Sustainability

In accordance with the goals of the UN, STUK promoted the guarantee of a healthy life and well-being for people of all ages, in accordance with its own role, with safe and legitimate monitoring of the use of radiation, environmental monitoring of natural radiation, radiation-related communication, and by maintaining and developing readiness and preparedness for various accidents and other unusual situations that cause radiation danger.

Regarding the use of radiation, the most significant change in 2023 was the start of the operation of Finnish welfare areas, which is why most of the safety permits and responsibilities were reorganized. Radon monitoring of workplaces was actively continued in order to achieve the main goal that no employee in Finland would be excessively exposed to radioactive radon gas, which causes lung cancer.

The increased interest in the additional construction of nuclear energy was reflected in active measures during 2023, e.g. in the overall reform of the Nuclear Energy Act and the legislation under it, in the development of STUK's competence and in STUK's communication. The uncertain world situation was visible in terms of readiness and preparedness. Active monitoring of the security environment continued, and monitoring of the situation in Ukraine in particular was established as part of STUK's normal operations.

In order to ensure affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for everyone in accordance with the UN goals, STUK has, in cooperation with the Ministry of Economic Affairs, promoted the overall reform of the Nuclear Energy Act during 2023, monitored the safety of nuclear power plants in use, and promoted the safety of nuclear waste management by monitoring the safety requirements of power plant waste management. In addition, supervision has promoted the safe construction and commissioning of the used nuclear fuel encapsulation and final disposal facility. In order to promote this goal, STUK has also actively participated in international nuclear safety regulatory cooperation during 2023, which will enable the safe use of nuclear energy in Finland in the future as well.

STUK’s international expert service activities promote the building of efficient and accountable institutions and contribute to the promotion of peaceful societies. STUK’s expert service projects support the development of nuclear and radiation safety authorities in the target countries, as well as the principles of good governance. Efficient and accountable governmental institutions contribute not only to safety, but also to the peaceful use of nuclear energy and contribute to the strengthening of the international system of treaties, including the control and management of nuclear materials.

In Africa, an extensive and multi-year nuclear safeguards training project was launched in 2023, in which STUK acts as trainers for experts in nuclear safeguards in African countries.

The industry's efficient and responsible authority institutions are an important part of achieving the goal, as they promote not only safety, but also the peaceful use of nuclear energy and contribute to strengthening the international treaty system, for example, regarding the control and management of nuclear materials. As in previous years, STUK has also acted actively as an expert and national authority in the monitoring of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban treaty and offers its expertise in the prevention of international nuclear terrorism.

In STUK's operations, direct adverse environmental impacts occur mainly in energy consumption, travel, waste generation, procurement and paper consumption. In 2022, STUK moved to new premises in Jokiniemi, Vantaa. The government's goal of carbon-neutral offices by 2035 has almost been achieved at STUK and will be realized in the summer as the sunshine increases. The measure to achieve the goal "reducing the amount of waste and improving sorting" is also at a good level at STUK. Updating the environmental program started in 2023, e.g. by planning the collection, monitoring and reporting of data related to STUK's carbon footprint.

STUK aims to be a workplace where employees are treated fairly and equally and which provides a good working environment and community, with clear responsibilities and interesting and meaningful work tasks. In 2023, STUK supported the work ability and well-being of the personnel by offering ePassi (a sports, wellbeing, cultural and lunch benefit), the possibility to use STUK’s gym and recreational activities organised by STUK’s staff association. STUK offers comprehensive occupational health care services and a low-threshold psychological wellbeing coaching service where employees can discuss life’s challenges with professionals.

The total index value of STUK's job satisfaction barometer of the VMBaro job satisfaction survey increased in 2023 from the level of 2022 (3.81) to 3.84, being better than the state's average 3.70. STUK's personnel are most satisfied with the same factors as in 2022: employer image and values, the working culture, and the content of the work and opportunities to influence.

STUK develops the competence of its personnel systematically, taking into account the needs of the organization as well as individual employees’ needs for professional development. Systematic competence management also seeks to respond to the challenges posed by the constantly changing operating environment. In 2023, STUK continued to prepare a comprehensive training program, on which the annual training plans are based. 90% of the personnel had prepared a personal competence development plan. Both internal and external personnel rotations have taken place at STUK, and STUK has been involved in agency cooperation promoting personnel rotation.

According to STUK’s VMBaro job satisfaction survey 2023, gender equality is implemented well in the workplace, as is equality between people. STUK’s management group started the work to create a functional equality plan in 11/2023. The mapping of the structure of the plan, the information to be used and the approach was underway in the spring of 2024. 

STUK uses its funds responsibly, accurately and appropriately. We manage our finances in a sustainable and long-term way. In 2023, various planning measures were launched at STUK to strengthen cost-effective operations and a sustainable economy, as well as to prepare for the productivity program.

The procurement guidelines in STUK's management system describe the principles of responsible procurements. The principles of social and environmental responsibility are taken into account in procurements appropriately and are assessed on a case-by-case basis. In addition to cost savings, the guidelines for official trips emphasize efforts to reduce the environmental burden in accordance with the state's travel strategy, e.g. through remote meeting practices and travel method choices. 

STUK's own tendering procedures require that tenderers have properly met their social obligations, paid their taxes and social security contributions, and comply with their legal obligations regarding environmental protection, occupational health and safety, working conditions and terms of employment.

The Government's decision in principle on the promotion of sustainable environmental and energy solutions in public procurement requires that environmental aspects are taken into account in public procurement.