Background
In 2015, the world’s heads of state and government adopted a new development agenda; Agenda 2030. It consists of 17 global goals for sustainable development aimed at eradicating poverty, stopping climate change and creating peaceful and secure societies. Our aim is to contribute to fulfilling these global goals.
Snells Entreprenad AB is a profitable, successful and sustainable (socially, ethically, environmentally and financially) business. Our long-term success as a company is linked to the social and environmental challenges. By acting in a sustainable way, we gain long-term financial sustainability. Together with our employees, suppliers and our customers, we make a difference to society.
Our company is guided by the UN’s ten principles for business and human rights in the UN’s Global Compact:
- Support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights.
- Make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.
- Uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition the right to collective bargaining.
- Eliminate all forms of forced compulsor labour.
- Abolish child labour.
- Eliminate discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.
- Support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges.
- Undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility.
- Encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.
- Work against all forms of corruption, including extortion and bribery.
Aim
The aim of the policy is to provide a governing document for running a sustainable business and implementing our values. The policy defines what sustainability is for Snells and how we should integrate sustainability work into everything we do. The policy applies to all our operations and is the overall governing document for sustainability. The policy is supplemented by policies in specific areas.
Definition
Our definition of sustainable development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Snells Entreprenad AB includes financial, social, environmental and ethical aspects within the definition of sustainability. This implies respect for and protection of the environment, human rights, employee rights and business ethics.
The role of the company
Sustainability is important to us. Our role in running a sustainable company is to create a positive impact through our operations, to be a sustainable choice for customers and to inspire others and each other to make sustainable choices. In every decision and in all our activities, we must strive to meet our sustainability goals. By conducting sustainable operations, we also strengthen our brand.
Our six aspects of sustainability
Social sustainability
This means that we contribute to society’s development by promoting human rights, fair working conditions, diversity, equality and social commitment. We have a responsibility to respect human rights and to act to avoid violating the rights of others in our operations. We follow laws and regulations, we pay taxes and engage in social issues to support a cohesive society. When we buy goods and services, we choose suppliers who meet social sustainability at all levels. We must have a great commitment to the development of the local communities where we have our operations, and especially in Pajala municipality and Tornedalen. Our Code of Conduct guides the work and provides additional guidance in social sustainability.
Personnel
We must offer decent conditions to all our employees. Fairness and good working conditions for Snell’s employees are both a responsibility and a competitive advantage. Through this, we can retain and attract new employees. Diversity and equality are prerequisites for not choosing the best competence. We are open to people regardless of their economic and social status, age, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual identity or disability. We give our employees influence over the business as it creates increased well-being, commitment and higher motivation. We invite creativity and innovation in sustainability work and all our operations, in order to take advantage of our employees’ abilities and create a more efficient operation. Continuing education must be encouraged as it contributes to the development of the company and the staff. We want the companies we cooperate with to also offer decent terms. Our Personnel Policy provides guidance and rules in the area.
Good working environment
In order to achieve long-term sustainability for Snells and our employees, our goal is to offer the best possible working environment, without risks of accidents or ill health. We work systematically for a good physical, organizational and social work environment, free from abusive discrimination and bullying. Each manager is responsible for the work environment in his area and each employee is responsible for following safety regulations and for avoiding exposing himself or others to risks. Everyone is encouraged to contribute suggestions to bring about improvements in order to achieve a healthy and safe working environment. Our managers and safety representatives are trained in work environment issues. We have engaged occupational health care for support in the work environment and rehabilitation. Our work environment work must fulfill the intentions of the Work Environment Act and fulfill the requirements in regulations from the Work Environment Agency. Our Work Environment Policy governs our work environment work. When we hire contractors and suppliers, we must require them to minimize risks and comply with laws and regulations.
Environmental sustainability
For Snells Entreprenad AB, environmental sustainability is to contribute to a sustainable utilization of the earth’s limited resources and to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases within our entire business. This means, for example, that we try to avoid fossil fuels and choose renewable energy sources. In all our projects, alternative fuels, primarily electricity, for our crushers and construction machinery must be seen as a possibility. We encourage travel by public transport, we minimize business travel, paper and electricity consumption. We sort and minimize waste. We choose environmentally friendly products and solutions that minimize our environmental impact. We choose suppliers who are good environmental choices. In our Environmental Policy, we set rules and routines for our environmentally sustainable work.
Ethical sustainability
Our values and our culture must shape decision-making and behavior. Snells Entreprenad AB places high demands on business ethics in order to build trust and contribute to a better society. We never accept bribes and corruption. Our Policy against corruption provides guidance and rules in the area.
Financial sustainability
In 2018, the European Commission launched its action plan for financing sustainable growth and adopted three overarching goals:
- Redirect capital flows towards a more sustainable economy.
- Integrate sustainability into risk management.
- Promote transparency and long-termism in the financial market and in the economy as a whole.
Snells Entreprenad AB must, within the framework of our business, contribute to fulfilling the three goals. We promote financial sustainability through careful analysis of sustainability-related risks. We do not invest money in funds or companies with environmentally harmful practices
Reporting and tranparency
We are transparent regarding sustainability and the results of all aspects of our sustainability work. Every member of our organisation must understand this policy and strive to uphold the meaning of it. Our sustainability policy is published on our webpage and is communicated to external partners. We report internally how our sustainability work is going. Our external ongoing reporting is done on our webpage. Our annual report contains a sustainability report regarding our six aspects of sustainability.
