Front page Ideas & Trends Sustainability & Safety Harvia is Committed to Sustainable Development and Practices: Harvia’s 2024 Sustainability Journey

Harvia is Committed to Sustainable Development and Practices: Harvia’s 2024 Sustainability Journey

Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword – it’s the foundation of a better future for businesses and communities. At Harvia, we know the decisions we make today will impact the world tomorrow, which is why we're deeply committed to transparency and accountability in our sustainability journey. In this article, we’re excited to share the highlights from our 2024 Sustainability Report. Aligned with the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Standards, this report reveals the steps we're taking to reduce our environmental footprint, support our talented employees, and uphold the highest standards of integrity in everything we do. We recognize that there is still work ahead and that true sustainability is a journey, not a destination, which is why we remain transparent about our goals and progress each year. We’ll walk you through our key achievements and innovations in 2024 that are helping us build a more sustainable future.

Harvia's Four Key Sustainability Commitments

Harvia’s sustainability program for 2022–2025 defines the company’s four sustainability commitments which promote both people and the planet. Harvia prioritizes the most relevant United Nation’s Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) associated with those commitments. These commitments focus on driving impactful change and delivering positive outcomes for people and the environment, which are integral to our long-term business success.

Our sustainability program for 2022–2025 defines these four main areas of focus:

Good & Healthy Living
Sustainable Experiences & Enjoyment
Minimizing Environmental Footprint
Safe & Warm Community

2024: Significant Progress on Our Four Sustainability Commitments

1. Good & Healthy Living

Harvia’s mission goes beyond providing high-quality sauna products and solutions - we aim to enhance the health and well-being of our customers worldwide. By sharing science-backed insights into the health benefits of sauna use, we empower individuals to improve their overall health, longevity, and quality of life. As part of our commitment to promoting the numerous benefits of sauna use, in 2024, we launched the “Let’s Sauna” booklet. This comprehensive guide offers valuable insights into the sauna experience, detailing its health benefits and the science behind its positive effects. Available both online and in print, the booklet serves as an accessible resource that helps people incorporate sauna use into their daily lives, further supporting our goal of fostering improved health and well-being globally.

These efforts align with the SDG Goal #3, for Good Health and Well-Being, ensuring that people can benefit from both the physical and mental benefits of sauna use.

2. Sustainable Experiences & Enjoyment

At Harvia, 2024 was a year of innovation and progress, as we focused on empowering our customers to make responsible, sustainable choices. Our commitment to energy efficiency and reducing emissions continued through significant investments in research and development. One of our standout achievements was the launch of the world’s first solar-powered outdoor electric sauna – the Kirami FinVision Sauna Zero. This groundbreaking product not only offers a unique sauna experience but also aligns with our vision of providing customers with the most sustainable options on the market.

Our dedication to sustainability goes beyond innovation; we’re committed to using sustainable and sustainably sourced materials in our products. At Harvia, we design our products with longevity, safety, and serviceability in mind, contributing to SDG Goal #9, Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure and Goal #12, Responsible Consumption and Production. By offering energy-efficient solutions, we help our customers reduce their environmental impact while enjoying the many benefits of sauna use.

In line with this mission, we also launched a series of educational videos in 2024, offering expert guidance on everything from selecting the right sauna heater for your home to getting the most out of the MyHarvia mobile app. These resources are designed to help our customers make informed, sustainable choices that not only enhance their sauna experience but also contribute to a greener planet.

3. Minimizing Environmental Footprint

At Harvia, we know that every action we take leaves a footprint on the planet, which is why we’re constantly pushing ourselves to reduce our environmental impact. In 2024, we took steps to make our operations more sustainable, with a focus on combatting climate change and protecting the environment, contributing to SDG Goal #13, Climate action. From adopting renewable energy sources to optimizing our logistics, we’re determined to minimize our carbon footprint at every turn.

One exciting update in 2024: at our Kirami site in Finland, we upgraded our heating system to a cutting-edge, energy-efficient heat pump technology. This move is part of a broader strategy to reduce Scope 1 GHG emissions across the entire Harvia Group by a projected 30%. In addition, we’re installing a hybrid thermal plant at our EOS factory in Germany to drive further emissions reductions. At our Muurame factory, solar panels generated 125 MWh of electricity in 2024, helping us reduce reliance on traditional energy sources. We’re also continuously enhancing our facilities with energy-efficient LED lighting, which reduces energy consumption by approximately 90% compared to traditional lighting, contributing further to our sustainability efforts.

While Harvia has made significant strides in energy efficiency and emissions reduction initiatives, our total emissions increased in 2024. This was primarily due to overall business growth and the acquisition of Thermasol, which expanded our operations. While growth brings added responsibility, we see it as a positive development that brings new expertise and opportunities to strengthen our sustainability efforts.

These ongoing investments reflect our strong commitment to building a more sustainable future.

4. Safe & Warm Community

Harvia believes that true well-being encompasses not only our products but also the people and communities behind them. In 2024, we strengthened our commitment to workplace safety and employee well-being, resulting in a significant improvement in our safety performance, with a 27.8% reduction in lost-time injuries compared to 2023.

Additionally, our employee satisfaction survey showed a growing sense of optimism about the company’s direction, reflecting a supportive and empowering work culture.

Externally, we continue to invest in strong, long-term relationships with our customers and partners - relationships built on trust, service, and mutual growth. High customer satisfaction levels affirm the value and reliability of our products and services. These efforts collectively support SDG Goal #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, as we strive to grow sustainably while supporting the success of those around us.

Harvia’s Contribution to SDGs

Throughout our sustainability journey, Harvia remains committed to the United Nations SDGs. We prioritize the following goals:

Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being: By promoting the health benefits of sauna and improving access to wellness solutions.

Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: Ensuring fair labour practices and fostering a productive, inclusive workforce.

Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Driving innovation in sauna technologies and sustainable product development.

Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: Encouraging sustainable practices in both production and consumption.

Goal 13: Climate Action: Reducing our environmental footprint through energy-efficient technologies and emissions reduction initiatives.

Harvia’s Ongoing Commitment to Sustainability

Harvia’s sustainability journey is one of constant progress, with 2024 marking another year of steps towards a more sustainable future. We’re committed to innovation, reducing our environmental footprint, and prioritizing the well-being of both our employees and customers. At the same time, we recognise that building a responsible and profitable business is essential for long-term impact. Looking ahead, we will stay focused on delivering steady progress across our existing sustainability goals, ensuring that each step we take is rooted in responsibility, long-term value, and care for future generations.

To learn more about our sustainability achievements and business development in 2024, explore our full Annual Report.