Global businesses, no matter their industry, need to take responsibility for their impact on the world. We are all global citizens and have a duty to protect one another and our planet, to contribute to its sustainability and ultimately the survival of future generations. For this reason, the UN has set 17 sustainability goals for 2030, to which Axis is contributing.
Sustainability is an important and natural part of Axis’ operations, where our innovative solutions contribute to a smarter and safer world. We take a long-term approach to economic, environmental and social responsibilities and work for sound business ethics, so signing the UN Global compact in 2007 and acting towards the UN’s Global Sustainable Development Goals is a natural step for us. For the last 14 years we have worked, in collaboration with our global partners, towards these goals, which have been designed to create a safer planet that future generations can still enjoy.
“Since we signed the UN Global Compact in 2007, the principles have provided guidance for how we integrate sustainability in our operations. Sustainability is critical for our continued growth and successful development. We want to act as a role model and as a leading market player we have good opportunities to influence those around us. Through our work, we are also contributing to Agenda 2030 and the UN’s Global Sustainable Development Goals.”, says Axis CEO Ray Mauritsson.
Let’s have a look at some of the UN goals we have committed to in a bit more detail.
FILL THE GAP (Goals 4, 5 & 10)
We participate in many programs around the globe to help reduce discrimination and foster equal opportunities, and lead by example with policies such as ensuring that every Axis employee with the same level of competence and responsibility is paid the same salary, no matter their gender or ethnicity.
Moreover, for the past four years we have been among the supporters of the Pink Programming initiative, sponsoring the non-profit organization located in a number of major cities in Sweden and Norway. Pink Programming aims to encourage more women into technology through coding events, which are usually held twice a year and are organized by Axis.
“Getting more women into the IT sector is not just an important question for Axis but for society in general” says Louise Dolck Strömberg, Director HR Operations. “A more uniform gender distribution benefits individuals, companies and society, as well as bringing much needed additional skilled employees into the workplace. Experience also tells me that results are much better if more individuals with different perspectives contribute to developments.”
The desire to make a lasting impact on gender diversity in the security industry has sparked a series of programs and activities within Axis in the United States, some directed toward students and others at professionals in collaboration with the Security Industry Association. “Because of our industry leading position, we have a unique opportunity to also drive diversity forward,” says Elaine Palome, Director of Human Resources. “Many published studies show that including people of different ages, cultures and thought perspectives can lead to innovation, but above all it’s simply the right thing to do.”
Last year, the Asia Pacific region of Axis arranged webinar trainings as part of the Women in Security initiative. It aimed to encourage more women to apply for positions at Axis, along with increasing diversity and inclusion at the company. Furthermore, Axis is always striving to take a leading role in raising awareness and increasing diversity throughout the security and surveillance sector. “Women in Security provides an excellent forum for women working in the sector to meet and engage in meaningful dialog. It is also a meaningful way for Axis to demonstrate its values and that the company cares about these issues,” says Marie-Hélène Mansard, Business Development Director, Asia Pacific.
BREATHE IN (Goals 7, 11 & 13)
Reducing the carbon footprint left by humans is a crucial step in the race to reverse climate change and preserve the planet. Axis is taking steps to design devices that are as energy-efficient as possible, as well as improving other areas of the products´ environmental impact.
While making our products more sustainable, we are also looking at how they can be used to help lower carbon footprints:
Technologies such as Lightfinder – which allows cameras to produce high quality, colored images even in extreme low light conditions – can help a building reducing its carbon print by keeping the lights off during the night, without compromising on security. This was the case with Rock Hill school campuses in South Carolina, US.
BUILD THE FUTURE (Goals 3, 6 & 12)
Public health is affected by the levels of pollution on the planet; according to the World Health Organization (WHO), over four million people die each year as result of exposure to air pollution alone. In the same length of time, eight million new metric tons of plastic are thrown into the ocean, killing wildlife, destroying ecosystems and entering human bodies through the fish we eat.
Axis takes one the fight against plastic pollution with various initiatives. For example, our aim is to phaseout PVC (poly vinyl chlorine) plastics from our products; PVC is a substance that can emit toxic substances, is harmful to both human health and the environment, and is difficult to recycle.
We also work to optimize packaging boxes, so that they correspond more closely to the products’ size. Inflatable materials are increasingly used in packaging, since they are lighter and take up less space during transports. In addition, this material is reused when the products are repacked for transport to customers.
Additionally, Axis is striving to both lower and optimize water usage in its own operations and that of its suppliers. During 2020, Axis documented water use at its suppliers, and contacted suppliers to obtain information about their actual water consumption and targets. As a next step, Axis will be implementing water reduction targets for suppliers with the highest levels of water consumption. In addition, Axis has worked to set goals for the water consumption of its own operations.
Finally, Axis products are designed to have a long life-cycle; our devices run on an open platform, which means that older products are still compatible with new Axis technologies, allowing users to install new software and accessories while maintaining the same device, instead of buying the latest model.
MAKE RECYCLED GOODS, NOT WAR (Goal 16)
A peaceful world is a secure world; Axis puts a lot of effort into fostering a strong ethics code not just with employees, but with partners as well. Our Code of Conduct establishes the values and guidelines on which we conduct our business and how our associates should act in business-related situations, internally and externally.
Every employee, supplier, distributor and partner is expected to follow the Code of Conduct in order to continue its business relation with Axis.
To further foster ethical business practices we have an anti-corruption policy in place, with zero tolerance against all types of bribery and other forms of corruption. All employees, including the company board, are required to sign an undertaking that they will comply with the anti-corruption policy and participate in training in these issues every second year.
Conclusion
“Axis takes long-term responsibility for how our operations impact our stakeholders and we act according to our values, in an ethical, responsible and transparent way in our business relationships. Our agenda is long-term and ambitious and there is a genuine commitment to drive the operations in a sustainable way in all parts of our organization.”, says Ray Mauritsson.