Tord Svedberg, CEO Our work for a sustainable society

PETER NYGÅRDS, CHAIR OF THE FOUNDATION: WE HAVE LAID AN IMPORTANT FOUNDATION

Setting our sights on a sustainable society

IVL’s work has never been more important, and it is clear that everyone has to increase the pace of their contribution to the global goals. At IVL, we are working in a focused manner to identify solutions within our three thematic areas: Sustainable Societies, Sustainable Production and Consumption and Sustainable Environment.

With key concepts such as utilising the opportunities of digitalisation, change management with a life cycle and system perspective, as well as governance, we are contributing to the global goals and Agenda 2030.

Most people are aware that IVL conducts advanced research and consultancy activities in the field of the environment. Less well known is the fact that we have access to a form of funding whereby the state contributes half of the sum. Read more about how your company can make use of this alongside us on pages 14-16. On the subsequent spread, you can also read the opinions of our customers and the environmental benefits we have achieved together.

To find out more about how we integrate with Agenda 2030 in our assignments and research projects, both nationally and globally, you can read about this on pages 19-21.

Climate-neutral, climate-positive, net zero emissions, CER, VER and Article 6. These terms may seem confusing. Kenneth Möllersten investigates them on pages 34-37. You can also find out more about what is the perfect carbon offsetting project.

Did you know that more than 1.3 million tonnes of food waste is produced every year in Sweden, equivalent to 133 kg per person. Food waste gives rise to an incredibly unnecessary impact on the environment and the climate. On pages 26-27, Tova Andersson explains how households can save thousands of kronor a year and the food industry many millions by reducing waste, now that the industry is working together to minimise food waste.

The construction and real estate sector accounts for almost a fifth of Sweden’s climate impact, of which half derives from construction activities. Read about the project Climate requirements at a reasonable cost on pages 38-39.

In collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry association Lif, we have developed a model for the environmental assessment of pharmaceuticals. You can read about this on pages 22-23.

The world’s first large-scale plant for automatic textile sorting was inaugurated in November 2020. With an annual sorting capacity of 24,000 tonnes of textile, the plant will boost Swedish textile recycling and give new life to tonnes of clothes and fabrics. Read the report on pages 30-32.

Although 2020 was a year of closed borders, travel restrictions and reduced mobility, IVL’s international operations remained strong. On pages 46-47, you can see a selection of our international projects.

The past year has been turbulent due to the worldwide pandemic, yet we succeeded in transforming our operations rapidly and have continued to deliver, despite everything. Thanks to our dedicated and skilled employees, 2020 was another successful year.

Happy reading!

MARIE FOSSUM STRANNEGÅRD, CEO

Important events in 2020

2020 has been an eventful year for IVL, with a global pandemic and the various adaptations this has demanded. The pandemic hit hard initially, and one of our largest customers put their contract on hold, which led to us being forced to implement short-term layoffs and seek government support. The work started little-by-little, however, and we did not need to seek further support.

On 16 April, Marie Fossum Strannegård took up her new position as CEO. Marie joined IVL from EY, where she had been a partner.

The pandemic led to the stoppage of all travel, which affected the results in the form of significantly reduced costs.

On 31 July 2020, the former CEO retired at the age of 62. According to the agreement, IVL paid the premium for retirement pension as though the CEO had worked until the age of 65. The final payment corresponds to 35% of the annual salary at the time of retirement, including the value of car benefits.

During the year, IVL became the new majority owner of the independent labelling system Möbelfakta, which was previously owned by Trä- och Möbelföretagen. IVL will operate and develop the system in future to meet the requirements of public procurement and be able to grow internationally. At the beginning of May, Johan Söderqvist took up the position of CEO of IVL’s new subsidiary – the labelling system Möbelfakta.