A fresh approach to sustainability
In 2020, Jotun formally aligned its GreenSteps programme with relevant United Nations
Sustainability Goals.
As a pioneer in the development of powder coatings and
waterborne paints and coatings, Jotun has a proud history
of developing products and solutions that supports a more
environmentally sustainable world. In 2010, the company
launched Jotun GreenSteps, a programme that works both
as a platform to improve Jotun’s environmental performance
and a framework to help customers achieve their own
sustainability goals. Since then, Jotun has been able to track
its performance in five categories: Reducing Volatile Organic
Compounds (VOC) emissions, hazardous materials, energy
consumption, carbon emissions and waste.
ALIGNING OUR BUSINESS WITH UN SDGs
In 2015, the UN announced 17 Sustainable Development Goals
and 169 targets covering a broad range of topics. In 2020,
Jotun decided to focus on the three most relevant goals where
the company can make a significant impact. For example, the
company’s implementation of diverse and inclusive human
resources policies in 2020 is aligned with Goal Number 8
(Decent work and economic growth). Likewise, the 2020
launch of Jotun’s proactive hull cleaning system, Hull Skating
Solutions, is aligned with Goal Number 14 (Life below water).
Jotun has identified Goal Number 12 (Responsible
consumption and production) as another area where
the company can make a difference. Through the Jotun
GreenSteps programme, Jotun has taken steps to align its own
factory operations with this goal by implementing systems
and policies to reduce waste and lower energy consumption.
For example, in 2020, Jotun announced plans to install solar
panels in factories in China and Malaysia.
A HOLISTIC VIEW OF THE VALUE CHAIN
Because environmental sustainability requires the responsible
use of resources, Jotun has taken a holistic view of how we
impact the lifecycle of assets, from ‘cradle to grave’. After all, as
a global manufacturer of paints and coatings, Jotun occupies a
unique position in the value chain between suppliers and end
users. In fact, Jotun’s ability to carefully select and influence
transportation and raw materials suppliers on one end and
help customers extend maintenance intervals or reduce
energy consumption on the other, has a far greater impact on
environmental sustainability than our own factory operations.
LINK TO BUSINESS STRATEGY
Jotun recognises that both government-mandated regulations
and voluntary schemes, such as the UN Global Compact and
pending regulations related to the EU’s ‘Global Green New
Deal’, will place pressure on end users to achieve and document
environmental improvements, creating increased demand for
high quality, long-lasting paints and coatings that support their
sustainability objectives. In this way, Jotun’s sustainability focus
is linked to the company’s business strategy.
Looking ahead, Jotun’s sustainability focus areas include the
development of holistic solutions relevant to our unique role
in the value chain. This approach will be based on transparent,
scientific methodology, such as performing Life Cycle
Assessments and offering Environmental Product Declarations
to help customers understand and quantify the environmental
impacts of paints and coatings they select. This same rigorous
approach will guide Jotun’s development of products and
solutions and is used to strengthen and expand the Jotun
GreenSteps programme.
56 I Jotun Group Report 2020 Environmental commitment