Sustainability and responsibility

During 2024, STUK promoted the UN's goals of ensuring healthy lives and well-being for all, in accordance with its own role, through the safe and justified use of radiation, environmental monitoring of natural radiation, radiation-related communication, and maintaining and developing readiness and preparedness for radiation hazards and other exceptional situations.

Regarding monitoring of environmental radiation, border control of radioactive materials and cooperation with Finnish Customs were intensified during the year by drawing up a border control measurement strategy, creating a joint situation awareness system, and training personnel. Communication on radiation-related risks was active, and as an initiative of STUK, a network of authorities, healthcare providers, organizations, and research institutes were established with the aim of enhancing cooperation and creating a unified strategy in Finland for reducing the adverse effects of UV radiation.

International uncertainty continued, and STUK's preparedness for radiation hazards and other exceptional situations was assessed based on a threat assessment updated during the year. On this basis, STUK launched a preparedness development program aimed at improving preparedness and response capabilities in the event of radiation emergencies and other exceptional situations.
 

In order to ensure affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all in accordance with the UN's goals, STUK promoted a comprehensive reform of the Nuclear Energy Act in cooperation with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment during 2024, monitored the safety of nuclear power plants in operation, promoted the safety of nuclear waste management by monitoring the safety requirements for power plant waste management, and expanded its expertise in small modular reactors. During the year, STUK promoted the goal 7 also by supervising construction and commissioning of the encapsulation and final disposal facility of spent nuclear fuel.

During 2024, STUK continued active participation in international cooperation between authorities to promote nuclear and radiation safety, nuclear security, and nuclear material control. Activities as an expert and national authority in the international nuclear non-proliferation regime continued, and expertise was provided for the prevention of international nuclear terrorism.

STUK acts as a trainer for nuclear material control experts in a large-scale, multi-year nuclear material control training project launched in Africa in 2023. The project had to be suspended until the end of 2024 for reasons unrelated to STUK. Effective and responsible regulatory institutions in the sector are an important part of achieving the UN's goal, as they promote not only safety but also the peaceful use of nuclear energy and contribute to strengthening the international treaty regime, including in the field of nuclear material control and management. STUK therefore hopes that next year's sustainability report will provide an update on the progress of the suspended training project.

STUK reduces the ecological impact of its operating environment through, for example, efficient use of space at its Jokiniemi premises in Vantaa, energy-efficient lighting, efficient waste recycling, and building automation that optimizes energy use. The premises make efficient use of geothermal heat and solar energy. STUK has almost achieved the government's target of carbon-neutral premises by 2035. The first drafts of STUK's environmental program were prepared during the year, and work will continue in 2025.

STUK aims to be a workplace where personnel are treated fairly and equally and which offers a good working environment and community, with clear responsibilities and interesting and meaningful work tasks. STUK's most important resource is its well-being, skilled, motivated, and responsible personnel, supported by working methods, operating practices, and an organizational culture that promote these values.

In 2024, STUK conducted a personnel survey, an external assessment of the safety culture, and a study on psychosocial stress among senior personnel. Based on the measurements and reports, the well-being and employee experience of the personnel are at a good level, and development has continued positively in many areas. Particular attention was paid to the results concerning the work of immediate supervisors, which had improved significantly from the previous year. The joint government personnel survey (HenkilöstöBaro) was conducted at STUK using the new Tutka system. The overall job satisfaction at STUK was 3.91 (3.94 for men and 3.88 for women), which remained clearly above the government average (3.70). STUK personnel are most satisfied with the Employer image and values section (4.17), as they were in 2023 (4.04) and 2022 (4.00).

According to the personnel survey, gender equality is well implemented in the workplace (STUK 4.19 and government 4.17), as is equality between people (STUK 4.13 and government 4.00). During 2024, STUK launched the preparation of an operational equality and non-discrimination plan for the authority as part of its personnel policy equality and non-discrimination plan.

STUK aims to maintain a high level of competence and professional skills among its personnel. A total of 2.02% of total working hours, or 5.1 working days per person-year, was spent on personnel training. STUK's rating for the personnel survey item "Competence, learning and renewal" was 3.93 (3.8 in 2023 and 3.72 in 2022), which was better than the government average (3.74). In 2024, the development of the human resources planning process and related tools continued, especially on the balance between human resources planning, organizational structures, and financial resources. The refinement of competence surveys, the development of competence training, and the mapping of future competence needs were continued systematically during 2024, and the work will continue until summer 2025. The aim is to create a comprehensive and systematic training program that also meets future competence needs.

STUK supports the work ability and well-being of its personnel in various ways. The activities offered by STUK include comprehensive occupational health care services, low-threshold psychological well-being coaching services, ePassi (exercise, well-being, culture, and lunch benefits), access to a gym, and recreational activities organized by the STUK staff association.

In 2024, STUK continued its planning measures to strengthen cost-effective operations and sustainable economy. STUK's development program for sustainable economy and effective management is divided into four sets of measures, which are 1) Developing and evaluating the funding system for the safety regulation of nuclear energy use, 2) Implementing the government's personnel strategy and strengthening management prerequisites, 3) Evaluating and developing result-oriented structures and processes, and 4) Ensuring and strengthening a sustainable economy. STUK drew up plans in accordance with the productivity program to achieve the savings targets for 2025–2027. Improving space efficiency was selected as a significant area for savings. To achieve this goal, a premises project is underway with a partner agency, in which STUK will consolidate its own activities in its current premises and transfer some of its laboratory facilities to the partner government office for use.

STUK's management system guides concerning official travel emphasize cost savings and efforts to reduce environmental impact in accordance with the government's travel strategy, for example through remote meetings and travel choices. The principles of social and environmental responsibility are considered in procurement in an appropriate manner on a case-by-case basis. STUK's own competitive tendering requires that tenderers have fulfilled their social obligations appropriately, paid their taxes and social security contributions, and comply with their statutory obligations regarding environmental protection, occupational safety and health, working conditions, and terms of employment. The Government's decision-in-principle on promoting sustainable environmental and energy solutions in public procurement requires that environmental considerations must be considered in public procurement.