Carbon neutrality in Finnish companies - Why are companies pursuing carbon neutrality well ahead of time, and what are the perceived impacts of carbon neutrality?
Karumaa, Josefin (2023)
Karumaa, Josefin
2023
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202302072113
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202302072113
Tiivistelmä
Finland targets being the first carbon neutral welfare country by 2035. On EU level, the collective carbon neutrality target is by 2050, according to the Paris Agreement. Nevertheless, some companies are already pursuing carbon neutrality. The aim of this study is to get an insight in Finnish companies pursuing carbon neutrality well ahead of time, and the perceived impacts of it. The literature review was conducted using sources such as the UNFCCC, IPCC, the Ministry of the Environment and Deloitte. The two research questions were: 1. Why are companies pursuing carbon neutrality well ahead of time? and 2. What are the perceived impacts of carbon neutrality? The research strategy was a qualitative study conducted through semi-structured interviews, and the data was analyzed with thematic analysis. The scope included six Finnish companies that are carbon neutral or pursue it. From the data, 199 initial statements were compressed to five 2nd order themes for each research question. The 2nd order themes were further combined into aggregate dimensions. There was three aggregate dimensions related to research question 1: brand support, company culture and fighting climate change. The main reasons for pursuing carbon neutrality ahead of time were environmental, both personal motives and following legislation, but respondents also took marketing and branding advantages into consideration. The companies also had a strong sustainability strategy from before and viewed carbon neutrality as a continuance to this. The aggregate dimensions related to research question 2 were: company culture and sales impacts. All companies reported highlighted company culture and awareness among employees as impacts from carbon neutrality. Some companies also reported positive sales and marketing impacts. There are two additional findings: the strategy of choosing a carbon compensation partner, and future expected impacts from carbon neutrality. The scope only included six companies from which only three are certified carbon neutral, which may limit the results. The results may also have been affected by recent global events, such as the instable economic and safety situation in Europe.