100 sustainability tips collected in a single year – reflections from content partner
When I visited Hawkhill for the first time, I was so fascinated by the surrounding nature, quality of the cabins and how natural materials used in them create a tangible sense of wellbeing, that I totally missed almost all of the finer details.
Over the years though, I got to know the owners and employees, began to understand Hawkhill’s values and way of operating and got to witness the company’s development firsthand. That’s when I also started to grasp the full scale of their sustainability efforts. As a communication professional, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with many companies on their inspiring sustainability journeys. To me, Hawkhill stands out above all for the sheer number and staggering creativity of concrete sustainability actions.
In this blog, I will share how I contributed to Hawkhill’s 100 Sustainability Actions video series, which can be viewed on Hawkhill’s Instagram profile.
As an personal favourite of their creativity and upcycling mindset, I’d like to highlight the lamp in Villa Juhani. It was once a tree, used to build a barn many years ago. When the barn was dismantled, the wood became part of a cabin. And when that old cabin reached the end of its lifecycle, one of the logs was repurposed into a ceiling light fixture for Juhani, a beautifully unique piece that brings me joy every time I see it.
We came up with 100 ideas in one sitting
One year ago, I sat down with Hawkhill’s Annu Huotari. Annu actively participates in public discussions about sustainability, both within the tourism industry and on broader topics. She is often invited as a panelist or speaker at events in Finland and abroad – and for a good reason. Annu’s knowledgeable, courageous, solution-oriented, and refreshingly straightforward approach to sustainability work is nothing short of inspiring. I’ve learned a lot from her, particularly that there’s no need to overthink things if you know what needs to be done. Just get on with it!
Visit Finland has also recognised Annu’s value as a thought leader, selecting her as their very first Sustainability Ambassador.
In our meeting a year ago, Annu mentioned that she’s often asked for more concrete examples. The world is full of abstract fluff, and there are plenty of organisations that genuinely want to improve their sustainability practices – but how exactly, in practice?
To answer this need, Annu and I came up with the idea for a series of 100 Sustainability Tips, featuring Hawkhill’s current actions with a focus on making them adaptable or at least inspiring for others. Hawkhill is always more than willing to share its sustainability practices and ideas, always advocating an “open source” mentality. Action is needed now, on every level, and we can all learn from each other.
During our meeting, Annu claimed she could write down 100 sustainability actions on the spot. Feeling slightly suspicious, I challenged her to do that. But, sure enough, Annu filled her notebook with a list of 100 bullet points in a single sitting, off the top of her head!
We got to work.
Every action matters, large and small
When the goal is to publish 100 concrete actions as social media videos, the final selection inevitably includes both small-scale and large-scale initiatives. For instance, the series highlights Hawkhill’s switch to fully electric vehicles for internal logistics – a change that’s already reflected in their Scope 1 carbon footprint calculations. Similarly, their smart heating management system may not make a particularly exciting video, but heating accounts for a substantial portion of energy use, and smart optimisation significantly reduces it.
On the other hand, even the smallest actions can inspire with their creativity. They also serve to demonstrate how deeply sustainability is embedded in Hawkhill’s thinking. My personal favourites include upcycling old logs and fence posts. The former have been repurposed into sturdy, comfortable stools and at least one bedside table, while the latter have been transformed into ramp railings and lantern holders as well as used to repair a broken sign.
I’ve also been impressed by how many items on the list involve collaborating with local partners, communities, or groups. For example, Hawkhill’s catering sources many ingredients from nearby partners, such as Illilä Farm and Hennola Farm in Vihti. Every year, Hawkhill participates in organising events like the Lux Nuuksio light festival by the Nuuksio Lakeland community and actively supports the local village of Tervalampi.
What moved me most personally, however, is Hawkhill’s work in land usage, biodiversity and ecological restoration. They have an in-depth understanding of the biotypes on their lands, and the 100 Sustainability Actions series includes numerous concrete measures to protect biodiversity and restore the land to its natural state.
For instance, their bog has been restored, and well-marked trails protect the sensitive flora on the Haukkamäki cliffs. On the programme side, e.g. building insect hotels offers guests an enjoyable hands-on experience while also pioneering regenerative tourism practices.
The future is founded on collaboration
The UN’s Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, which Hawkhill has also signed, provides the industry with a clear framework for assessing its climate and environmental efforts. Notably, it dedicates an entire section to collaboration, under the heading “Collaboration.”
To me, this also highlights the vital importance of active cooperation, as well as the sharing of concrete actions and best practices.
Hawkhill’s 100 Sustainability Actions video series is available on their Instagram profile. I sincerely hope it will inspire others not only to take action but also to share their own ideas. After all, sustainability is a shared responsibility for the sake of our shared future.
If you’d like to learn more about Hawkhill’s sustainability work as a whole, it’s been compiled into a single, freely downloadable document, Climate Action Plan (PDF).