From words to action

In the Sustainability Report for 2023, we share the concrete steps we have taken to realise our vision – Building a more sustainable society. This report demonstrates that sustainability issues are an integrated part of our business strategy, highlighting that we have made important decisions to really make a difference. It concerns, among other things, minimizing the risks in the supply chain and promoting increased competence among our employees.

Ahlsell´s focus and priorities in its sustainability work are based on, among other things, Agenda 2030 and the global sustainability goals.

To assume responsibility for the climate impact of our operations, Ahlsell has set science-based climate goals in line with the goals in the Paris Agreement. In 2024, the goals have been validated and approved by experts from the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

This approval means that our targets are ambitious and designed in line with the latest climate science, and in accordance with the Paris Agreement and limiting global warming to a level that significantly would reduce the risks and impacts of climate change.

Long-term target and overall Net-Zero Target:
Ahlsell AB commits to reduce absolute scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions 90% by 2045 from a 2022 base year, and to neutralize any residual emissions to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by 2045.

Near-Term Targets:
Ahlsell AB commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 75% by 2030 from a 2022 base year. Ahlsell AB also commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 42% within the same timeframe.

The illustration shows the distribution of Ahlsell’s climate impact between Scopes 1, 2 and 3 in accordance with the GHG Protocol, based on the climate survey that was conducted with 2022 as base year.

Scope 1 includes emissions from what Ahlsell directly controls (e.g., our company cars and on-site fuel use).

Scope 2 includes emissions from the energy Ahlsell purchases, such as electricity, heating and cooling.

Scope 3 covers missions from everything else in Ahlsell’s value chain, for example from waste and business travel, but most emissions are connected to the products we sell. For example, scope 3 includes emissions from our suppliers during production and emissions from the use-phase of our sold products.

Biggest environmental impact in the product chain
Running our operations within the planet’s limits requires both more and faster improvement measures, as well as new, innovative solutions and far-reaching transformations. In terms of our whole value chain, most of the climate and environmental impact comes from the manufacturing and use of the products we sell. Ahlsell’s climate and environmental work encompasses the entire value chain, with goals and measures for significant areas regarding our impact, authority and ability to make a difference. Dialogue and collaboration are also important elements of this work. One priority area is to help our customers with sustainability information for our products.

Together with customers and suppliers, we strive for sustainable business development, with a focus on quality, resource efficiency, and circularity in our offering. It is about innovative product development, material selection, and product-specific climate data, as well as complementary services.

Strategic goals for sustainable business
Sustainable business development is a priority area in Ahlsell’s updated sustainability strategy. The overarching, measurable goal is to gradually increase the proportion of sales from more sustainable products and services.

We strive for, over time, to produce options that are better for the climate and the environment than customers’ first choices, and developing more offerings featuring repair, spare parts, reuse and other services that extend the useful life of products and save resources.

Strict demands on product quality
The fact that our products work and last as they should is the foundation of a more sustainable business. Our customers should feel confident that the products they buy from Ahlsell are of good quality and safe to use.

Environmentally approved products
Ahlsell offers a large number of environmentally approved products in accordance with standards including the Swedish Building Materials Assessment and The Nordic Swan Ecolabel. Environmental approval makes it easier for construction and property customers to choose building materials based on environmental and health aspects, and is also necessary in order to be able to environmentally certify buildings in accordance with the BREEAM, Miljöbyggnad and LEED systems.

Our purchasing and supplier relationships are characterised by responsibility and respect for people, the environment and society throughout the production chain. We require our suppliers and partners to comply with the same ethical and social standards as we require of ourselves.

Goal: Zero unmanaged high risks
We have formulated the overarching goal that Ahlsell shall not have any unmanaged high risks in the supply chain. We define high risk as a supplier in a geographical area or in an industry associated with major sustainability risks, where the risks have not been evaluated and managed by Ahlsell or by our partners.

Code of Conduct part of the agreement terms
The Code of Conduct forms part of our supplier agreements. In addition to the Code itself, which includes requirements concerning business ethics, human rights and working conditions, as well as the environment and quality, there is a supplementary guide that specifies the expectations we have of the supplier’s sustainability work and how the supplier can integrate these into their work

Three different purchasing flows
Ahlsell has three main purchasing flows: goods from suppliers for resale to customers, private label products for resale to customers and indirect materials and services, i.e. what we need to keep our internal operations running. The purchasing processes, and thus also the processes for requirements and follow-up concerning sustainability, are different for these flows, but the goal is the same: Zero unmanaged high risks.

In combination with an attractive offering, it is the skills and service-mindedness of our employees that make Ahlsell a value-adding company in a changing world. A healthy and safe work environment, an inclusive culture and ongoing investments in leadership and skills development are important elements in ensuring that every employee can grow with us.

People & Culture Strategy
Our work to be an attractive, developmental workplace is based on an ambitious overarching goal: “The best time in your working life”. The strategic work focuses on four areas: Attract, Develop, Diversity and Inclusion, and Improve/Innovation.

With our core values as a guiding star
Ahlsell’s core values are a living tool in our day-to-day work. Our values – Accountability, Openness, Simplicity – provide guidance in decision-making and in shaping the attitudes we have towards each other, our customers and our business partners. Our core values are included in the induction of new employees.

High level of employee engagement
In our annual employee survey, we measure engagement, leadership, organisational development and the perception of the corporate culture. In the 2023 survey, Ahlsell continues to receive generally high ratings from employees, and the result is relatively uniform between different teams and parts of the business. The Engagement Index 76 (75) and the Leadership Index 83 (81) surpass our goals and show that our active work on leadership issues has yielded results.

* The eNPS, employee net promoter score, is measured on a scale of -100 to +100. The eNPS is influenced by many factors and varies between different industries and countries; a result above +30is generally considered very good.