Sustainability at Bittium

Bittium is a global technology company whose sustainability is reflected in its operations, products, product life cycles, supply chains and the way the company creates value for the surrounding society. The sustainability is based on Bittium´s strategy and values, and it is part of the company culture.

Sustainability Management

The Board of Directors of Bittium Corporation discusses sustainability issues on the basis of the Management Group´s proposals, and the Audit Committee discusses and prepares sustainability-related matters as needed.

The Management Group discusses sustainability issues, monitors the effectiveness of sustainability measures and sets sustainability targets in its twice-yearly management review. The Management Group is also responsible for implementing sustainability plans and actions in day-to-day operations.

Focus Areas in Sustainability

For the first time we identified the material aspects of sustainability in our operations in 2017. At the time, we defined the material aspects of sustainability with respect to Bittium´s strategy as follows: innovative and developing people; confidential customer relationships and secure products; and corporate citizenship and sustainable business practices.

Materiality Analysis

We conducted a materiality analysis on sustainability in 2019. The aim of the analysis was to establish an understanding of our stakeholders´ views regarding our previously selected focus areas in sustainability. To support the materiality analysis, we carried out a stakeholder survey in the form of an online questionnaire for customers, partners, investors, employees, the management and other stakeholders. A total of 125 people completed the survey.

In our materiality analysis, we assessed the significance of Bittium´s selected focus areas of sustainability to the company´s business and evaluated the content of each focus area to assess the company´s performance in taking each focus area into consideration. We also assessed whether there were any other areas of sustainability that were previously not included in Bittium´s selected focus areas and that the company should take into consideration.

To increase our understanding of our stakeholders´ perceptions of Bittium´s sustainability, we asked the respondents to compare Bittium with other companies from the perspective of sustainability. Bittium´s average score was 8.3 on a scale of 1–10.

We also asked the participants to indicate their willingness to recommend Bittium as a sustainable company to determine our Net Promoter Score (NPS) for sustainability. The stakeholders gave Bittium´s sustainability an NPS of 37, which can be considered to be a good score. NPS scores range from -100 to +100, and all scores above 0 are considered good.

After establishing the priorities of the identified material aspects, the final outcome of the analysis was a materiality matrix confirmed by the Management Group and the Board of Directors. The matrix summarizes the views of the company´s internal and external stakeholders regarding Bittium´s material aspects of sustainability as well as the company´s impacts and areas of development. After the priorities had been determined, the materiality matrix was approved in discussions held between Bittium´s Board of Directors and the Board´s Audit Committee.

As a result of the materiality analysis, we updated our focus areas of sustainability and created Bittium´s sustainability program for 2020–2022.

 

#1 Innovative and Developing People

We promote an open, equal and diverse working culture. We take care of the well-being of our employees. We invest in the development of competencies and leadership skills.

#2 Trust-Based Customer Relationships and Secure Products

We meet the special sectorspecific and technological requirements of our customers (quality and security). We invest in innovative and agile product development. We ensure the sustainabilityof our supply chain.

#3 Corporate Citizenship and Sustainable Business Practices

We engage in open dialogue with our stakeholders and support the local communities in which we operate. We conform to sustainable business practices. We create added value for our stakeholders through profitable and sustainable business operations.

#4 Environmental Responsibility

In accordance with the objectives set out in our environmental program,we strive to minimize the environmental impacts of our operations. We aim to optimize the service life and recyclability of our products.

Environmental responsibility was selected as a new focus area based on the stakeholder survey.

 

We monitor the progress of each focus area using selected indicators in accordance with our sustainability program and continuously develop our operations and performance.

The most important resources of our business are highly competent people, a diverse work community free of discrimination and taking care of employee well-being and competence. We offer our employees challenging and motivating work and are committed to supporting their development and investing in their well-being.

We are a reliable operator for all of our stakeholders. Our stakeholder engagement is guided by good corporate governance as well as our ethical principles and Code of Conduct. In customer relationships, sustainability is reflected in the way we work, the quality of our products and the trust that characterizes our customer relationships. Trust is the starting point for Bittium´s operations.

Sustainable business practices are a cornerstone of our operations. It provides a solid foundation for risk management and represents a core value as well as a competitive advantage for us. Sustainability helps us with long-term value creation.

Responsibility for the environment, the mitigation of climate change and resource-efficient solutions is a key aspect of our operations and their development. By maximizing the service life and recyclability of our products, we can influence their total life cycle impact. We also strive to minimize the environmental impacts of our operations. We monitor our performance through our environmental program.

Alignment with the UN´s Sustainable Development Goals

We have evaluated the themes associated with the focus areas of our sustainability with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and identified goals that we are already taking into consideration and promoting in our operations. Based on our selected focus areas of sustainability, the following UN SDGs are of particular relevance to us:

  • 3 Good health and well-being
  • 8 Decent work and economic growth
  • 9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure
  • 12 Responsible consumption and production
  • 16 Peace, justice and strong institutions
  • 17 Partnerships for the goals

 

Sustainability Program 2020–2022

Bittium´s sustainability program is based on the materiality analysis conducted in 2019 and the company´s redefined focus areas of sustainability. The program is based on sustainability targets and actions as well as related performance indicators. The targets have been grouped according to the focus areas.

The achievement of the targets specified in the sustainability program are monitored annually against various performance indicators. Progress with the program and toward the targets is reported annually in Bittium´s sustainability report.