6.6 Our contribution to the SDGs

Chapter 6

- The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were agreed by 193 UN member states in 2015, including by the three Nordic countries NRC Group operates in – Finland, Norway and Sweden.
  Each SDG includes measurable targets and indicators, with Governments of member states reporting on these to the UN.
  A key component of the SDGs is the principle of collaboration for their achievement, including between Government, Civil Society and Business. NRC Group is focused on collaboration and contribution towards an initial core set of SDGs, while supporting the achievement of all SDGs. In 2021, NRC Group signed up to the UN Global Compact (UNGC) which sets out ten internationally-recognised principles for responsible business conduct. In 2022, the company participated in the Climate Ambition Accelerator which is a six-month program designed to equip companies with the knowledge and skills necessary to accelerate progress towards setting science-based emission reduction targets.
  
  We believe that it is important to identify where we contribute and to what extent we deliver on relevant and specific SDG targets and indicators. The following table sets out our view on the core set of SDGs relevant to NRC Group and how these are linked with our material topics. It also gives an overview of our contribution to their achievement and our performance in relation to their specific targets and indicators.

- Targets and priorities

- 5.
  Achieve gender equality
  and empower all women and girls.
- Target
  Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.
  
  Indicator
  5.5.2 Proportion of women in managerial positions.
  
  Priority area
  Emphasising diversity and equal opportunities.
  
  Material topic
  Diversity.
  
  Contribution
  NRC Group has implemented an active recruitment approach targeting
  women in all roles and in internship programmes.
  
  Performance
  42.8% of managers in country leadership teams and top management are
  women (40.5% in 2022).

- 8.
  Promote sustained, inclusive
  and sustainable economic growth,
  full and productive employment
  and decent work for all.
- Target
  8.8 Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working
  environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular
  women migrants, and those in precarious employment.
  
  Indicator
  8.8.1 Frequency rates of fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries,
  by sex and migrant status.
  
  Priority area
  Providing a safe and secure workplace. Training and developing our people.
  
  Material topic
  Health and safety of our employees.
  
  Contribution
  NRC Group has implemented a comprehensive health, safety and wellbeing programme, covering all employees and contractors working at its operational sites.
  
  Performance
  The LTI is 5.6 (6.0 in 2022) and there were two serious injuries in 2023 (0 in 2022).

- 9.
  Build resilient infrastructure,
  promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.
- Target
  9.1 Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well- being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
  
  Indicator
  No relevant indicator.
  
  Priority area
  Ensuring ethical business practice.
  
  Material topic
  Ethical business practice.
  
  Contribution
  NRC Group builds high quality, reliable and low-carbon transport infrastructure solutions. These projects support equitable, accessible and affordable public transport. In 2023, NOK 7 billion worth of project work was delivered.
  
  Performance
  No relevant SDG indicator.

- 11.
  Make cities and human settlements
  inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
- Target
  11.2 By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons.
  Indicator
  No relevant indicator.
  Priority area
  Ensuring ethical business practice.
  Material topics
  Ethical business practice. Local community impacts.
  Contribution
  NRC Group builds high quality, reliable and low-carbon transport infrastructure solutions. These projects support equitable, accessible and affordable public transport. In 2022, NOK 7 billion worth of project work was delivered.
  Performance
  No relevant indicator.

- 12.
  Ensure sustainable consumption
  and production patterns.
- Targets
  12.4 By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
  
  12.5 By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
  
  12.6 Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies,
  to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information
  into their reporting cycle.
  
  Indicators
  No relevant indicators.
  
  Priority area
  Improving environmental performance.
  
  Material topics
  Materials and recycling. Environmental impact and compliance.
  Sustainable supply chain.
  
  Contribution
  All waste, hazardous substances and emissions related to NRC Group’s activities are handled in accordance with domestic regulations, our environmental policy and in line with the formal environmental management system in Finland and Norway. This management system has been subject to an independent audit based on the internationally-recognised ISO14001 Standard. Substantial efforts
  to prevent, reduce, reuse and recycle waste materials have been made. A wide range of sustainability initiatives have been undertaken throughout the Group and the results are transparently reported in this annual sustainability report.
  The recycling rate for NRC Group in 2023 was 89% (94% in 2022).
  
  Performance
  No relevant SDG indicators. See this report for reporting a range of indicators relevant to NRC Group.

- 13.
  Take urgent action to combat
  climate change and its impacts.
- Target and Indicator
  No relevant targets or indicators.
  
  Priority area
  Building a low carbon future.
  
  Material topic
  Climate and emissions.
  
  Contribution
  NRC Group builds resilient low-carbon transport infrastructure solutions. NRC Group has established a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions baseline and has defined reduction targets.
  
  Performance
  No relevant SDG indicators. See the report for reporting on NRC Group’s GHG emissions.