Our own sustainable initiatives

NIRAS’ main contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is rooted in the thousands of projects where we together with our clients and partners deliver sustainable impact.

Our work supports our clients in becoming important contributors to the realisation of the SDGs such as lower greenhouse gas emissions, responsible use of resources, job creation, better health, etc.

As a people business, NIRAS' own negative impact is limited, however we have a responsibility towards our employees, our clients and the society, to take action. Our main impact is related to emissions of greenhouse gases and a sustainable consumption.

Below is an overview of NIRAS’ SDG impact:

For NIRAS internal work five SDGs will be in focus to minimise our negative impact and maximise our contribution to the SDGs. Beyond the five selected SDG’s, we support and encourage multidisciplinary projects across sectors and PhD projects for innovation.

The selected SDGs are listed below, including the reasons why they are important to NIRAS, our approach to tackle them, and how we expect to meet the SDGs.

SDG 3: Employees are NIRAS' most important resources

NIRAS is actively aiming to maintain good mental and physical health of all employees.

• Offering of good physical working environment and working stations
• Strengthen efforts preventing stress including awareness of possibilities in flexible working hours and working from home.
• Continue funding and visibility of exercise opportunities and social clubs in NIRAS offices.

SDG 4: NIRAS will inspire employees to have a high level of competence

NIRAS will actively encourage lifelong learning and promote collaboration with educational institutions.

• Identifying relevant educational institutions for NIRAS to engage with and promote collaboration internally and externally.
• Implementation of a new Learning Management System (LMS) to support every day learning in projects.
• A dedicated fund for specific competence development

SDG 5: In NIRAS we have jointed responsibility to ensure that employees are treated equally

NIRAS’ focus is therefore equal opportunities and payment regardless of gender.

• Review on payment statistics for men and women.
• Promote role models and provide mentor opportunities for women who want to be leaders.
• Ensure equal representation of women and men in our talent program and other educational activities.
• Develop and support new forms of management, e.g. shared management.

SDG 12: NIRAS is obligated to reduce the use of resources

NIRAS will make requirements for procurement focusing on buying green and minimising waste.  

NIRAS has developed a policy with requirements for procurement that are currently being implemented. This includes initiatives like minimising transportation by flight, food waste, reuse of IT equipment and furniture and other initiatives. 

SDG 13: NIRAS has a responsibility to reduce CO2 emissions

NIRAS aims to be CO₂ neutral in scope 1 and 2 in 2030. A detailed action plan for achieving CO₂-neutrality for NIRAS is currently being prepared.

Carbon neutrality will primarily be achieved through conversion from gas boilers to heat pumps and from fossil cars to electric cars.

NIRAS reports on scope 3 in the climate accounts and has launched initiatives to reduce scope 3 footprint in cooperation with our suppliers (see SDG 12). NIRAS targets will annually be reviewed.