Environmental and resource policy

The environmental and resources policy is OR's commitment to continuous environmental reform. It shows us the way and is the basis for good cooperation with stakeholders. The environmental and resource policy is based on OR's values and business strategy.

OR complies with all provisions of laws and regulations that apply to the business.

The environmental and resource policy is set out with the following principles and further elaborated through systematic management and reform of significant environmental aspects:

Climate and climate risk

OR aims for carbon neutrality by 2030. OR counteracts and responds to the effects of climate change through its own activities, thus directly affecting the carbon footprint of the population and the economy. OR manages its climate-related risks.

Responsible resource management

OR is entrusted with great responsibility for the resources it utilizes. The responsibility lies in working according to the ideology of sustainable development and in ensuring sustainable utilization, that is, future generations will have the same opportunities as current generations to utilize the resources and that it can be confirmed that this is the case. OR is committed to seeking successful solutions where public resource use is evaluated in the context of other interests. OR will protect the resources from threats and intrusion, due to the responsibility entrusted to the company.

Benefit of utility operations

Access to OR utilities promotes healthy living conditions for people and opportunities for environmentally friendly activities in the community. This positive environmental impact is crucial when decisions are made about the development of power plants and utilities. These decisions are based on the fact that OR makes high demands on quality, delivery security and efficiency, and publishes clear information about the company's operations and future plans.

Impact of emissions

OR's operations inevitably lead to the release of materials and energy into the environment. OR takes the utmost care in its operations and aims for near-zero carbon footprint processing and operations. Emissions only occur when the effects on health are negligible and the effects on the environment are acceptable. OR reduces greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions as much as possible and focuses on research and development in order to be able to use the best possible solutions for that purpose.

Impact in society

OR has extensive knowledge and experience in the utilization of geothermal energy, infrastructure development and other aspects of the company's operations. OR imparts knowledge and influences in the value chain, which encourages responsible treatment of the environment, responsible consumer behavior and positive social impact including energy shift in transport, where OR is at the forefront. OR utilizes its position and knowledge to encourage and develop environmentally friendly transport and utilizes its infrastructure and energy flows to broaden the supply of solutions.

Operations

OR's operations are based on the organized and disciplined work methods of employees at distributed establishments. Daily work involves, among other things, responsible use of energy and resources, upholding the quality of structures, taking good care of plots and land, treating waste responsibly, encouraging climate friendly transport and set a good example with energy shift within OR’s operations. OR wants to be a role model in its operations and build the skills of its staff in that regard.

Significant environmental aspects

OR defines the following environmental aspects as significant in the light of the principles set out in the environmental and resources policy. OR sets goals for these environmental aspects and defines responsibilities:

Climate and climate risk

  • Emission of greenhouse gasses
  • Greenhouse gas sequestration

Responsible management of resources:

  • Managing production in high-temperature geothermal fields
  • Managing production in low-temperature geothermal fields
  • Land for power plants and other developing sites
  • Conservation of potable water resources

Benefit of utilities:

  • Access to a more diversified utilization of high-temperature geothermal resources
  • Access to electricity utility
  • Access to geothermal district heating utility
  • Access to potable water utility
  • Access to fiber network utility
  • Access to a carbon utility

Impact of emissions:

  • Discharge of disposal water and monitoring of groundwater
  • Hydrogen sulphide emissions
  • Earthquakes due to release of dissolved carbon dioxide into water
  • Discharge of wastewater from sewage treatment plants
  • Discharge of drainage through overflows

Impact on society:

  • Dissemination of knowledge on geothermal energy utilization and other aspects of operations
  • Dissemination of knowledge on responsible consumer behavior
  • Procurement
  • Energy shift in transport

The operations:

  • Waste
  • Transport
  • Infrastructure and maintenance
  • Hazardous chemical use