Sustainability
Sustainability
Focusing on sustainable operations is essential for competitiveness and sustainable growth. A transition is underway, with legislation evolving, reporting obligations increasing, and the impact on access to finance growing. Sustainability is becoming the norm for everyone.
Corporate sustainability efforts and skills development in the Raahe region are supported through projects, with the lessons learned also being integrated into basic services. This work also means continuous improvement for our operations in Raahe Region Development and Visit Raahe.
What does sustainability mean for companies and organizations?
Sustainable operation by companies and organizations is ethical, supports sustainable development, causes as little harm to the environment as possible, respects and cares for people, complies with good governance practices, and ensures financial sustainability.
When talking about sustainability, the acronym ESG is often used, which divides sustainability into three areas.
- E = Environmental: impacts on nature, climate, natural resources, and ecosystems; measuring, assessing, and systematically reducing environmental impacts in one's own operations
- S = Social: consideration and promotion of statutory human rights, good working conditions, equality, competence, and well-being throughout the value chain
- G = Governance (good governance and economy): incorporating sustainability into the organization's structures, decision-making processes, and practices starting from the strategy level, with economic sustainability as the basis for all activities
Sustainability communication makes activities visible, builds trust, and strengthens commitment. The Green Claims Directive aims to improve consumer protection and ensure that sustainability claims are based on facts. The directive will lead to a reform of the Consumer Protection Act in Finland in the fall of 2026.
Tools for corporate sustainability
You can get started with sustainability work and deepen your expertise with the help of practical tools produced in projects. Companies have participated in the development and testing of tools in workshops and coaching sessions.
The free tools include a sustainability test and guides for drawing up a sustainability plan and starting sustainability reporting. There are also numerous calculators available for measuring carbon footprints, which can be used in various industries to assess and monitor environmental impacts.
You can find the tools and calculators, as well as experiences of local companies in the Raahe region regarding sustainability work, on the Finnish page. Some of the calculators are available in English.
Raahe Region Development’s Sustainability Plan 2026
The entire personnel has taken part in the drafting of the sustainability plan. The purpose of the plan is to clarify and strengthen operations so that customers receive increasingly better services and the results of regional development are even more impactful.
The UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda) aims to eradicate extreme poverty and achieve sustainable development that takes equal account of the environment, the economy, and people.
There are a total of 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), of which the most relevant to the Raahe Region Development’s operations and the vitality of the region are:
- 8 – Decent work and economic growth
- 9 – Industry, innovation and infrastructure
- 11 – Sustainable cities and communities
- 17 – Partnerships for the goals
Read more about Global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
We share the common values of the City of Raahe’s strategy: boldness, sustainability, equality, and community spirit. We are an approachable, reliable, impartial, and professional operator.
These values are visible in our everyday work and are transmitted to our customers and partners:
- Boldness – We seek new solutions and dare to challenge thinking for the benefit of the region and businesses. We operate innovatively, in a business-oriented manner and with the big picture in mind – even when the right solution is to say no.
- Sustainability – We make sensible long-term decisions and use resources wisely. We always act confidentially, fairly, and in accordance with the law – and we develop our expertise to support companies in the best possible way.
- Equality – We serve all companies and aspiring entrepreneurs equally. Our operations are impartial, honest, and transparent – we make decisions based on facts and stick to our agreements.
- Community spirit – We actively build networks and bring people together. We create opportunities and encounters that lead to cooperation, new ideas, and opportunities. We are easily accessible and present in the everyday life of companies.
The key identified development needs and priorities requiring measures to improve services, increase effectiveness, and support our own operations are:
- Implementation of strategy and values: common goals, indicators, operating methods, and transparent monitoring
- Strengthening communication: internally and externally, making services, strategy, and operations visible
- Well-being of personnel and functioning of the work community: clear structures, support for coping, community spirit, and workload balance
- Environmental sustainability: expertise related to the environment, circular economy, and clean energy, as well as reducing emissions, resource efficiency, minimizing waste, and improving accessibility
By developing sustainable operations, we want to achieve impressive results that are visible not only within our own organization but also to our customers and partners, as well as in the growth of the region's vitality. Our vision for the future is set for the year 2035.
- Strategic and consistent Raahe Region Development: The strategy is clearly visible in everyday work, decision-making, and service planning. The objectives, roles, and responsibilities are clear and shared, and the activities are proactive, long-term, and systematic. Strategic action ensures the continuity and consistency of services and strengthens the organization's role in building the vitality of the region.
- Companies in the Raahe region at the forefront of sustainability: The Raahe region is Finland's most sustainable business area, where expertise has been transformed into a concrete competitive advantage. The use of green financing is on the rise, and investments in clean transition are bringing new projects and business to the region. Raahe Region Development acts as an active enabler and supporter, with sustainability driving the region's growth.
- A thriving and skilled workforce: Raahe Region Development is known for its thriving, skilled, and committed workforce. Well-being, work quality, and efficiency are in balance, and tacit knowledge has been transformed into visible and shared expertise. Clear processes and effective cooperation support smooth everyday operations and strengthen the continuity of activities.
- A well-known and respected actor: Raahe Region Development is a respected actor both regionally and nationally. High-quality services, up-to-date expertise, and bold new cooperation models reinforce its reputation as a reliable and innovative development partner. The organization is an active operator in networks and is strongly visible as a promoter of vitality.
- Innovative and experimental operating culture: Raahe Region Development has a strong culture of experimentation, where new solutions are developed in an open-minded and customer-oriented manner. The organization seizes opportunities with agility, utilizes service design, and builds new types of partnerships that generate innovation and investment to strengthen the vitality of the region.
- Strong sense of community and team spirit: Raahe Region Development is a community-based, collaborative organization where open communication, cooperation, and mutual support are the cornerstones of everyday life. A shared direction and effective dialogue strengthen both well-being at work and the quality of services, and this good team spirit is directly reflected in the services provided to companies.
The compilation of tools, articles, and blogs, as well as the sustainability plan, were created as part of the VATUPASSI project.
VATUPASSI – Responsible Future project (in Finnish) Main implementer: Kerttu Saalasti Institute, University of Oulu; co-implementers: City of Kalajoki, Nivala-Haapajärvi region NIHAK ry, and City of Ylivieska. The project is co-funded by the European Union (ESR+) and the funding has been granted by the North Ostrobothnia Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment. Other funders include Raahe Region Development and the Kerttu Saalasti Foundation. Project implementation period: October 1, 2023–March 31, 2026.