In 2023, Ruukki Construction made further progress with work to reduce emissions from our own operations (Scope 1 & 2). At the end of last year, our emissions were 59% lower than the base level of 2019. As a company, we aim for a 70% reduction in tons of CO2 emissions and other greenhouse gases by the end of 2030 compared to 2019.

In 2023, we continued our systematic work to improve the sustainability of our operations, aligned our reporting with the International Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) and set new targets for our operations in line with the Science Based Targets initiative.

“The transition to fossil-free energy progressed and as of 2024, a total of seven of our 13 plants now run on fossil-free electricity. In addition to emission reductions, we will continue to focus on improving the energy efficiency of our plants. Energy efficiency in everything we do is important because it is good for both the climate and the wallet," says Tuovi Palojärvi, Sustainability Manager, Ruukki Construction.

Our actions to reduce emissions from our operations focused on the following:

• Electricity: Transition to fossil-free electricity, focus on ​areas with the most emission-intensive electricity​
• Internal transportation: Electric forklifts & using biodiesel ​
• Facility heating: Transferring to low-carbon energy sources​
• Energy efficiency: e.g., shifting to led lights, minimizing heat loss​

Towards total carbon footprint

This year we will determine Ruukki's total carbon footprint, including emissions from the entire value chain (Scope 3 emissions in greenhouse gas terminology) and set targets for reducing emissions in accordance with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

"Understanding the emissions impacts of the entire value chain is vital and developing our own operations is essential, but we know that this is only the tip of the iceberg. Most of our climate impacts occur in the value chain." Tuovi continues.

When our reporting covers the impacts of the entire value chain, monitoring climate impacts and setting targets is comprehensive and lays the foundation for future development.

"This is how we can show our customers our commitment to sustainability in our industry and at the same time help them to better understand the impacts of their entire value chain," Tuovi concludes.