Environmental performance in figures

The environmental burden of bus services continues to decrease as new vehicles are introduced. Our competitive tendering process encourages bus operators to reduce emissions. Operators are awarded points in the tendering process for fuel consumption, the use of driving behavior monitoring systems, and reductions in local emissions, carbon dioxide emissions and noise.

For several years, we have conducted research together with VTT on emissions and fuel consumption of urban buses. As a result, we have developed a comprehensive database on bus emissions, which helps us further refine our tendering processes.

Environmental friendliness is a key strength of rail transport, as rail vehicles produce no local emissions. When procuring new rail vehicles, particular attention is paid to energy efficiency. Additionally, the electricity used by the Metro, commuter trains and trams is produced with renewable energy.

Kuvituskuva

How we calculate emissions

Since 2024, HSL’s organization-level emissions calculations have been performed following the international Greenhouse Gas Protocol. We conduct these calculations annually and report the results in our Annual and Responsibility Report. In addition, the Journey Planner’s emissions calculator estimates the emissions produced during the journey. The calculation takes into account the vehicle’s energy source, the total distance travelled and the average passenger load.

In the Journey Planner’s emissions calculator, bus emissions are set at 1,100 g CO₂e per kilometer for a two-axle Euro VI bus and 1,350 g CO₂e per kilometer for a Euro VI articulated bus. Our electric buses run on electricity produced from Nordic wind and hydropower. In 2024, 41.5% of our bus service seat kilometers were powered by renewable energy.

Bus service emissions are determined based on chassis dynamometer measurements conducted by VTT. The measurements were performed on the Braunschweig cycle, using an inertia mass corresponding to the vehicle’s measured kerb weight plus half of the maximum permitted payload stated on the vehicle registration certificate.

Our Metro and tram services run on electricity produced in the Nordic countries from wind, hydro, solar, or nuclear power. Trains run on hydropower. Emissions from ferry services are approximately 389 g CO₂e per kilometer, and emissions from private car travel are calculated at 170 g CO₂e per kilometer.