We are strongly committed to sustainability at Sweco
Sweco’s goal is to achieve net-zero emissions in its own operations by 2040 and to halve the company’s emissions by 2030 from base-year 2020 levels.
In 2024, the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) validated and approved Sweco’s near-term targets for 2030: we commit to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 90 per cent and Scope 3 emissions by 30 per cent by 2030 from a 2020 base year.
We invest in our personnel’s sustainability expertise, promote diversity in Sweco’s work community and manage responsibility transparently. We promote the UN Sustainable Development Goals and comply with international sustainability commitments as part of our sustainability strategy.
Net-zero emissions at the core of corporate sustainability at Sweco
The EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) obliges Sweco to report environmental, social and governance responsibility measures from 2024 onwards as part of the Group’s annual report. In addition, we have the company’s own sustainability targets, such as the jointly agreed net-zero target and emission reduction roadmap for green house gases. We are committed to several initiatives that promote sustainable development, such as the United Nations Global Compact and the Science Based Targets initiative.
Sweco’s goal is to achieve net-zero emissions in its own operations by 2040 and to halve the company’s emissions by 2030 from base-year 2020 levels. In 2024, the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) validated and approved Sweco’s near-term targets for 2030: we commit to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 90 per cent and Scope 3 emissions by 30 per cent by 2030 from a 2020 base year.
These goals reflect our commitment to climate action and sustainable development. To achieve net-zero by 2040, we monitor and report our own greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the international Greenhouse Gas Protocol standard. Since 2022, we have reported our carbon dioxide emissions throughout the Group through the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). In addition, the third-party Futureproofed audit has begun in 2024: we annually calculate our own carbon footprint in all Sweco Group countries based on uniform criteria using the Futureproofed tool.
Sweco Finland has applied for the international EcoVadis sustainability classification for its own operations, the update is received in April 2025. Sweco has received a Silver rating from Ecovadis and is among the top 15% companies. In addition, we have received the Sustainable Environmental Building Label, the KESY label, which was awarded to Sweco Finland in 2023.
Environmental responsibility in our everyday life
At Sweco, we have taken several concrete measures to promote sustainable development. One example of practical measures is to extend the leasing period for phones and computers by one year, and to set stricter emission limits for leasing cars. Already 36% of our own car fleet is electric in Finland, and 65% at Sweco Group level.
We have also switched the electricity from our premises to renewable electricity in those offices where we can influence the property owner’s contracts. We are actively discussing with property owners to increase the share of renewable energy in energy consumption. In Finland, the share of renewable energy in our offices is already over 50%. In addition, we are setting procurement criteria that support low-carbon operating methods.
We encourage our personnel to travel sustainably to work by offering discounted commuter tickets. We also develop our office premises to support biking to work. We have updated our business travel policy to prefer train instead of air travel. We will also update our corporate policy and enhance the use of our premises in accordance with the principles of hybrid work.
Corporate responsibility includes developing the competence of personnel
We invest in developing our environmental and climate expertise, as we believe that knowledge and competence play a key role in implementing responsible solutions. We actively share good practices and learning experiences between project teams, thus promoting the spread of know-how and collaboration. An online sustainable development course open to all Sweco employees, along with monthly virtual coffee breaks, enables continuous competence development on environmental responsibility topics.
A deep understanding of responsibility and sustainable solutions enhances the impact of our design work. Our goal is not only to reduce the negative environmental impact of our projects but also to create positive impacts that improve the built environment.
Our skilled and committed designers present solutions that can improve our clients’ sustainability beyond the project’s original target level.
Sweco’s own training and development programme, Sweco Academy, organises sustainable development training for our employees. Sweco employees have their own course on sustainable development, which is open to all Sweco employees and is part of the induction programme for new Sweco employees. We are proud of our role as pioneers in responsible design and of being part of building a more sustainable future.
Diversity and inclusion at Sweco
Diversity and inclusion at Sweco
Sweco’s DEI strategy was completed in early 2023. The starting point of our strategy is to invest in building a genuinely more inclusive work community and only then invest in the development of a more diverse work community.
The goal is to create a work community where every Sweco employee feels that they can be themselves and belong to a team. In addition, we want to ensure that all employees have equal opportunities to succeed and develop in their own work.
Photo Credit: Sweco
Healthy work community is at the core of sustainability at Sweco
We emphasise open dialogue in promoting a healthy work community. We continuously evaluate our success and develop our operations through regular employee surveys, for example.
Sweco’s supervisor work is systematically monitored through personnel surveys, in which the performance of the team and supervisor is evaluated using diverse indicators.
Personnel practices and guidelines have been drawn up in such a way that they are not directly or indirectly discriminatory. The equality and non-discrimination plan records the measures to promote them and agrees on their implementation and monitoring.
Sweco Finland’s co-operation group acts as the forum responsible for cooperation at the Sweco Finland level.
Sweco Academy develops the expertise of all Sweco employees. It offers diverse opportunities for learning, career development and knowledge sharing.
We invest in the well-being of our employees by identifying work-related risks and promoting physical and mental health. We work in close cooperation with occupational health care and follow the work community development plan in our organisation.
Responsible business and sustainability management
At Sweco, sustainability management covers a wide range of areas that affect the organisation’s ethics and societal impact. In all our operations, we comply with local, European and international laws as well as Sweco’s internal policies and guidelines.
Code of Conduct
Sweco’s Code of Conduct is the cornerstone of our business. All Sweco employees participate annually in ethical training and commit to complying with the guidelines in all situations. This strengthens our responsibility and sustainability culture at Sweco.
Business ethics
Business ethics guide our daily work, including business practices, use of resources and engagement with stakeholders. Clear instructions are essential for carrying out Sweco’s tasks. The Code of Conduct emphasises zero tolerance for bribery, corruption, fraud and anti-competitive activities. It guarantees that Sweco’s employees and partners act responsibly.
Quality certificates
Sustainability management is essential in all our projects. This ensures that our processes meet the highest standards, deliver value, and remain safe and reliable. Sweco’s management systems hold the following certifications:
- ISO 9001: A quality certification that guarantees our processes comply with high quality requirements.
- ISO 14001: An environmental certification that ensures our environmental management system meets international standards.
- ISO 45001: An occupational health and safety certification that demonstrates our commitment to a safe working environment.
- ISO 27001: An information security management certification that defines requirements for an information security management system and helps protect data systematically and effectively through risk management.
By meeting the requirements of these standards, we ensure the quality of our operations, the well-being of the environment and people, as well as the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information.
Sustainability certification: EcoVadis Silver
Sweco Finland has applied for the international EcoVadis sustainability classification for its own operations. Sweco has received a Silver rating and is among the top 15% companies. The validation is updated in April 2025.
EcoVadis is one of the world’s leading sustainability assessment systems, which examines a company’s sustainability processes from the perspectives of environmental and climate sustainability, implementation of human and labour rights, ethical policies and procurement processes, and transparency. EcoVadis’ assessment methodology is based on internationally accepted principles for corporate responsibility reporting, such as the Global Reporting (GRI) guidelines, the UN Global Combat initiative and the ISO 26000 standard. The assessment is valid for one year at a time.
Social debate
Participation in social dialogue is a prerequisite for the existence of a responsible company and an opportunity to prove corporate sustainability. We are members of numerous organisations and advocacy groups in our field, including Climate Leadership coalition CLC, Green Building Council Finland FiGBC, SKOL,Technology Industries and RIL.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
Our work is guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In our daily expert work, we have a particular impact on five UN sustainability goals:
6 – Clean water and sanitation
7 – Affordable and clean energy
9 – Sustainable industry, innovation and infrastructure
11 – Sustainable cities and communities
13 – Climate action
This is how our work affects the UN Sustainable Development Goals »
Sustainability at Sweco aims at the well-being of the climate, nature and people
Our goal is to be a leading expert of the green transition in Europe. In addition to continuously updating our own sustainability decisions, developing our sustainability actions and monitoring our sustainability results in terms of environmental, social and economic responsibility, our work has a significant impact on the sustainability and responsibility of our clients and society.
Together with our clients and experts, we tackle the challenges of urbanisation and the opportunities offered by digitalisation and create solutions that promote the development of a more sustainable society.
Sustainability target
Sweco’s goal is to achieve net-zero emissions in its own operations by 2040.
Sustainability strategy
Sustainability forms an internal part of Sweco’s business and strategy.
Sustainability report
Sustainability plays a crucial role in Sweco’s daily work.
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