Article
How we work with sustainability at Visma
7/12/2021
min read
Sustainability
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At the time of this interview, Robin Åkerberg worked as a Sustainability Manager at Visma. He has since moved on to become our Head of Sustainability.
What are Visma Group’s key sustainability initiatives, both at the corporate and local levels?
Visma helps customers become more efficient through digitalisation and the automation of complex processes. We also support them in improving their own sustainability efforts by, for example, providing sustainability management functionalities in our accounting and HRM tools.
We’ve noticed an increase in expectations and demands by customers, local legislations, and other stakeholders – rightfully so – for greater transparency regarding our environmental impact. So we are currently reviewing internal policies and exploring ways to strengthen Visma’s sustainability efforts, including setting clear internal goals and reporting requirements for all companies. We recognise our responsibility; reducing Visma’s environmental footprint is definitely one of our top priorities.
Internally, our Code of Conduct includes guidelines on data privacy, workplace conditions, avoiding conflicts of interest, and minimising the environmental impact of unnecessary travelling, commuting, and resource consumption. We also track employee satisfaction rates through monthly surveys as part of our social sustainability efforts.
We have diverse local sustainability initiatives in place across all of Visma. These include office recycling practices, subsidised public transportation for employees, sustainable conference venues, and providing NGOs and schools with free access to our software. We also donate pre-loved electronics, furniture, and other equipment to schools and kindergartens, ensuring that our resources are repurposed in a meaningful way.
→ Learn more about social sustainability at Visma
What is the purpose of Visma’s sustainability efforts?
Our sustainability work aims to contribute to a healthier and ultimately safer planet – both for us and for future generations. The negative environmental impact of human activity is undeniable, and we’re still far from a world of equal opportunity and justice.
For businesses, sustainability is about recognising your corporate social responsibility and managing societal and environmental impacts. Every organisation is responsible for implementing processes that address global challenges – whether environmental, such as climate change, or social, such as discrimination.
“Increasing employee engagement and awareness is a crucial part of our sustainability work. Visma has a responsibility to provide ideas on what we, both as individuals and companies, can do to be part of the solution. Joining forces and working together to tackle global challenges is absolutely essential for our people, our planet, and our profits to thrive.”
- Robin Åkerberg
What long-term impact does Visma aim to achieve through sustainability efforts?
Ideally, sustainability would be at the core of all decision-making – both at an individual and corporate level. Welfare and economic activity would be separated from the consumption of finite resources and new raw materials, with products, services, and solutions designed for a fully circular life cycle.
As humans, we are not above or separate from nature; we must recognise our complete dependence on the health of the natural world. Everyone is equally deserving of access to education, healthcare, and career opportunities, without discrimination of any kind.
Sadly, this is not yet the reality. But I am confident that it is achievable, and that Visma has a real opportunity to contribute to this. Making meaningful progress requires collaboration at both the individual and company level, and this commitment is at the heart of Visma’s sustainability efforts.
Want to learn more about how we work with sustainability?
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