Improving environmental performance and related costs in a public organization through initial environmental review : case study - Helsinki Police Department

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore what the Helsinki Police Department could do to improve its overall environmental performance and related costs from the perspective of sustainable development. A research project on this topic was carried out and became the groundwork of this thesis. The two reviewed theoretical concepts were: (1) initial environmental review and (2) sustainable environmental direction and practices.

This research was designed based on a single case study, qualitative and inductive standpoints. The scope of the review was narrowed down to the Helsinki Police Department’s main police station in Helsinki ‒ Pasila Police Station. Within this station, the research focused on eight selected operational areas: (1) organization overview; (2) property management; (3) procurement, material use and office practices; (4) hazardous material; (5) environmental training; (6) environmental incident; (7) fleet management and (8) most visible subcontractors. Eleven people were interviewed for primary data. Secondary data was collected from multi-sources and then analyzed collectively to form a big picture of the organization, which allowed the researcher to decide which areas should be primarily paid attention to in conjunction with overall improvement.

Base on research findings, three sequential analyses were conducted: (1) identifying environmental aspects; (2) identifying significant environmental aspects; and (3) identifying gap. The final analysis revealed that improving overall environmental performance and related costs should start from the three cluster areas: (1) fleet management; (2) energy management and (3) stakeholder engagement. Recommendations were tailored-made for the detected issues.