Södra and the UN Sustainable Development Goals
The 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals came into force on 1 January 2016, where world leaders pledged to set out together on the path towards a sustainable and fair future by 2030. The role and commitment of the business sector are central to these efforts.
Södra has chosen to focus on seven of the goals related to our greatest impact on society, and where our contribution is most likely to make a difference.
SDG goal 7: Affordable and clean energy
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy
How we contribute:
- We work actively to reduce the use of electricity and heating in our operations.
- We contribute by supplying green energy to local communities in the form of electricity, district heating and biofuels. We also develop new energy-related products and services.
SDG goal 8: Decent work and economic growth
Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all.
How we contribute:
- We are committed to a higher rate of innovation.
- We work actively with occupational health and safety.
- Our Code of Conduct and Supplier Code specifies the rights of employees in our own operations, and in our supply chain.
- We contribute to growth in the regions in which we operate.
SDG goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.
How we contribute:
- We are focused on the transition to fossil-free operations and to always improving the utilisation of wood raw materials.
- We are committed to a higher rate of innovation for sustainable products with improved sustainability performance.
SDG goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
How we contribute:
- We work actively to increase the use of timber as a building material by developing our products and services.
SDG goal 12: Responsible consumption and production
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
How we contribute:
- Our operations are built on a bio-based raw material and we apply the ecosystem approach. We work continuously to reduce our negative environmental impact and to improve resource efficiency across our entire value chain.
- We collaborate with stakeholders across our entire value chain to reduce our negative impact and to drive change.
SDG goal 13: Climate action
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
How we contribute:
- We implement both long and short-term initiatives to achieve fossil-free production and fossil-free transportation.
- We are committed to increasing forest growth, which will increase carbon storage.
SDG goal 15: Life on land
Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss.
How we contribute:
- We are committed to sustainable forest management, which maintains the balance between production and environmental considerations, and to preserving biodiversity by protecting areas.
