Measuring progress
At Atlas Copco, we are committed to being part of the solution for a better tomorrow. This means innovating with a long-term perspective to empower our customers to drive society forward. It means minimizing the environmental impact from our operations and products. It means making sure our employees are safe and healthy and that our company stays lean and efficient. We also want to live up to the highest ethical standards, with zero tolerance for corruption throughout the value chain.
To deliver lasting value for all stakeholders, we focus on the following areas for sustainability: products and service, people, safety and well-being, ethics, and the environment. We regards these areas, along with profitability and growth, as necessary to achieve long-term success. Progress in relation to the targets set in these areas is part of the variable compensation for the Executive Management as well as other employees.
Our focus areas for sustainable growth
Our goals, targets and results
Focus area |
Goal |
Target |
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
People |
The degree to which Atlas Copco employees agree there is opportunity to learn and grow should be higher than the global benchmark and continuously increase. (1) | Above global benchmark; continuous increase | n/a* | 71 | n/a** |
| The degree to which Atlas Copco employees agree we have a work culture of respect, fairness and openness should be higher than the global benchmark and continuously increase. (1) | Above global benchmark; continuous increase | n/a* | 74 | n/a** | |
| An improved gender balance. | 30% women by 2030 | 20% | 19.8% | 19.1% | |
Ethics |
Employees sign the Business Code of Practice. | 100% annually | 99% | 98% | n/a** |
| Employees are trained in the Business Code of Practice. | 100% annually | 99% | 94% | n/a** | |
| Managers in risk countries lead trainings in the Business Code of Practice. | 100% annually | 99% | 91% | n/a** | |
| Significant suppliers sign the Business Code of Practice. | 100% annually | 93% | 90% | 86% | |
| Significant distributors sign the Business Code of Practice. | 100% annually | 84% | 59% | n/a** | |
Products & Service |
Projects for new or redesigned products have clear and specific targets set for reduced carbon impact. | 100% by 2021 | n/a**** |
n/a**** | n/a**** |
| Projects for new and redesigned products achieve significant carbon reduction. | Each division sets a target | n/a*** | n/a*** | n/a*** | |
Safety & well-being |
The degree to which Atlas Copco employees agree that the company takes a genuine interest in employees’ well-being should continuously increase. (1) | Continuous increase | n/a* | 69 | n/a** |
| A balanced safety pyramid, meaning that more near misses than minor injuries, and more minor injuries than recordable injuries are reported. | Near miss > minor injury. Minor injury > recordable injury | yes | yes | n/a** | |
The Environment |
Reduced CO2 emissions from energy in operations and transport (tonnes) in relation to cost of sales. Base year: 2018. | 50% by 2030 | 3.8 | 4.3 | 5.3 |
| Reduced waste (kg) in relation to cost of sales. | Continuous reduction | 581 | 597 | 667 | |
| Reduced water consumption (m3) in relation to cost of sales. | Continuous reduction | 7.2 | 7.2 | 8.7 | |
| An increase in significant direct suppliers with an approved environmental management system. | Continuous increase | 30% | 28% | n/a** |
For full details, visit the Annual Report.
Contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are a call for action to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. They recognize that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and address a range of social needs, while tackling climate change and environmental protection. Atlas Copco endorses all the SDGs and directly contributes to seven of the 17 goals in particular:
Gender equality
Increasing diversity and ensuring inclusion
Atlas Copco promotes inclusion and diversity and strives to improve gender balance at all levels in the Group. The percentage of women in the organization was 19.8% at year end. The President and CEO has established and chairs a Diversity and Inclusion Council and the business areas and divisions have established its own related task forces.
Clean water
Working to reduce water consumption
Atlas Copco entities carry out local activities targeting water consumption. In 2019, the consumption of water in relation to cost of sales decreased by 17%. Since 1984 Atlas Copco has supported the employee-driven initiative “Water for All”. Since its start more than 2 million people have gained access to clean water and improved sanitation.
Affordable and clean energy
Reducing CO2 emissions from our operations and transport
Atlas Copco undertakes a range of activities to reduce CO2 emissions from energy in operations and transport of goods, such as installing solar panels, buying renewable electricity and avoiding air freight. In 2019, CO2 emissions from energy in operations and transport of goods in relation to cost of sales decreased by 19%.
Decent work and economic growth
Focusing on ethics, safety and well-being – for employees and business partners
Atlas Copco requires all business partners to comply with the Business Code of Practice. Child labor or forced labor is not tolerated and compliance is assessed and audited. Atlas Copco ensures the right to collective bargaining and expects the same of our business partners. In 2019, 90% of our significant suppliers confirmed their commitment to our Business Code of Practice. In 2019, Atlas Copco’s safety pyramid was balanced, meaning a reporting of more near misses than minor injuries and more minor injuries than recordable (major) injuries.
Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Continuously increasing the energy efficiency of products and service.
Energy efficiency in our products and service is a key selling point for Atlas Copco. The main environmental impact is in our customers’ use of our products. All projects for new and redesigned products must assess the environmental impact of the product. Products are developed with a life-cycle perspective.
Responsible consumption and production
Making production as efficient as possible and reducing waste
Atlas Copco seeks to decrease the total waste produced. Chemical handling follows strict protocols. Components that contain conflict minerals are not accepted and Atlas Copco monitors and screens its supply chain.
Peace, justice and strong institutions
Zero tolerance for corruption
This is clearly communicated in our Business Code of Practice. Atlas Copco requires all employees to sign their compliance with our code of conduct and to take annual trainings in how to handle ethical dilemmas. Business partners are expected to confirm their compliance with criteria based on our Business Code of Practice.
