Baltic short cruise and ferry company AS Tallink Grupp has introduced a group-wide corporate social responsibility strategy.

Devised in collaboration with communications firm Miltton Nordics and aligned with the UN Sustainable Development goals, the CSR manifesto centres around four areas: Looking after the Climate, Looking After the Sea, Looking after Resources and Looking after People.

These will be used to refine some initial sustainable development goals, such as reducing emissions, plastics and other forms of waste.

Additionally, the goals will focus on increasing the use of sustainable and locally sourced products in a nod to the circular economy and concentrating more strongly on responsible services and staff wellbeing.

‘DECISIVE DECADE OF ACTION’

Paavo Nõgene, CEO of Tallink Grupp (left) said: “We have just entered the decisive decade of action for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

“The IMO’s (International Maritime Organization) official world maritime theme for the year 2020 is also ‘Sustainable shipping for a sustainable planet’, so there is increased focus on CSR issues all around us.

“There is no time to waste if we want to make a tangible difference and it is up to every single one of us – as individuals and as companies and organisations – to take practical steps to achieve the positive impact necessary.

“At Tallink Grupp we have historically and continuously worked to reduce our negative impact on the world around us and increase the positive impact we have on the communities in which we operate.

“Now we will do this with even greater focus, so that our impact in the areas that we do focus on, would be even greater. We will also ensure we talk more about the activities and steps taken in this important area. Like many scientists and experts have said, it is not too late yet, but the time to take action is now.”

Tallink will publish more detail on its CSR activities and objectives on its website in the first quarter of this year.