Sustainability Focus Areas

A sustainable world for people and the environment forms the foundation of GTK’s strategy. The vision guiding our work is to identify solutions that offer more sustainable choices for the environment, people, and the economy, to benefit us and our planet.

In line with the vision, GTK aims to make choices that create positive impacts or reduce negative effects on the environment, people, and the economy. To support this vision, we have defined GTK’s key sustainability focus areas and their objectives.

We are committed to promoting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs, Agenda 2030) through our operations. Of these, we have identified five goals as most material where our research can make the greatest difference. Each year, we report on progress toward our sustainability objectives in GTK’s Sustainability Report.

GTK is a non-business participant of the UN Global Compact initiative. As a non-business participant, we support and encourage companies to operate in accordance with the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact. We are committed to complying with national and international laws, regulations and agreements related to labour rights, anti-corruption and human rights. We implement these principles in our international activities as well. We report on our actions to promote the Ten Principles of UN Global Compact every two years.

We support UN Global Compact

Research to serve society and customers

We work both in Finland and internationally together with our partners. Our expertise is highly valued worldwide. We provide cutting edge, research-based knowledge, train local experts, develop solutions, and integrate interdisciplinary expertise and methods with our partners.

  • Our research generates impact and supports a sustainable, carbon neutral world
  • Through research and innovation, we help our customers succeed
  • We provide knowledge to support evidence-based decision making

Human-focused working life

One of the objectives of our 2024–2027 strategy period is to strengthen a human focused working life. We want to place greater emphasis on people and their wellbeing, recognising these as essential prerequisites for meaningful and effective work. Our principles related to personnel, equality, and non-discrimination are presented in our Non-Discrimination and Gender Equality Plan.

  • Our work community is diverse and promotes well-being and equality
  • We nurture and develop high level of expertise
  • We prioritise occupational safety in all our activities

Responsible way of working

Our ways of working form the ethical and sustainable foundation of all our activities. The principles and goals guiding our conduct are described in our Code of Conduct. The principles and objectives of environmentally sustainable operations are outlined in GTK’s Environmental Policy.

  • We operate in an ethical and economically sustainable manner
  • Our value chain and procurement practices are sustainable
  • We work to reduce the negative environmental impacts and direct climate emissions of our operations