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The pillars of Nevel's sustainability programme

The pillars of Nevel’s sustainability programme

Nevel sets annual sustainability targets through its sustainability programme, which provides a clear framework for prioritising actions, monitoring progress and continually improving performance across environmental, social and governance (ESG) dimensions.

The framework is based on EU VSME standards, which we reference in our sustainability reporting, and we have committed to set targets aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) criteria; we are working on submitting our targets for validation. By joining the SBTi, we are ensuring that our climate actions are aligned with the latest science.

Supporting the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals

The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations member states in 2015, provides a shared vision for global sustainability. Nevel is committed to supporting the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Nevel is closely following the UN’s post-2030 development agenda in order to align its actions with the set goals.

Nevel’s framework for ESG practices, existing policies and planned future initiatives

Sustainability issue

Description of practices, policies or future initiatives

Future targets
Climate Change
  • Investing in utility infrastructure and fleet modernisation
  • Gradually phasing out fossil fuel use
  • Investing in renewable energy
  • Widening mix of energy sources to include non-combustion solutions and new technologies, e.g. electrification, industrial and municipal side streams, solid recovered fuel, excess heat
  • Improving energy efficiency
  • Producing biogas to displace fossil fuel use in transport and industrial applications
  • ESG risk assessments
  • Physical climate risk assessment
  • Scope 1 and 2 carbon-neutral energy production by 2030 (Real Estate solutions business) and 2035 (Industry business)
  • Scope 3 carbon neutrality in all markets according to national targets
  • Commitment to set emission reduction targets aligned with Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)
Pollution
  • Operation in accordance with environmental permits
  • Minimising impact on water bodies
  • Regular emission monitoring
  • Monitoring environmental impact, e.g. air and ground water quality
  • Implementation of technological reduction methods, e.g. flue gas condensers and wastewater treatment
  • No significant environmental deviations
  • Zero environmental incidents
Water and Marine Resources
  • Operation in accordance with environmental permits
  • Minimising water use and discharge volumes where possible
  • No significant environmental deviations
  • Zero environmental incidents
  • Minimising water use and increase water reuse
Biodiversity and ecosystems
  • Site locations mapped in relation to sensitive areas, e.g. Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) and Natura 2000
  • Biodiversity risks evaluated as part of site-specific risk assessment
  • 100% sustainably sourced biomass
  • Implementation of biodiversity policy
  • Net-positive impact on nature by 2035
  • Certified biofuel sourcing according to FSC or PEFC by 2030
Circular Economy
  • Providing material circularity platforms to convert waste and residues into energy and recycled nutrients
  • Utilising local side streams
  • Reducing mineral fertilizer need by producing recycled fertilizer from biogas sites
  • Minimising waste generated
  • Efficient sorting and utilisation of waste materials
  • Expanding material-efficient platform
  • Enhancing local side stream utilisation
  • 100% utilisation of ash, digestate and compost
Own Workforce
  • Safety culture development based on zero injury principle
  • Preventive safety approach e.g. preventive safety observations, aligned work permit procedures, risk and fire safety assessments, case reporting and handling tool
  • Occupational health service
  • Great Place to Work® employee programme
  • Pulse surveys to gather feedback from employees
  • Competence development and induction programme
  • Leadership development training
  • Performance review discussion, target setting
  • Continuous improvement in preventive safety approach
  • Employee health rate
  • Zero injuries
  • ISO 45001 implementation
  • Continuous improvement in employee engagement
Workers in the Value Chain
  • Supplier code of conduct in all agreements
  • Supplier sustainability survey
  • Regular supplier audits
  • Development of sustainability criteria for supplier selection
  • Working with suppliers to set shared sustainability targets
  • eLearning available for contractors
  • Sustainable value chain: Scope 3 emission reduction, zero injuries, ethical and transparent business conduct
Affected Communities
  • Drive just transition i.e. taking into account economic, social and environmental impacts
  • Investments in utility infrastructure to drive sustainable, climate-positive growth
  • Ensure security of supply
  • Proactive community dialogue to ensure sustainable operations
  • Job opportunities
  • Local partnerships
  • Customer and stakeholder trust, Net Promotor Score (NPS)
  • Reliability of operations
  • Good corporate citizenship and reputation
Workers in the Value Chain
  • Reliable, sustainable energy service
  • Customer service and service interruption alerts
  • Customer extranet with access to consumption and invoicing data
  • Pricing and invoicing updates
  • Job opportunities
  • Information about social impact
  • Customer satisfaction, NPS
  • Customer retention
  • Reliability of operations
Business Conduct
  • Code of conduct and whistleblowing channel available across markets
  • Comprehensive risk management practices
  • ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certification in use in Finland and Sweden
  • Customer and stakeholder trust, NPS
  • Good corporate citizenship and reputation
  • Maintaining ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certifications