Governance of sustainability work
Group Management owns Systemair's sustainability strategy and is responsible for setting its priorities, and its progress, to ensure that initiatives are aligned with Systemair's overall strategy and the material interests of its stakeholders. The Sustainability Director coordinates, supports and develops the Group's sustainability strategy, targets and plans.
The sustainability strategy consists of four focus areas, each comprising three core issues. All core issues have an owner in Group Management. The person most closely linked to the core issue is assigned as responsible to oversee development and progress.
The core issues are assigned appropriate indicators and, in most cases, a set target to enable us to monitor where we stand. A development plan is updated annually to summarise the key activities needed for progress. This is monitored regularly, with data on multiple metrics collected quarterly from each subsidiary, creating a clear and frequent overview of progress. Quarterly and annual reporting is handled via dedicated software to ensure accurate data and ease of analysing and breaking down specific metrics. The quarterly and annually reported data are fed back in a report to the CEO of each subsidiary. Systemair's progress in our focus areas is reported to the Board once a year and each subsidiary's business board reviews the company's status and progress on the core issues 2–3 times a year.
The necessary policies and guidelines for each core issue are developed, reviewed and updated at least annually to ensure that our position on key sustainability issues is clear throughout the Group, and is then communicated via the necessary channels and made available in Systemair's global management system.
Our internal sustainability control environment includes follow-up by the Group's sustainability function and production-related core issues are followed up by our production committee, the Group's central production development organisation. Reviews encompass health and safety, environmental issues and energy use. After each review, a report is generated and followed up by the Company's management function. Systemair analyses its Company's overall risk management process to ensure that risks are identified, assessed and then managed responsibly.
Code of Conduct, policies and whistleblowing
At Systemair, policies are used as one of the tools for instilling the Company's values in its operations around the world. In sustainability work, Systemair's Code of Conduct is used as an overall policy, embracing social sustainability, the environment and climate, and business ethics. The Code of Conduct is reviewed once a year and is subject to approval by the Company's Board of Directors. All employees must complete our online training but where this is not possible the content of the Code of Conduct must be communicated to them by other means.
In addition to the Company's Code of Conduct, several additional policies apply with more detailed guidance in specific areas. In business ethics, Systemair operates an anti-corruption policy, a tax policy, a responsible sourcing policy and a responsible sales policy. A specific policy governing health and safety is in place, as well as one for the environment, emissions and energy, and one for developing sustainable products. Through well-defined policies, we seek to ensure that our operations are conducted in an ethical and sustainable manner, while minimising the risk of irregularities and making a contribution to a positive impact on society and the environment.
Systemair operates a whistleblowing system that offers a means of anonymously reporting deviations and inappropriate behaviour. This system provides a channel for employees to make complaints without fear of reprisals. The system is intended to promote a culture of transparency and accountability within the organisation. Reports are received and investigated by an external party to ensure objectivity and impartiality. Cases are then referred to the Audit Committee, which also serves as Systemair's Whistleblowing Committee.