The Sustainable Development Goals
Today, a central issue for Nordic municipalities and government agencies is addressing the global sustainable development goals. For NCC, which has many public-sector customers, this means that we are now going to transform global needs and ambitions into concrete business solutions, locally where we operate. Agenda 2030 and the UN’s global goals help us in the process of creating change where it is most needed.
17 global goals and 169 targets
The UN and world leaders have decided on 17 goals and 169 targets to address the most urgent social, economic and environmental challenges ahead of 2030. NCC welcomes the Agenda and notes that we are on the right track in terms of our offerings. But NCC also considers that the Agenda’s goals can be used to predict what will be demanded from us in the future.
NCC has identified four global goals that the company has the greatest potential to contribute to through the Group’s solutions, as well as another eleven goals that are fundamental to NCC’s operations and products.
Our positive impact through the core business
NCC’s expertise, knowledge and solutions will be crucial for sustainable development to take place where people work, live, travel. Therefore, NCC plays an important role in the Nordic region’s contribution to goals 7, 9, 11 and 12. This includes being able to offer housing and infrastructure that everyone can afford and that breaks physical and psychological barriers in cities, that is, inclusive communities. It also involves being resource-efficient by creating circular material flows and fossil-fuel independence. As climate change increases, NCC will build resilient societies that can cope with heavy rainfalls and heat.
Our management of resources
NCC has long been proactive in the process of developing offers and working methods that improve the situation for people and the environment. Therefore, NCC sees goals 3, 6, 13, 14 and 15 as a fundamental part of the business and a prerequisite for long-term access to the natural resources that NCC needs. In addition, human health and well-being can be promoted through smart buildings and infrastructure. By integrating green areas into urban environments, NCC also contributes to improving biodiversity and ecosystems. Although the Nordic region has relatively good access to clean water today, NCC believes that goals 6 and 14 are important to support, for example through ecosystem services and water efficiency throughout the value chain.
Our value-guided points of departure
NCC is a values-driven company, and our qualifications, products, services and people form the foundation for how we do business. NCC contributes to raising knowledge and skills in society through schools we build and training we provide to both young people and employees, which contributes to goal 4. NCC follows principles of gender equality, decent working conditions and economic growth, which are directly linked to goals 5 and 8. In the work leading up to 2030, the company will also continue to promote employment of young people, ensure a safe workplace and take action to eliminate all discrimination against women. Cooperation and partnership with various stakeholders is the key to shifting towards a more sustainable world by 2030, as reflected in goals 16 and 17.
In addition to the global goals above, about 50 targets have been selected as relevant and indicative for NCC. NCC intends to continue implementing the global goals in the business, including by developing new solutions and involving more functions in the Group.