The green transition and sustainability reporting in the Wellbeing Services County of Päijät-Häme

Abstract The health and social services are responsible for approximately 6.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions in Finland. Without significant changes, these emissions will continue to rise. Therefore, service providers need to address their environmental footprint without compromising patient safety. Since the national reform in 2023, the Wellbeing Services County of Päijät-Häme has been responsible for providing health, social, and rescue services for the region of Päijät-Häme, which has a population of 200,000 people. The county hosts the second largest regional hospital in Finland and operates 170 service points, making it the largest employer in the region with 8,000 employees. The Wellbeing Services County of Päijät-Häme aims to enhance sustainable service delivery and attain carbon neutrality by 2035. Achieving these objectives requires the establishment of governance structures to facilitate a sustainable transition. The county participates in co-developing and testing the Knowledge Sharing and Decision Support System in the Caring Nature project. A key component of the Decision Support System is the sustainability reporting framework for healthcare, which is aligned with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). This presentation will discuss sustainability reporting within the Wellbeing Services County of Päijät-Häme and the preliminary results of implementing a healthcare sustainability reporting framework compliant with CSRD. Sustainability reporting enables healthcare providers to assess and communicate their environmental, social, and economic impacts. This practice not only enhances transparency and accountability but also fosters long-term strategic planning and trust.