Environmental responsibility

VVO operates in an environmentally friendly way. The company´s environmental standpoints are defined in its environmental policy document, and annual targets in its environmental programme. The environmental impact of operations concerns development, construction and buildings maintenance. The most significant impact is greenhouse gas emissions created by the use of energy. House building and repair and maintenance work are controlled by thorough design, planning and work guidelines, the basis of which are the technical and ecological durability of buildings and an economically sustainable life cycle. VVO develops an environmentally-aware residential culture in co-operation with its partners, residents and other stakeholders. VVO has more than 1,000 resident representatives working for their buildings as voluntary experts in energy and the environment. The company´s headquarters also employs specialists in energy and environmental matters, and at the regional offices, building managers are well versed in the subjects.

Example: Kotipihaohjelma (garden programme) Autumn 2006 saw the start of the Kotipihaohjelma (garden programme), in which residents were able to influence the comfort and safety of their garden and courtyard areas in a new way. Through this programme, VVO wants to ensure that the garden/courtyard areas of houses are developed and tended more systematically and better than before. The purpose is to activate residents to improve their gardens/yards and to provide information on the significance and value of the garden to the house. The programme is being carried out together with residents´ representatives and VVO-kotikeskus home centres. It has been planned five years in advance, but is checked annually.