Sustainability initiatives in 2023
Over the year, we have initiated a series of sustainability-related projects, demonstrating our commitment to sustainability as part of our overall business strategy. Here is a look at some of the sustainability projects we’ve been involved in during 2023, in line with our ambition to power the great shift towards a sustainable future.
Stockholm Climate Week, 18-22 April 2023
Leading the charge: establishing a Baltic energy hub
At Stockholm Climate Week in April, OX2's Chief Commercial Officer, Peter Tornberg, outlined our vision to secure the Baltic Sea as the region's green energy hub.
Highlighting the significance of OX2's role in renewable energy development, Tornberg underscored the importance of creating a sustainable, interconnected network of renewable energy projects across the Baltic.
Speaking to the urgency of the energy transition, Jens Wenzel Kristoffersen, Commander of the Royal Danish Navy, emphasised the need for swift action and cross-governmental collaboration, citing recent geopolitical events as a catalyst for change.
Protecting Baltic biodiversity: a holistic approach
Lotta Nummelin, Permit Manager for OX2, shed light on our holistic approach to biodiversity during the dedicated session at Stockholm Climate Week. The approach focuses on the need to balance energy production with the protection of diverse ecosystem. It follows the mitigation hierarchy, which secures a comprehensive consideration of impacts on biodiversity.
Utilizing insights from biologists and scientific data, our approach aims to maximize the effectiveness of the energy hub while fostering the thriving of native plant and animal species in the Baltic region. This is a mentality that extends to all of our sustainability work, in all our markets.
Working on projects like these forces us to think outside the box when it comes to working with nature to build our wind farms, onshore and off, in a sustainable way.
Sustainable reforestation in Wysoka
Balancing wind energy and environmental stewardship
In Wysoka, Poland, our reforestation initiative has garnered attention for its approach to balancing renewable energy production with environmental stewardship. By carefully selecting and planting a diverse array of local species, we have demonstrated our commitment to fostering a resilient ecosystem.
Paul Stormoen, CEO of OX2, stressed the importance of this initiative, stating, "Shoring up our energy security in a way that is beneficial to both the climate crisis and the environment at large is a true win-win."
What makes this project particularly unique, too, is that we’re able to engage with the local community through our nature-positive measures. With wood from the felled trees, a local contractor has made huts for birds, bats, and hedgehogs.
Wetland restoration in Klevberget
Reintroducing freshwater pearl mussels
OX2's Wetland Restoration Project in Klevberget, Ånge municipality in Sweden, marked a significant step towards enhancing aquatic biodiversity.
By initiating this project, our team has contributed to the revival of the endangered freshwater pearl mussel population. Through planned habitat restoration measures, the project aims to create an environment favourable to the re-establishment of this vital species.
Our collaboration with key stakeholders, including The Swedish Anglers Assocation, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, and SCA, illustrates our commitment to fostering collaborative sustainability efforts.
Setting science-based targets in 2023
In May, our science-based targets (SBTs) were approved. OX2 has committed to reducing absolute scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42% by 2030 and to measure and reduce Scope 3 emissions.
Our commitment to science-based targets is a cornerstone of our climate action. By incorporating these targets into our renewable energy projects, we actively contribute to a green energy transition.
Nature-positive wind and solar farms by 2030
We work actively with biodiversity and our goal is to develop nature-positive wind and solar farms by 2030. This film explains why.
COP28: Can renewable energy solve the biodiversity crisis?
During COP28, we hosted a seminar together with We Don’t Have Time.
The development of renewable energy holds a huge potential to power the world and help the efforts to combat climate change. In doing so, it can also play a key role in increasing biodiversity. The session focused on how the acceleration of renewables can happen sustainably and in ways that can be nature positive.
Watch the seminar here:
It's not only about what – it's also about how
By working in partnerships and striving for biodiversity conservation and the promotion of nature-positive practices, we will continue to accelerate access to renewable energy, while also protecting natural values.
It's not only about what we deliver but also about how we deliver it. Because the development of renewable energy must not come at the expense of nature.