Sustainability

Partnerships Building an
Equitable, Low-Carbon Society

We work closely with all our portfolio companies to make a positive impact on people and the planet. We believe that acting responsibly leads to better investment results and we are convinced that a sustainable approach is the right thing to do.

Highlighting 2021

2,911 organic net new hires

91% of boards have both genders

21% female board members

20% reduction in carbon intensity (tCO2e/revenue)

20,569 total carbon footprint tCO2e

Low overall physical climate risk

5% absenteeism rate

10 accident rate (#accidents / 1,000 FTE)

Norvestor Sustainability Objectives

Reduce greenhouse gases

Since 2018, Norvestor portfolio companies have reduced their total carbon footprint by 28% and halved their CO2e intensity (tCO2/revenue) on a like-for-like basis. We aim to further reduce the carbon footprint of all portfolio companies and support them in establishing decarbonisation roadmaps.
Reduce climate-related risks and capture risk-reduction opportunities

We adhere to the four pillars recommended by the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) and report annually on our progress. We look for opportunities in portfolio companies where the portfolio company can benefit from their actions in reducing climate-related risks.
Ensure diverse and inclusive workforces

We encourage inclusive work environments by embracing differences and encouraging inclusion. We commit to equal opportunities and ensure portfolio companies respect their employees’ needs and perspectives. We support portfolio companies in implementing inclusive policies and practices, fostering diverse cultures at all levels, and respecting human rights at all times
Ensure safe and attractive workplaces

We aim to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of all employees. We help to create attractive workplaces where employees feel valued and can bring out the best in themselves.
Ensure accountability and regulatory compliance

We ensure portfolio companies have well-defined and established governance processes. We provide portfolio companies with policies and procedures that go further than complying with the latest regulations and standards. We help portfolio companies create a culture of transparency and accountability, where employees can speak up and are empowered to act.
Contribute to UN Sustainable Development Goals

We aim to create a positive impact on society and the world by continually identifying ways our portfolio companies can make meaningful contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

We work continuously with our portfolio companies to improve their impact on the world and society through more sustainable business practices. We also invest in companies with innovative solutions to global challenges. It’s a partnership approach that puts people at the heart of everything we do: our team, the management and employees of companies we invest in, and their customers. Read more about our main approach below:

ESG integrated in our investment process

Pre-investment screening of all potential companies rejects those with business activities in excluded industries. We also avoid businesses with questionable ethical foundations or if we feel the Company will struggle to adopt a sustainable business model.

When we assess the attractiveness of potential investments, we look across the company’s entire value chain and how well its industry sector is aligned with a sustainable future. We examine the company’s key ESG priorities and measure how they are performing against these by conducting an ESG due diligence. We also carry out commercial, financial, legal, technical and cyber due diligence, as well as a management audit.

Promoting sustainable business practices

Once we invest in a company, we support them in creating ESG strategies that deliver a competitive advantage and act as a growth driver. We often support companies in developing innovative products and services that reduce climate gas emissions. For all companies we invest in we establish processes to systematically identify and act on opportunities to reduce carbon emissions and other negative impact, and to increase positive contributions to employees, clients, suppliers and other stakeholders of the company.

Annual ESG performance reviews of portfolio companies ensure they are continuing on the right track. ESG reporting follows internationally recognised standards and frameworks, including the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Impact Management Project, IRIS+ and the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).

Further support with integrating ESG principles is available to our portfolio companies when they collaborate informally, such as at our Knowledge Summits, full-day gatherings where portfolio company executives, the Norvestor team and our network of advisors meet to exchange ideas and experiences. These meetings of ideas encourage us to adopt best practices and to hear from experts about the latest trends and thinking on ESG, digitalisation and the changing requirements of senior finance, sales, marketing and human resources roles. The informal business network we have built over three decades constantly expands for the benefit of the growing family of Norvestor portfolio companies.

Investing in companies with innovative solutions to global challenges

Some of the companies we invest in are leaders in their sectors, in the use of technology and innovative processes that can have a tremendous positive impact on people and the planet. This includes businesses with well-proven circular business models, experts in the transition to green energy and companies contributing to more efficient water use, waste management and cleaner oceans. Working closely with management teams, we support these companies to continue to develop and grow.