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Finnish companies sustain presence in global ranking

Neste is the world’s leading producer of sustainable aviation fuel.

Neste

KONE, Neste, Kesko and Nordea Bank have been included in Corporate Knights’ 2023 ranking of the world’s 100 most sustainable corporations.

The 2023 edition of the global ranking assessed nearly 6 720 companies with revenue of over one billion US dollars across 25 key performance indicators. These included environmental performance, sustainable investment and revenue, and diversity.

Elevator and escalator specialist KONE ranked 19th on the ranking known as the Global 100, being the sole representative of its industry.

“KONE is at the vanguard of environmental performance and social responsibility, leading especially in board gender diversity,” saidCorporate Knights CEO Toby Heaps.

This was the third time that KONE featured in the ranking.

“The Corporate Knights is a gold standard in sustainability ranking and it is widely associated with transparency,” saidMikko Korte, KONE’s EVP of operations development.

KONE’s embrace of environmental and social aspects as well as governance, including its suppliers and partners, made it the top-ranked Finnish corporation.

KONE

Appearing on the list for the 17th consecutive time – the longest stretch for any of the world’s energy companies – Neste came in 29th as the only oil company on the ranking. The company’s refinement of waste, residues and innovative raw materials into renewable fuels has seen it become the world’s leading producer of sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel, among other green achievements.

Kesko’s 74th place also added the sustainable superlatives accumulated by Finnish corporations.

“Kesko is the only company in history to rank on the Global 100 every year since 2005,” Heaps said in 2022, upon recognition of Kesko’s ongoing milestone. “It is a singular achievement underlining the extent to which sustainable leadership is embedded within Kesko's culture and core business operations.”

Nordea has committed to net zero emissions by 2050 for the benefit of its customers, business and our future societies, said CEO Frank Vang-Jensen.

Finally, Nordea remains one of the top sustainable banks in the world, coming in at 94th on the listing. The Helsinki-headquartered bank has pledged to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

“Sustainability is an integrated part of our value proposition and Nordea was the first Nordic bank to set intermediate targets for 2030,” president and CEO Frank Vang-Jensen stated last year. “We are committed to continuing this journey for the benefit of our customers, our business and the future of the societies we operate in.”

By: James O’Sullivan
24.01.2023