,578.5 (1,267.4) tCO2e (market-based). The growth in the market-based Scope 2 emissions is mainly due to an 83 percent increase in the Finland's residual emission factor used in the emissions calculation from the comparison period1). The amount of purchased electricity outside the electricity portfolio in Finland increased by approximately 11 percent, which also affected the Scope 2 emissions growth from the comparison period. In Swedish operations, 2,081 (1,328) MWh of electricity was purchased for properties controlled by Feelgood, of which approximately 74 (67) percent was zero CO2 green electricity. The Scope 2 emissions from purchased electricity in Sweden totalled 21.2 (102.3) tCO2e. Terveystalo’s target is for green electricity to account for 100 percent of purchased electricity by 2025.
1) Scope 2 emissions are market-based. The market-based Scope 2 emission calculation takes into account the green electricity guarantees of origin purchased by Terveystalo, which in 2023 covered approximately 70 (72) percent of the electricity consumption. The emissions of the remaining purchased electricity have been calculated using the residual mix emission factors for Finland and Sweden (AIB, European Residual Mixes). Finland's residual emission factor increased by 83 percent from 2022 due to a higher share of fossil fuels in the residual mix (Finland's residual emission factor in 2022 was 0.285 kgCO2e/kWh and in 2023 0.5208 kgCO2e/kWh). The market-based Scope 2 emissions for 2022 have been recalculated for Finland, because Terveystalo purchased the green electricity guarantee of origin for the period 1 September - 31 December 2022 at the beginning of 2023.
Scope 3
For indirect Scope 3 emissions, Terveystalo reports emissions arising from work-related travel by employees and emissions from the waste generated by the company’s operations.
Terveystalo aims to avoid unnecessary work-related travel by encouraging to favour remote meetings whenever possible. Terveystalo’s personnel in Finland flew a total of 0.8 (0.7) million kilometres in work-related travel, corresponding to 85.5 (84.1) tCO2e. Reimbursable work-related travel by Terveystalo’s personnel in Finland totalled 2.7 (2.6) million kilometres, corresponding to 448.2 (440.8) tCO2e. Terveystalo encourages its personnel to choose low-emissions vehicles as company cars. The average emissions of the company cars used by Terveystalo in Finland amount to 64 (72) gCO2e/km. In Sweden, the work-related travel by air generated 60.8 (45.1) tCO2e in emissions. The total emissions from work-related travel by the personnel in Sweden amounted to 260.4 (262.6) tCO2e.
The indirect emissions arising from waste in Finland amounted to 42.6 (41.7) tCO2e. In Sweden, the amount of waste generated and emissions from waste are very low since waste is mainly generated in offices. The emissions arising from waste in Sweden totalled 3.4 (2.1) tCO2e.
Terveystalo has a low CO2 emissions intensity
Terveystalo’s CO2 emission intensity is low due to the nature of the Group’s operations. In 2023, Terveystalo’s emission intensity (Scope 1 and 2, market-based) relative to revenue was 2.1 (1.2) gCO2e/EUR. Relative to the number of employees, the emission intensity was 0.4 (0.2) tCO2e. The figures also include Terveystalo’s operations in Sweden.
Digital services improve access to care and reduce environmental effects
Terveystalo continuously works towards integrated, data-driven healthcare. Digital healthcare solutions play a major role in improving access to care, effectiveness and resource efficiency, and reducing the environmental footprint. Terveystalo provides and develops solutions that guide the patient to the appropriate specialist and the appropriate channel in a timely manner. For example, Terveystalo’s symptom assessment tool takes advantage of artificial intelligence to enhance access to care while making healthcare professionals’ work smoother. Terveystalo encourages and guides customers and professionals to choose digital channels for matters that can be resolved remotely. This also reduces the emissions arising from unnecessary travel. Terveystalo invests continuously in the research and development of innovative, energy-efficient digital healthcare technologies.
In 2023, the number of remote appointments was approximately 1.3 (1.6) million in Finland. The year-on-year decrease in remote appointments was due to the end of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related remote appointments.
Minimisation and utilisation of waste
The recycling and recovery of waste is another key theme in Terveystalo’s environmental responsibility, with the goal being to minimise mixed waste in all of Terveystalo’s operations and forward as large a share of waste as possible to be recovered. The indicators used for this in Finnish operations are the mixed waste intensity and the recovery rate and recycling rate of waste generated at Terveystalo’s units in Finland. Terveystalo is committed to reducing the plastic waste generated by its operations in accordance with the EU’s plastic strategy by improving recycling and reviewing the packaging options offered by suppliers when possible. In 2023, Terveystalo responded to the changes to the separate collection obligations under the Waste Act in Finland by updating waste guidelines and training personnel, among other things. The separate collection of waste plays a key role with regard to Terveystalo’s environmental goals. Terveystalo also keeps a close eye on medical waste and seeks to minimise it through efficient inventory management. The amount of waste from Terveystalo’s Swedish operations is small and largely consists of office waste, as Feelgood has no hospitals, medical clinics or laboratories.
In 2023, Terveystalo continued the nationwide project introduced in 2022 to reduce plastic bag waste in cooperation with Terveystalo’s cleaning services partners. The aims of the operating model include the reduction of plastic waste, network-wide improvements in the efficiency of cleaning, and savings in material costs. So far, the operating model has reduced the use of waste bags by over 50 percent, among other improvements.
The project mitigates adverse environmental impacts by reducing the amount of plastic bags used in cleaning through the following measures:
- Reducing the number of waste bins in reception rooms
- Labeling waste bins and providing instructions
- Emptying waste bins into large waste bags and changing the small waste bags when they are broken or unclean.
The corresponding changes have been made to the service descriptions for Terveystalo’s cleaning service providers across Finland.
In late 2018, Terveystalo launched a plastic recycling project in collaboration with the company’s waste management service provider Lassila & Tikanoja.
The project began from the idea of an operating room nurse that was piloted at the Ruoholahti unit in Helsinki. The aim is to expand the project to cover all of Terveystalo’s hospital units. Helsinki Ruoholahti, Turku Pulssi, Turku Aninkainen, Helsinki Kamppi, Pori Lääkäritalo, Seinäjoki and Joensuu are already included in the project.
The project involves collecting and analyzing plastic waste that can be recovered for use in insulation, as material or as energy. This concerns the recycling of clean company plastic, which is different from the consumer plastic collected from households and break rooms.
The new processing line opened at L&T’s recycling plant in Merikarvia enables the more diverse processing of plastic, which means that plastic can be recycled as an industrial raw material instead of being incinerated. The shared goal of the project is to increase the recycling rate and separate collection of plastic and thereby reduce the volume of mixed waste.