A big leap towards smaller carbon footprint

Energy produced by renewable energy sources and monitoring the electricity consumption have significant implications on reducing the carbon dioxide emissions.

Hiilineutraali jalkapallotapahtuma. Photo: Jussi Eskola.

HJK Helsinki’s journey towards a carbon neutral future took a big leap forward when it changed the electricity on all HJK managed pitches to Loiste Puhdas electricity. Loiste Puhdas is environmental friendly, green electricity produced in Finland and Nordic countries.

Loiste Puhdas is produced by water and wind and it has a Guarantee of Origin which is a certificate for energy produced by renewable energy sources.

Just changing the ordinary electricity to electricity produced by renewable energy sources reduced carbon emissions by 297 344 kg. This means that only this procedure decreased the carbon footprint by 300 000 kg/CO2ekv. This number is equivalent to a carbon footprint of 28 Finnish people.

In addition to the quality of the electricity attention will also be paid to the consumption.

– We are currently renewing the air conditioning systems at Bolt Arena and all the equipment will be renewed within the next two years. By doing this we can cut the electricity consumption almost by half. We have calculated that this investment will pay itself back within 1,5 years just by electricity savings, says Kim Lappalainen, the Stadium Manager of Bolt Arena.

The carbon footprint of the match events is only a small part of the overall emissions. In addition to Bolt Arena HJK also manages three pitches and two indoor arenas which are all used around the year.

– We are heating 3 artificial turfs and two indoor arenas. We are constantly monitoring the weather through forecasts and adjust the heating to optimal temperature accordingly. This has already reduced the emissions significantly without compromising the condition of the pitches, adds Antti-Jussi Väinölä, the Venue Manager of HJK Helsinki.

– Also the lighting on these pitches will be changed to LED-lights which decreases the need for electricity. We are currently looking into different options in Bolt Arena, too, Lappalainen continues.

Väinölä stresses the importance of continuity in terms of savings.

– We need energy but continuous monitoring and paying attention to the ways energy is produced we can make permanent changes to reduce the carbon footprint. This is not a one-off project but a continuous journey.

HJK’s First Teams aim to be completely carbon neutral by 2025. This coming season both Veikkausliiga and Women’s League matches will already be carbon neutral. Energy company Loiste will accompany HJK in this environmental programme.