Managing the environmental
impact of our operations

For a reduced footprint

The same principles that underpin our software—innovation, efficiency,
and a human-centred focus—also guide us in reducing the impact of our
operations.

A blonde woman with long hair and her back to the camera walks towards a gray building illuminated by sunlight.

The official logo of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #7: Affordable and clean energy.

Related SDGs

SDG Target 7.3 By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency

SDG Target 12.2 By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources

SDG Target 13.1 Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries

SDG target 13.2 Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning

The goal is a smaller footprint

An environmental footprint boils down to the resources we use, the energy we consume, and the waste we produce. Where do we get materials from and how do we use them? What do we do with them when we’re done?

Asking these questions is crucial because we live on a planet where resources are finite. Our welfare relies on a healthy natural world. Already, we see that climate change and environmental problems are affecting food, health, biodiversity and political stability around the world.

The environmental impact of a software provider might be lower than in other industries, but there are always areas we can improve. We support the global transition to a low‐carbon, resource‐efficient economy. By using the global SDGs as our guide, we are contributing to that mission.

It is also key to get everyone involved. All Visma employees have a responsibility to contribute to our work for the environment. By making sustainable choices, we can inspire others to follow suit.

Reducing the impact of our offices

Visma has hundreds of office locations across Europe. We want these workplaces to be pleasant for our employees while minimising our impact on the natural world.

Minimising energy consumption starts with awareness at the employee level to do the small things at the office—turning off the lights, for example. But the big changes happen through research and negotiation—looking at data, identifying areas for improvement, and working with rental owners to switch to renewable energy sources. Taken together, reducing our energy use is not just about energy efficiency, but also about awareness and choosing clean energy sources.

To decrease our climate impact, we have the goal to increase the share of office locations with 100% renewable energy.

A man sets up his laptop so he and a woman colleague can do some work while sitting outside along the waterfront.

Keeping carbon where it belongs

Energy use in data centres is predicted to increase up to 30% in some countries by 2030. Energy used means carbon emitted, which is why cutting energy consumption must be a focal point for any company wishing to reduce its carbon emissions.

Some of the most carbon-intensive actions are everyday business activities. Air travel, for example, which has been key to maintaining good customer and partner relationships, has been identified as one of the greatest contributors to global CO2 emissions. Similarly, not all energy sources are equal: a building fuelled by coal will have a far more negative impact on the climate and environment than a building supplied by solar power.

To address this, we are working on getting a full overview of our organisation’s carbon emissions, and setting reduction targets. The quality of online meeting platforms has improved dramatically; it is now possible to arrange most meetings and communications online. Our employees are asked to avoid all non-essential business travel, especially if that means taking a plane. We are also working to reduce the use of company vehicles and look at emissions from waste, water use, and other areas of energy consumption.

As part of this work, individual Visma companies are being onboarded into carbon accounting software to begin tracking and reporting their emissions.

A man conducts a video call with colleagues while his kids eat ice cream on the sofa in the background.

Limiting electronic waste

Humans generate 2 billion tonnes of waste every year ¹ , with Europe having an outsized contribution to that number. If every person lived like an EU citizen, we would need nearly three Earths to sustain life. The high volume of waste happening all around us means that we must take responsibility for limiting what we discard and in many cases limiting what we buy in the first place.

Visma uses a large amount of electronic equipment that we purchase and manage. Such equipment contains rare earth metals, which give us incredibly efficient and innovative technology, but are dangerous to the people in developing countries who extract and recycle them. Electronic equipment has become one of the fastest growing types of waste in Europe, which puts the onus on companies with heavy electronic use to do their part. Not only do we need to process the waste responsibly, but we must try to reduce it when possible.

At Visma, we encourage employees to consider a number of factors when purchasing equipment. As part of Visma's Sustainability Policy and Code of Conduct, employees are expected to reduce waste and explore the possibilities to extend the lifespan of products, take environmental and social costs of the entire product life cycle into account, and ensure a responsible ultimate disposal of materials at the end of their lifespan.

¹ _{The World Bank. (2018).

What a Waste 2.0

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The locals know best

Visma is a group of many companies spread internationally, each with their own products, operations, and environmental considerations.

Because of this, it is important that in addition to setting group-level goals, individual Visma companies have an understanding of their own impacts on the environment, including initiatives to reduce these impacts.

A man and his daughter sit in the living room during the day and have a conversation.

Managing the environmental impact of our operations

For a reduced footprint

Related SDGs

The locals know best

Managing the environmental
impact of our operations