Sustainability framework
Sustainability is a central part of DHI’s DNA and purpose. In everything we do, we strive to make a positive contribution to the sustainable development of our planet.
With focus on sustainability, decision-makers are driving new regulations to impose higher standards for environment and social protections and disclosure of performance, it is clear that our global water ecosystems are under pressure. Climate change drives more extreme weather conditions, global warming and rising sea levels, and at the same time urbanisation requires new standards for water distribution and water quality.
Our strategy, DHI+, is built on our ambition to support the realisation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We highlight five SDGs that reflect the areas in which we make the largest impact together with our clients and partners:
- SDG 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
- SDG 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
- SDG 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
- SDG 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
- SDG 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
Our work in relation to these SDGs includes:
- Improving access to safe water, reducing untreated wastewater and increasing water-use efficiency
- Reducing water scarcity and implementing integrated water resource management
- Enabling increased use of renewable energy
- Develop sustainable and resilient marine infrastructure
- Strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters
- Protecting and restoring water-related ecosystems
Sustainability reporting
DHI is a signatory to UN Global Compact and committed to upholding the 10 principles of human rights, labour rights, anti-corruption and the environment.
The information contained in the Annual Report also serves as our progress report on DHI’s implementation of the 10 principles of the UN Global Compact.
Our sustainability reporting has been based on Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines and standards since 2021. This section provides an overview of all relevant information to fulfil the GRI indicators and shows how DHI contributes to the SDGs and the principles of the UN Global Compact.
Further, from 2022, we have structured our reporting based on the principles following the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive’s structure for Sustainability Statements. For DHI, the new EU Directive is effective for the financial year starting 1 January 2025.
The key sustainability topics are structured on the basis of ESG issues and KPIs.
Our ambitions and commitments
Our approach to sustainability is described in our sustainability framework, which outlines our ambitions, key targets and commitments within the two overall impact levels: the impact we have together with clients and partners through our advisory services and solutions, and the impact we have within DHI from our own operations.
The framework is based on a double materiality approach and furthermore, we have applied the GRI requirements to determine our material topics. This means we have taken an ‘outside-in’ view of sustainability matters that can affect our business as well as an ‘inside-out’ view of where our actions influence the environment and society. Both positive and negative outcomes are included.