Sustainable development
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland takes responsibility for the environment and climate. The Seinäjoki Parish has been awarded the Church Environmental Diploma. We also operate as a Fairtrade Parish.
Environmental Diploma
More than 100 parishes commit to pursuing the Church Environmental Diploma each year. The Seinäjoki Parish has been awarded the Church Environmental Diploma five times. The fifth diploma period covers the years 2023-2027.
Environmental work in the Seinäjoki Parish
The steering group of the Parish Environmental work takes care of monitoring commonly set objectives, as well as updating the environmental program, keeping track of the changes in environmental legislation, environmental education and initiatives.
The group includes elected officials Pirjo Aittoniemi (chairperson) and Jouni Aila (vice-chairperson), as well as park manager Esko Karttunen, food service and cleaning manager Jaana Kujala, property manager Timo Mäki, senior chaplain Teemu Leino, chaplain Marjo Niskanen, youth worker Hanna-Riikka Tala, service secretary Katri Palomaa and director of communication Kirsi Poltto.
Toivon metsä
As part of the Toivon metsä (Forest of Hope): Well-being and Sustainable Biodiversity project, volunteers built an accessible lean-to shelter, an accessible toilet, and a woodshed in Pappilankorpi, a forest owned by the Parish of Seinäjoki Parish.
An accessible trail extends from the shelter to a natural spring, where a level resting area has been provided for a picnic table and bench set. A second branch of the trail follows the forest boundary to the Baptism Forest, where a small resting and contemplation area was created using natural stones and large aspen trunks to blend harmoniously with the surrounding landscape. The entire area is accessible, enabling people of all abilities to enjoy and move freely within this natural environment.
Fair trade parish
Organizations that have received the Fair trade title commit to use Fiar trade products in their events. The commitment to using Fair trade products means that we take collective responsibility. With the Fair trade title we want to communicate also the responsible use of church tax funds, as well as long-term procurement planning. Furthermore, the Seinäjoki parish aims to serve as a positive example for other organizations and residents in the local area.
