Sustainable businesses
Think green: you’d be in good company.
In Sweden, environmental care is everyone’s responsibility. It makes good business sense.
Environmental programs are already well integrated into business practice in Sweden. Companies back up their social and environmental awareness with real actions, and work towards strictly defined goals to limit emissions, energy consumption and waste. As EU regulations become more stringent, Swedish companies have already taken the necessary steps to meet and exceed these new standards.
Swedish society and its citizens are leading proponents in the urgent drive towards sustainable economies: Swedes recycle more than any other European nation. Stockholm was the first European city to be designated European Green Capital 2010 by the EU Commission.
Although government policy makes a big difference, environmental care comes down to the actions of individuals. Making each employee’s actions count will require innovation, inspiration, and probably a few incentives. And guess what? In the end, businesses and people alike will profit, in terms of health as well as wealth.
Example from the corporate world
Anticipating a significant production leap for process-scale protein purification, GE Healthcare in Uppsala knew its waste management would be challenged. The company implemented a range of environmental improvements, including a new biological reactor design that can be easily scaled up.
This responsible approach impressed the local council and the company’s employees. It also made good business sense; when the upswing came, GE was fully prepared to ramp up production.
Swedish initiative for green medicine production
The Swedish Medical Products Agency (MPA) has published a report on how environmental standards in pharmaceutical production can be sharpened within the EU. >>>
“We use pharmaceuticals to remedy humans and animals, it is paradoxical that the production greatly contributes to threatening our health”, says Charlotte Unger, Environmental Director at the MPA.
A research programme has been launched for continued research into the environmental impact of pharmaceuticals
MistraPharma, supported by the Swedish MPA, has been granted €5.7 million (SEK 52 millions) for continued research into the environmental impact of pharmaceuticals by the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research (Mistra).
Leading the world for green buildings and sustainable cities
The SymbioCity initiative is an example of a holistic Swedish strategy combining good citizenship with corporate social responsibility that aims to minimize emissions and recycle waste through smart living. SymbioCity encourages businesses and public organizations involved in recycling, heating, and water purification towards cleaner and more efficient city living.