Our approach

Sustainable business

A responsible approach to ethics and sustainability
Building a sustainable company for the future can only be achieved by taking action on global challenges.

ALK has a long-standing commitment to sustainability and ethical business practices. In 2009, we affirmed our commitment to the United Nations Global Compact’s 10 principles on human and labour rights, the environment and anti-corruption.

This commitment was more directly linked to our business in 2019 when we unveiled a new framework for CSR at ALK, which is more directly linked to our business activities.

  • We promise to build upon our heritage as a pioneer in allergy immunotherapy and bring allergy products and solutions to as many people with allergy as possible around the world. We promise to be a workplace characterised by a caring and creative nature where development, diversity, safety and work-life balance are seen as valuable assets. We call it The Human Organisation. 
  • We promise to take care of the planet by taking actions that benefit the environment and the climate. We want to set ambitious goals that bring positive changes to the planet. 

Making the world a better place

We want to make a difference by offering solutions for everyone who is touched by allergy.

In addition, we are contributing to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and have pledged our support for the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

In particular: 

  • SDG3: Good health and well-being: We contribute to healthy lives and promote well-being for patients and our employees at all ages
  • SDG8: Decent work and economic growth: We work systematically to improve the working environment in all parts of our organisation and to promote safety at work
  • SDG12: Responsible consumption and production: We support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges and continuously seek to use natural resources efficiently
  • SGD16: Peace, justice and strong institutions: We work to reduce corruption and bribery in all its forms

Measuring our progress

Measurement is an important gauge of effectiveness in sustainability and we have set a number of targets for the next few years:

By 2020:

  • We want to be treating 2 million people with our products
  • We want women to make up 30% of functional managers
  • We want to reduce the Lost Time Injury (LTI) frequency to below 3 per 1 million hours worked
  • Energy and water efficiency considerations should be an integrated part of facility upgrade plans
  • At least 30% of all consumed energy should come from renewable sources
  • We aim to have reduced CO2 emissions by 25% versus 2017
  • We want at least 45% of our waste to be re-used/recycled
  • We want to test all employees annually on business ethics

 

Then, by 2022:

  • We want women to make up 30% of the shareholder-elected members of the Board of Directors

CSR Reports

Each year, a CSR Report outlines our commitments, progress and details specific metrics relating to the company’s performance in the previous year.

We openly disclose our performance and progress to our key stakeholders both on financial and non-financial performance indicators.

ALK publishes an annual statutory Report on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as part of the Management’s review in the annual report.

Statutory Report on CSR 2018
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Statutory Report on CSR 2017
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Statutory Report on CSR 2016
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Policies and guidelines to reinforce our commitment

ALK has various policies and guidelines in place to ensure our everyday activities support the commitments we have made.

These include policies on CSR, Environment, Health and Safety (EHS), human resources, diversity, as well as anti-corruption and bribery policies.

We also have an Employee Code of Conduct which outlines our expectations when it comes to professionalism, honesty and integrity. ALK’s managers are responsible for ensuring that each employee is is familiar with the code and its importance.

At the same time, it would be impossible for the code to cover every possible scenario, so we also stress to our employees the importance of careful judgement.

PDF icon Download alk_codeofconduct_2017.pdf (1.02 MB)

ALK's Code of Conduct

Last updated: 2019.07.05