Can you discuss your or your company’s efforts relating to renewability, sustainability, or other environmentally friendly activities? 

Absolutely, sustainability is core for both me and my company. We have implemented a range of initiatives to reduce our environmental footprint. Our purpose is to make the shift and advance the world through engineering. We have a unique contribution to make in helping to create a net-zero, circular, and regenerative world. We aim to be a positive force in shaping the industries of the future, utilising our skills to address the significant challenges of our time. 

In each of our businesses and value chains, we have the opportunity to drive the progress needed by innovating sustainable solutions, collaborating with our customers and suppliers, and embedding responsibility and transparency at every level. 

Additionally, we have embraced sustainable sourcing practices in our supply chain and continually seek opportunities to support and engage in environmentally friendly activities within our community. It is an ongoing commitment, and we take pride in contributing to a greener future. 

Sandvik, in collaboration with our clients, is diligently working towards transitioning the mining industry to renewable energy and introducing innovative battery-electric equipment.

Why are in-house lawyers well-placed to drive change in their organisations?

Legal professionals wield unique influence in driving transformative change within their organisations. Our participation is key during the evaluation and management of legal risks since, based on our opinion, many of the decisions made by senior executives determine the direction of the company. Thus, we have an obligation to go beyond the conventional scope of legal risk management. We have an obligation to approach our advice, negotiations, and analysis with a human approach, conscious of sustainability, and ethical considerations. In this way, we contribute to greater social awareness of these crucial issues, promoting the long-term goal of creating more socially responsible communities and allies.

Our impact transcends the corporate realm. With a broader vision, we contribute to enabling business profitability by encompassing more than just legal acumen. We enrich both the organisational landscape and the communities we serve.

It can be challenging to measure a company’s track record in environmentally friendly behaviour. What, in your opinion, has mostly been missed in discussions about how green a company is?

In my opinion, one aspect often overlooked in discussions about a company’s “green” efforts is the integration of sustainability into its overall corporate strategy. It is not just about isolated initiatives to meet fancy international standards appearing green, but genuinely embracing sustainable practices that align with the company’s long-term vision. It is about weaving sustainability into the company’s mission and values in such a way that these efforts become really part of employees’ ways of approaching business, like safety has become a standard in many industries. Additionally, it involves enhancing the value chain for the end consumer by responsibly managing the entire lifecycle of your products and conducting business with suppliers and partners who align with your sustainability efforts.