How we implement the UN Sustainable Development Goals
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 global targets aimed at promoting human well-being and safeguarding the planet’s capacity through 2030. They also provide industrial companies with a clear framework for developing their operations to be more socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable.
Ouneva Group recognizes the UN SDGs and has been committed to the UN Global Compact initiative since 2022, which aims to promote sustainable and responsible business. We have identified four SDG targets where we can have the greatest impact through our operations:
Goal 8 – Decent work and economic growth are realised at our company primarily through our investment in personnel. We have strengthened our supervisory work with planned coaching, helping to standardise our practices and develop our leaders’ management and communication skills. Our model for competence development supports each career path and enables learning at different stages of a working career, while our well-being model supports the holistic well-being of our staff. We manage occupational safety through continuous improvement with monitoring, corrective actions, and staff participation forming a functional whole.
Goal 9 – Industry, innovation and infrastructure is reflected in the modernization of production and technology investments, which have led to reduced energy consumption and decreased energy intensity. Increased automation across all our companies and the adoption of new technologies improve our competitiveness and support our environmental objectives. In addition, shared technological expertise within Ouneva Group ensures that best practices are quickly transferred between companies and that innovations generate tangible added value for customers.
Goal 12 – Responsible consumption and production is visible in our daily lives through material efficiency and the circular economy. The use of raw materials is optimized throughout the production chain, and, for example, our packaging has been developed to be more sustainable by using recycled materials and better suitable packaging sizes. We systematically aim to reduce the amount of waste generated in our production and to enhance material reuse. Recent measures include the development of Top Speed’s waste stream collection processes and directing Jotwire’s wood waste to biochar production. The total amount of waste at Ouneva Group decreased by 16 % between 2023 and 2024 because of long-term efforts.
Goal 13 – Climate action guides us to reduce our environmental impact and to increase our staff’s awareness of environmental considerations. We have examined the environmental impacts of our own connector products and use the results in product development and procurement decisions. We calculate Ouneva Group’s carbon footprint (Scope 1–2) annually and have published it in our sustainability review, allowing stakeholders to transparently monitor progress. Environmental metrics across our companies have been standardized, enabling better comparison and guiding towards more effective actions. We strengthen our staff’s expertise with environmental training, focusing particularly on energy use and material efficiency, as well as understanding the carbon footprint.
For us, sustainability is a journey, not a single project or action. We continuously develop our operations in a goal-oriented way and in cooperation with customers and partners to ensure that our solutions are sustainable for people, the environment, and business alike. A sustainable future doesn’t just happen – it is made.
On September 25th, the anniversary of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG Flag Day) is celebrated. This year marks exactly ten years since UN member states agreed on the Agenda 2030 action program for sustainable development, which centers around the 17 SDGs.