6 minute read
Our core values
Climate impact
We want to contribute to the goals of the Paris Agreement by reducing our climate footprint. As our first step, we are doing climate calculations on each part of our operations, after which we will establish a plan for how to achieve our goal of being climate neutral by 2045.
OUR OBJECTIVE
Climate-neutral. Our goal is to be climate neutral as regards scope 1 (direct emissions) and scope 2 (indirect emissions from electricity) by 2035. In 2045 we will also be climate neutral as regards scope 3 (indirect greenhouse gas emissions outside the realm of the company’s operations). Goal fulfilment will be measured using the key figure CO2 per work hour. Energy consumption. The proportion of purchased electricity will have decreased by 40% by 2035. This goal will be measured in purchased kWh per work hour.
GOVERNANCE AND MONITORING
This work is governed by our policy documents: Sustainability Policy and Environmental Policy and through our management system. The group CEO and the business area managers are ultimately responsible and each manager is responsible for the work at their own level of the organisation. For a monitoring tool, we use key figures that are monitored annually, with the aim of doing so at shorter intervals. The key figures on electricity consumption and carbon dioxide emissions are primarily based on purchasing data. The intent is to do climate calculations on all operations in the Proton Group, after which we will establish an action plan for how to achieve our goal of being climate neutral.
COMPLETED ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
In cases where we can control our own purchases, the entire Proton Group has purchased solely fossil-free electricity since 2012, and since 2020 all electricity comes from renewable sources. In 2018 all natural gas was replaced with biogas. Energy surveys have been done at group level and we have also installed charging stations for electric cars outside the headquarters and Proton Lighting. Proton Technology, which handles many samples from international companies, has reduced the number of outgoing shipments, and also offsets the climate impact of the shipments. In 2021, we took the first, very important step in our climate work with the climate assessment we did as a pilot project at Proton Finishing Forsheda. The lessons learned from this will serve as the foundation for the climate calculations at all of Proton Finishing’s operations in 2022.
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Emissions of carbon dioxide from our operations make up the lion’s share of our negative environmental impact, but this also makes it the area where we have the greatest opportunity to make the most changes. The energy transition is an extensive challenge, which is why we will be conducting climate calculations for the entire group. In the business areas Proton Engineering, Proton Finishing and Proton Lighting, we will also do energy measurements for lines and machines. At group level we will implement guidelines for sustainable investments and climate compensation. Our climate calculation at Proton Finishing Forsheda shows that we need to make ourselves independent of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), which is responsible for a large portion of our emissions. Currently LPG is used at Proton Finishing in Eskilstuna as well as in Forsheda. As part of the energy transition, Proton Finishing will also look into installing solar power at its facilities. The aim is also to install charging stations for electric cars at all of the group’s units.
Key figures
CO2 FOOTPRINT (CLIMATE NEUTRALITY)
CO2 footprint, emissions per work hour.
GOAL FOR 2035 OUTCOME IN 2021
0 6.7
kg CO2 per work hour (Scope 1 and 2) kg CO2 per work hour (Scope 1 and 2)*
* Not including business area Proton Edge
ENERGY
Energy, purchased per work hour.
GOAL FOR 2035 OUTCOME 2021 (STARTING FIGURE)
-40% 68
purchased kWh per work hour purchased kWh per work hour
Local footprint
We want to contribute to a better use of resources by reducing our use of materials and preventing, reducing, reusing and recycling our waste. We also work to handle chemicals responsibly to reduce negative consequences to human health and to the environment.
OUR OBJECTIVE
Waste. Our goal is to have operations that by 2035 do not generate any waste that is sent to landfill or energy recovery. Instead, we will be able to recover materials, recycle, reuse or eliminate the waste. Candidate chemicals. Our goal is that no listed substances will be included in the chemical products we use or in the products we sell as of 2035. Company cars. Our goal is that all purchased company cars will be of the highest environmental class by 2025.
GOVERNANCE AND MONITORING
This work is governed by our policy documents: Sustainability Policy and Environmental Policy and through our management system. The group CEO and the business area managers are ultimately responsible and each manager is responsible for the work at their own level of the organisation. For a monitoring tool, we use key figures that are monitored annually, with the aim of doing so at shorter intervals. Governance also occurs through checks and inspections regarding various environmental permits from authorities.
COMPLETED ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
A large proportion of the activities that have been carried out up to now have been done in the framework of Proton Finishing. This is in part because Proton Finishing works intensively with chemicals, and also because the company very actively pursues change measures with the aim of transforming the entire industry. These measures include soil remediation of a previously owned, now divested property in Markaryd, renovated water treatment plants and improved management of processes and water treatment plants. Investments in membrane technology in the plating bath in Forsheda has resulted in a more efficient process that uses fewer resources and generates less waste. Proton Lighting has reduced its use of water in its paint shop and reduced the amount of particles in its outgoing air.
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
The major risks in the focus area are linked to chemical handling in the Proton Finishing businesses, and to some degree also Proton Lighting and Proton Engineering. We have made some progress here in creating even more efficient processes and governance. Among other things, we will inventory our use of listed substances in these three business areas. One major challenge is finding circular solutions to our material management; the first step will be to do sample analyses in the combustibles receptacles with environment and sorting. This project will initially focus on Proton Finishing and Proton Technology. To create change, it is important to work sustainably and to continuously carry out projects that carry us forward. One example is the improvement planned at Proton Finishing to establish a process with only passivation for zinc castings, which means fewer process steps and less use of resources, resulting in less waste. The group’s policy on the use of company cars was adjusted in 2022 with new terms to increase the proportion of electric cars and plug-in hybrids.
