Veikkaus reduces its carbon dioxide emissions according to a rapid schedule

The Finnish National Lottery Veikkaus Oy has adopted an ambitious environmental goal: we will reduce our carbon dioxide emissions by 35 percent from the 2009 level by the end of next year. We expect to attain this goal according to schedule; we have already managed to reduce the emissions by 29 percent.

For Veikkaus, reinforcing environmental responsibility, as well as all the other sectors of responsibility, is extremely important. We will achieve this goal by taking concrete actions, whilst at the same time working as a pioneering trendsetter in the gaming industry.

According to Veikkaus’ CSR Specialist Pauliina Siiskonen, a single significant factor leading to a reduction in Veikkaus’ emissions was the adoption of green electricity last year. Our next steps will include compensating carbon dioxide emissions caused by air travel. They are also reduced by organizing video conferences and choosing rail travel within Finland.

− We also reduce the emissions caused by travel by making company cars subject to stricter emission limits, Siiskonen says.

The Northern Light congress, hosted by Veikkaus last summer, was the first carbon neutral lottery event ever in Europe. In the future, carbon emissions will also be compensated in other events organized by Veikkaus. The emissions will be offset by financing Gold Standard projects supported by WWF.

Veikkaus’ carbon footprint has been calculated twice: in 2009 and in 2011.  The environmental impacts were analysed in cooperation with Gaia, a company specialized in sustainable development, showing that Veikkaus’ carbon footprint was reduced by roughly one fifth in two years. In 2011 our carbon footprint remained at 3 774 tnCO². This figure includes electricity consumption at the POS, which is not covered by our environmental goal.