Unlock the Blueprint for Winning Sustainability Strategies
Green horizon:
Planet One Point Five and The Danish-UK Association are pleased to release the report Green Horizon, a research study detailing the secrets behind the success of sustainability projects of leading Scandinavian companies (Orsted, DFDS, ISS, ROCKWOOL, Danfoss and SAS) operating in the UK.
We hope this work will inspire action for our readers!
inspire progress
Sustainability is a global concern, and businesses around the world are increasingly aware of their responsibility to address it.
The Planet One Point Five team has has in collaborations with the Danish-UK Association, had the honour of having in-depth conversations with six Scandinavian companies operating in the UK (Orsted, DFDS, Danfoss, ISS, SAS and ROCKWOOL), to develop the insights for this report, highlighting the best practices and trends driving their sustainability efforts.
Amongst several of the companies there is an emphasis on the need for a holistic approach to sustainability, effective communication streams, a balanced investment strategy, workforce diversity, and authentic communication.
We extend our gratitude to these six contributing companies for their invaluable insights and hope you will find them useful on your organisation’s green journey.
Read on for an executive summary and download the report below.
A Holistic Approach to Sustainability
A key insight from the conversations is the importance of looking beyond emissions when addressing sustainability. It is emphasised that it is vital to consider other aspects, such as social value, circularity, and biodiversity, to maximise the value of their efforts. This holistic approach ensures that companies not only reduce their environmental footprint but also create a positive impact on society and the planet.
Social value includes the benefits companies provide to the community, employees, and other stakeholders. Circularity refers to the implementation of a circular economy, which aims to reduce waste and encourage the reuse and recycling of resources. Biodiversity, on the other hand, relates to the preservation and enhancement of ecosystems and the species that inhabit them.
Internal and External Feedback Loops
Effective communication is crucial in strengthening sustainability efforts, complying with regulations, and inspiring new initiatives. Some participating companies emphasise the value of internal and external feedback loops for this purpose. Internal feedback loops involve engaging employees in the sustainability process, encouraging them to contribute ideas and voice concerns. External feedback loops involve actively engaging with stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, and regulators, to ensure alignment with their expectations and requirements.
These feedback loops enable companies to identify areas of improvement and facilitate continuous learning, leading to more effective and innovative sustainability initiatives.
Balancing Short-term, Long-term, and Flexible Investments
A faster and surer transition to reduce emissions can be achieved through a combination of short-term, long-term, and flexible investments and innovations. Short-term investments, such as switching to renewable energy sources or implementing energy-efficient technologies, can deliver immediate benefits. Long-term investments, such as developing new sustainable products or processes, can provide more significant, lasting benefits.
Flexible investments, such as partnering with startups or research institutions, can help companies stay abreast of emerging technologies and trends. This balanced investment strategy enables organisations to adapt to evolving market conditions and regulatory requirements, while maintaining a firm commitment to sustainability.
Workforce Diversity and Upskilling
The six Scandinavian companies recognise the value of a diverse workforce in improving their social licence to operate. By fostering an inclusive mindset and investing in upskilling, companies can create a more diverse workforce, which leads to better decision-making and innovation.
Upskilling is the process of continually developing employees’ skills and knowledge to meet the changing demands of the business and market. By investing in employee development, companies can not only attract and retain top talent but also ensure their workforce is equipped to tackle the complex sustainability challenges they face.
Authentic Communication of the Sustainability Journey
Finally, there is a general emphasis on the importance of communicating an organisations sustainability journey authentically. Even though authenticity is a challenge on it’s own.
“In the ideal world, sustainability communication involves sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly – celebrating successes, acknowledging challenges, and being transparent about setbacks.”
Authentic communication helps build trust with stakeholders and shows a genuine commitment to sustainability.
When companies are open about their sustainability journey, they can inspire others to take action, learn from their experiences, and collaborate on solutions to shared challenges.
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