Agenda 2030: Our commitment to sustainable development

At NIBE, we have been manufacturing energy-efficient, sustainable solutions for your home for over 70 years. During this time, the need to protect our natural environment and the people that inhabit our planet has strengthened. This is why we continue to harness the power of nature, combining renewable energy with smart technology to contribute towards a more sustainable future. 

The time for action is now. One way we are doing our bit is through our support of Agenda 2030, which aims to create long-term sustainable development. Here, in this article, we take a look at what Agenda 2030 entails, the 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development, and which of these goals we have chosen to work with.  

What is Agenda 2030? 

Agenda 2030 is a plan of action for people, the planet, and prosperity. It aims to tackle the most pressing global challenges of our time, including: 

• Eradicating extreme poverty 
• Putting an end to hunger 
• Protecting the environment 
• Breaking down gender barriers and discrimination 

The goals set out in the Agenda were agreed by 193 member states of the United Nations in September 2015 and apply to every country involved. Acting as part of a collaborative partnership, all countries and stakeholders hope to secure a sustainable future for our planet.  

Currently, this Agenda is running until 2030, however, our commitment to tackling key economic, social, and environmental issues will continue way beyond this date as the Agenda evolves. 

What are the 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development? 

At the heart of Agenda 2030 is the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action for all the countries involved in this global partnership. These goals recognise the importance of improving health and education, reducing inequality, and boosting economic growth. All while tackling climate change and the negative impact we are having on the planet. 

The 17 SDGs include: 

1. No poverty – End poverty in all its forms. 
2. Zero hunger – End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.  
3. Good health and well-being – Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for people of all ages. 
4. Quality education – Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong opportunities.  
5. Gender equality – Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. 
6. Clean water and sanitation – Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation. 
7. Affordable and clean energy – Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy. 
8. Decent work and economic growth – Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.  
9. Industry, innovation, and infrastructure – Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation. 
10. Reduced inequalities – Reduce inequality across every country involved. 
11. Sustainable cities and communities – Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. 
12. Responsible consumption and production – Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. 
13. Climate action – Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. 
14. Life below water – Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.  
15. Life on land – Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss.  
16. Peace, justice, and strong institutions – Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.  
17. Partnerships for the goals – Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development. 

How does NIBE support Agenda 2030? 

We take our commitment to the environment seriously, which is why we are fully supportive of the United Nations’ plans under Agenda 2030. As a business, we wanted to ensure we were doing our bit in contributing to the 17 SDGs – focusing on the goals that are most relevant to what we do here at NIBE. 

Since 2015, we have been committed to following six of the 17 global goals that we have outlined above. We have chosen these six goals to focus on, as we believe we can make a genuine difference and make a valid contribution.  

The six SDGs we have primarily worked with include: 

7. Affordable and clean energy. We have worked tirelessly to increase the proportion of products based on renewable energy and meet the market’s need for energy-efficient and clean energy solutions. Our heat pumps and solar products deliver on this promise. 

8. Decent work and economic growth. We constantly promote a safe and secure working environment. This involves protecting workers’ rights and ensuring decent working conditions in both their own activities and in the supply chain, along with protecting jobs and growth. 

9. Industry, innovation, and infrastructure. At NIBE, we have made our production more sustainable by using resources efficiently. We achieve this by using clean and eco-friendly technologies, and providing resources for research and development.  

11. Sustainable cities and communities. We provide resource-efficient and climate-adapted components, products, and solutions that contribute to sustainable cities and secure infrastructure. 

12. Responsible consumption and production. We apply sustainable methods of chemical management and reduce emissions to air, water, and soil. We also economise resources, minimise waste, recycle, and reuse more. All of our sustainability information is transparently recorded in our reporting cycle. 

16. Peace, justice, and strong institutions. We always ensure we respect and maintain national and cross-border legislation, and actively work against all forms of corruption. We create systems for internal control of compliance with legislation and ethical business principles. 

Moving forward, we will continue to have these Global Goals for Sustainable Development at the forefront of everything we do as a business. When you choose to partner with us, you’re investing in environmentally-friendly products that will reduce your carbon footprint and help to create a fairer, safer world for us all to live in. 

With NIBE, you can rest assured knowing you’re investing in an environmentally conscious business that is constantly looking to develop its sustainable best practices and contribute towards creating a greener future.