Aspo's vision is to increase the company's value and expertise from one generation to the next. This is not possible without sustainability.
Sustainability can be seen in Aspo's operations at three levels: a global, social and individual level. Individual level refers to the equal treatment of all of our employees in all of our 17 operating countries, while global sustainability is particularly reflected in our environmental investments.
For example, ESL Shipping, our shipping company, has invested EUR 60 million in the world's first large LNG-fueled dry cargo vessels. The carbon dioxide emissions of the new vessels per transported cargo ton are more than 50 percent smaller than those of current vessels. While we are bearing our global responsibility, we are enabling profitable growth in the future.
In the most concrete sense, sustainable operations signify investments in the future. Similarly, investing in a company's future constitutes sustainable leadership. Only a growing company can create jobs, tax income and wellbeing. This is the best way to take care of social sustainability.
Principally, social sustainability deals with the choices made by shareholders. For example, Aspo has chosen to always pay its taxes to the country in which it has produced its specific results. We do not have any companies located outside our geographical operating area. Everything we do must be on a sustainable base. This is a value more important to us than short-sighted optimization.
We aim to be a good corporate citizen in all of our operating countries. We make sure that all of our actions are clear and transparent and withstand critical review. This serves our personnel, customers, investors and other stakeholders. When a company is open and fair, it will also be treated as fairly as possible.
When talking about sustainability, references to various agreements and reporting obligations are often made. However, sustainability is, above all, made up of actions – at all levels, ranging from large-scale environmental investments to daily choices made by individual employees.
Actions are particularly expected from companies, and that is why corporate executives should consider what they and their companies could do for the development of society.
Both companies and individuals should especially consider the consequences of their choices. What is the tax footprint of each purchase? What about their employment effects? How have product safety and recyclability been fulfilled? What kind of a society are we building through our choices?
Aspo and its businesses are considering all of these aspects in their purchases, product ranges and operating processes. Sustainability and long-term operations guide our decision-making processes. That is the best way to secure success, also in the future.
January 2016