Strategy for sustainability

Our strategic approach

A customer focus and sustainable development are the basis of Swedavia’s strategic approach. This strategic approach is our Group-wide guiding principle, which describes the goal we aim for and what strategic moves we need to make to reach this goal.

We have formulated four strategies and a base that, combined with an engaged culture, shall help to achieve all of the company’s goals.

Goals and outcomes

Running and developing operations in a sustainable way is a basic requirement for Swedavia to remain competitive. To create change and value, Swedavia has defined five sustainability targets, of which the fifth – for fossil carbon dioxide emissions from the company’s own operations – was reached in 2020.

Governance of Swedavia’s sustainability work

Sustainability issues are integral to Swedavia’s work with business operations through the company’s strategic approach and priority material topics, which are broken down into targets and activities in all business and operational plans. These are measured and reviewed on a quarterly basis by the Group management and Board of Directors. As a result, sustainability issues are integrated throughout the organisation.

Our Code of Conduct constitutes the foundation of all operations and clarifies how we shall conduct ourselves in order to meet the requirements placed on operations by taking an approach we are proud of. The code, which has been adopted by the Board, lays out clear expectations of how our employees and suppliers shall conduct themselves. Along with the code, we have a number of Group-wide policies that set the approach in a given area.

Swedavia has an environmental management system that is certified under ISO 14001:2015 standards. This environmental management system provides the framework for Swedavia’s systematic work with energy efficiency improvements, which involve the entire organisation. By improving its energy efficiency, Swedavia reduces its resource use and climate impact while lowering energy costs.

ISO 14001:2015 Certificate, PDF

Swedavia’s Environmental and Energy Policy, PDF 

Materiality analysis

Our materiality analysis, which incorporates our stakeholder dialogue and ongoing business intelligence as well as analyses of the impact of our own operations on people, the environment and the economy, serves as the foundation of our strategic approach and what topics shall be the focus of our sustainability work. A new detailed materiality analysis was carried out in 2019. In it, seven priority material topics were identified. The topics not defined as material but that can be considered  important to our continued work are addressed as needed in our ongoing business planning.

Our contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals

The UN’s 2030 Agenda is the most ambitious sustainable development agenda that the world’s leaders have ever agreed on. The aim is, by 2030, to:

• eradicate poverty
• reduce inequalities
• take urgent action to prevent climate change
• promote peace

In order for the world to succeed, agreement has been reached on 17 global targets that together will help realise this vision. The goals apply in all countries and to all people. As a State-owned company, we are expected by our owner to contribute to these global goals and make business decisions in line with them.

We have analysed all of the goals and sub-goals. Of the 17 goals, we have identified four goals that have top priority for us right now and that we can mainly contribute to so that there is progress in the short and long term.