Sustainability

More than a third of Estonian district heating customers are connected to Utilitas’ networks. In addition, Utilitas produces renewable electricity and provides district cooling. Our activities aim to have an impact on people, the environment, and society, which is why we are also responsible for managing the resulting impacts.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

On September 25, 2015, the UN Summit adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.

Utilitas contributes to the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through sustainable operations.

Sustainably produced energy

Our impact is the greatest on the following sustainable development goals:

We are responsible for ensuring that our customers can consume environmentally friendly and sustainably produced energy, today and in the future.

Our daily operations and processes

We also contribute to the achievement of the following goals:

Our daily operations and processes follow the principles of sustainability and influence the achievement of global goals at the local level.

Responsible business

We follow the principles of the goals below:

Our goal is to be a responsible business both now and in the future – that’s why we pay attention to our employees and stakeholders.

Utilitas’ sustainable development goals and areas of impact

The areas of impact of Utilitas’ sustainable development have been identified by analyzing social megatrends, political and legal developments, good practices, and sustainable development standards.

As a result of the analysis, Utilitas has set goals and metrics for the responsible management of environmental and social impacts.

Environmental dimension

Energy production always has an environmental impact, but it can be kept to a minimum by efficient production and the choice of technologies.

Climate and emissions

Supplying carbon neutral heat and cooling energy to customers by 2030 at the latest
100% renewable energy production by 2030 at the latest
The positive impact of green electricity production – avoided emissions are greater than CO₂ emissions resulting from Utilitas’ operations

Efficient use of resources

Our heating and cooling networks are efficient within the meaning of the EU directive
High-efficiency energy production

Biodiversity and ecosystems

Transparent and responsible fuel procurement
100% of the purchased biomass comes from certified suppliers (FSC/PEFC/SBP certificate)
Biomass that meets sustainability criteria in the sense of the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive

Social dimension

Without a doubt, our most valuable resource is people: our employees, partners, and customers. Maintaining their well-being is an important part of the company’s operations.

A safe workplace

An accident-free work environment for our employees and subcontractors

Employee engagement

High employee motivation and satisfaction
Diverse teams and gender balance
Talent retention

High-quality services for customers

Security of supply for customers
High customer satisfaction
An increasing number of customers
Reasonable prices

Management dimension

An integral part of a responsible company is responsible management, which includes well-ordered and transparent processes as well as contributing to society.

Responsible management

Appropriate and responsible management of assets and operations, measures, and principles are set (an ongoing process)
Valid ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 and Green Office certificates
Transparent pricing
Sponsorship and participation in the work of professional associations

The most important indicators of sustainable development

Carbon neutrality

Carbon-neutral heating and cooling by 2030.
In 2023, the carbon share was 68g CO₂/kWh

Renewable energy

100% renewable energy production by 2030 at the latest. In 2023, its share was 69%

High security of supply

In 2023, the district heating service was available to customers 99,99% of the time

Utilitas’ environmental impact

The development of the energy sector is driven by global warming, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing the share of renewable energy and energy efficiency, both at the Estonian and international levels. For Utilitas, the most important environmental aspects are climate impact, emissions, biomass sustainability, waste management, and water consumption.

Cleaner air

Thanks to an investment of more than 400 million euros, Utilitas has already significantly (64%) reduced the carbon footprint of the thermal energy provided through its district heating networks from 2008 to 2021. The goal is to reach carbon neutrality by 2030 at the latest.

Sustainability of biomass

The use of low-value wood and wood waste for energy production in cogeneration plants is environmentally sustainable. The raw materials used are procured at a reasonable distance from the stations plants. All Utilitas’ wood suppliers are FSC or PEFC certified.

Waste management

Following the principles of a circular economy and the requirements of environmental permits, the ash produced from biomass during energy production is given to cooperation partners who use it as a fertilizer. Domestic waste generated in offices is sorted and handed over to waste handlers.

Water consumption

Utilitas is constantly improving the efficiency of water usage – the goal is to constantly reduce the amount of water used in district heating networks. Renewing the district heating network leads to a reduction in both heat and water loss.

In all Utilitas subsidiaries, environmental impacts are systematically managed according to the principles of the ISO 14001:2015 standard.

In addition, Utilitas Tallinn offices have been awarded the Green Office Certificate.

Social impact

The energy sector is one of the most highly valued sectors among employees in Estonia, and the development of companies enables the creation of new jobs.

Occupational safety

Occupational safety is a priority for Utilitas, and it is managed in all subsidiaries of the group according to the principles of the ISO 45001 standard. The goal is to provide all employees and cooperation partners with a work environment free of occupational accidents.

Modernity

Utilitas creates jobs with high added value thanks to the expansion of operations, the establishment of new renewable energy production capacities, and continued digitalization. Using local wood chips for energy production helps to preserve life and jobs in rural areas.

Diversity

Due to the specific nature of the energy sector, there are more men among Utilitas employees, but the workforce is quite diverse in terms of age and nationality. Following the best practices, both male and female representatives of Utilitas participate in job interviews. The goal of diversity is observed when recruiting employees for management positions.

Management

Utilitas promotes a simple organizational structure throughout the company, characterized by honest management principles, leadership, little hierarchy, clear and simple work instructions, trust, and consensus in decision-making.

Community relations and sponsorship

Utilitas’ sponsorship activities are based on the core values of the group. We support activities that enrich the lives of residents, contribute to environmental sustainability, or create innovative solutions.

Sports

Utilitas has supported Estonian basketball for over 20 years, including as the main sponsor of Estonia men’s national basketball team over 10 years. Supporting the national team and being the name sponsor of the Rapla team, we contribute to the continuous growth of this sport of great traditions, thus encouraging the connections between people and communities and promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Since 2011, Utilitas has been supporting the junior athletics team and is the main sponsor of the Estonian Athletics Association.

Culture

Tallinn City Theater has been supported by Utilitas since 2016.
The cooperation includes both environmentally friendly management and contributes to the environmentally sustainable concept of the “Green Theatre”.

Charity

Utilitas contributes to charity activities widely, among other things, we support the Kingitud Elu (“The Gift of Life”) cancer treatment fund and other charities.

Cooperation in education

The presence of the next generation of engineers in the energy sector is crucial to the development of new renewable energy technologies. Good education and in-depth knowledge are vital in executing a green revolution in the energy sector.

Utilitas has a long-term cooperation with TalTech

Utilitas’ representatives participate in various program committees.
Companies of the group participate in career events and offer paid internships to young people to promote the acquisition of practical skills necessary to become top professionals.
In order to motivate successful students, Utilitas provides the Clean Energy Scholarship to undergraduate and graduate students of the Faculty of Engineering.

Utilitas’ interactive heating lab

Utilitas has a unique interactive heating lab at the TalTech Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center. It introduces visitors to the nature of modern heat and electricity production, distribution, and consumption. The heating lab offers practical information and enables the analysis of the performance of the Tallinn district heating network and the heat consumption of the Mektory building. The heating lab is both an educational and a playful journey to discover this exciting world.

Anyone can visit the heating lab.

Registration:
mektory@taltech.ee
phone: +372 620 3429

Noored Kooli

Utilitas supports the Noored Kooli (Young People to Schools) development program, which addresses the critical teacher shortage in Estonia and aims to bring motivated people from other areas to schools. Good education depends on motivated teachers!

Rakett69 Science studios

You will not get far with theory alone. That’s why we invest in Rakett69 Science Studios, which promotes science and technology education by introducing these fields to children and adults in a playful way.

Rakett69 Teadusstuudiod