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Ethics and compliance

The renewables industry is built by people who believe in a better future. However, many of the countries where we operate are vulnerable to corruption which makes our work challenging. We make extensive efforts in our projects and operations to prevent corruption and other unethical practices.

Management approach

Scatec is opposed all forms of corruption and strives to meet the highest ethical standards across our business activities. Our Code of Conduct prohibits all forms of corruption, and we implement internal controls to prevent, detect and remedy improper conduct through our and Anti-Corruption Compliance Programme. Our approach is risk-based, and we keep a special focus on markets and activities particularly exposed to corruption.

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Scatec is subject to national and international laws prohibiting bribery and corruption. All Scatec employees and subsidiaries must comply with the Norwegian Penal Code, the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the UK Bribery Act, all of which have international effect. In addition, Scatec complies with the applicable anti-corruption laws in the countries where we operate.

Scatec has adopted a set of policies and procedures designed to adequately prevent and detect the corruption risks the organisation faces. The policies and procedures aim to provide Scatec employees necessary guidance to make the right decisions. They are also designed to prevent deliberate unethical conduct by our business partners and suppliers.

The Scatec Governance System consists of procedures that cover a broad range of risks, many of which also includes measures working to mitigate corruption risks. This Anti-Corruption Program provides references to the key procedures in the governance system aimed at preventing and detecting corruption.

The Code of Conduct describes what is expected of Scatec and its employees when interacting with stakeholders and with each other. It sets out the essential requirements for good business conduct and provides guidance on how to act within the Scatec values.

GRI disclosures

GRI 205-1: Operations assessed for risks related to corruption

Corruption risk assessments form the basis for selecting the areas that requires specific mitigating actions and resource allocation. Each business unit is required to regularly assess and prioritise corruption risks in their activities. The Global Compliance Officer supports the business unit in their risk assessments and in identifying mitigating measures.

We conduct corruption risk assessments at country, project and contract level. Scatec utilises the assessments to pinpoint areas which require specific attention, mitigating action and resource allocation. When risk is identified, it is recorded and reported to the relevant stakeholders in each project to ensure awareness and implementation. In addition, we conduct a group risk assessment for every business unit each year.

Projects moving from opportunity, development, and structuring to the delivery and power-production phases are assessed through Decision Gates. There are four Decisions Gates with clear criteria and requirements related to screening, compliance and risks of corruption.

Contracting Parties such as business partners, suppliers and corporate customers may expose Scatec to reputational, legal, and operational risk. Scatec is committed to taking the necessary steps to manage the risks arising from third-party relationships. As part of this commitment, no relationship with a third party may be established without appropriate integrity due diligence (IDD) of the business relationship, and no contract shall be entered into without adequate anti-corruption undertakings. All third party relationships shall undergo sufficient monitoring.

All new third parties, hereunder business partners, suppliers and corporate customers must undergo appropriate IDD in accordance with the Integrity Due Diligence Procedure. The IDD requirements for third parties are risk-based and determined by the risk of the country, the scope of work and the annual value of the contract. The relevant Project Manager from Business Development or Solutions is responsible to ensure that the Integrity Due Diligence Procedure is complied with.

Local development partners and consultants assist in development activities, which often includes interactions with Public Officials and government authorities. These business relationships represent a high risk to Scatec, and is therefore placed under specific control measures: Enhanced IDD requirements, tailored Anti-Corruption clauses, and enhanced monitoring activities.

 

 

 

GRI 205-2: Participation in anti-corruption training and targeted workshops for high-risk groups

Scatec requires all employees to complete training in our anti-corruption policies. We have developed an advanced gamified Code of Conduct training, which is an interactive game consisting of dilemma training and mini games. The course introduces the Code of Conduct and the main procedures adopted to prevent and detect corruption. Employees require an 80% pass rate for each module to be certified on the training platform. The objective of the training is to ensure that Scatec’s employees are familiar with applicable anticorruption laws and are prepared to identify and manage the corruption risks they may encounter while working for Scatec.

All Scatec employees are required to attend the in-person anti-corruption training course every three years. The Global Compliance Officer is responsible for coordinating the anti-corruption training. For employees located on project sites during construction, it is often necessary to coordinate training in the language commonly used on site. The Global Compliance Officer is responsible to ensure that anti-corruption training is made available in the appropriate language and that the trainer is equipped to provide guidance on anti-corruption laws and the relevant governing documents.

Employees with high exposure to corruption are required to attend tailored anti-corruption training. An analysis is performed every year to determine employees with specific exposure to corruption risk owning to their particular role. Based on these assessments, Scatec has developed specialised workshops for employees working within the departments of Business Development and Solutions. Each business unit is responsible for identifying the Scatec employees with specific training needs, supported by the Global Compliance Officer. The HR function shall support the Global Compliance Officer to effectively deliver training in the locations outside HQ. 

The number and percentage of employees that the organisation’s anti-corruption policies and procedures have been communicated to, broken down by employee category and region, is presented in the tables below:

EuropeAfricaLATAMMENAAsiaTotal%
Permanent employment2552429210683778100%
Temporary employment87540122146100%
924100%

The number and percentage of in-scope employees that have received training on anti-corruption, is a total of 701 employees, of which 100% completed the training in 2022.

Scatec’s anti-corruption policies and procedures are communicated to all suppliers and business partner globally. Contracting Parties such as business partners, suppliers and corporate customers may expose Scatec to reputational, legal, and operational risk. No relationship with a third party may be established without appropriate integrity due diligence (IDD) of the business relationship, and no contract shall be entered into without adequate anti-corruption undertakings. All third party relationships shall undergo sufficient monitoring.

All new third parties, hereunder business partners, suppliers and corporate customers must undergo appropriate IDD in accordance with the Integrity Due Diligence Procedure. The IDD requirements for third parties are risk-based and determined by the risk of the country, the scope of work and the annual value of the contract. The relevant Project Manager from Business Development or Solutions is responsible to ensure that the Integrity Due Diligence Procedure is complied with. Detailed guidance of the Integrity Due Diligence process is described in the Integrity Due Diligence Procedure.

All suppliers must sign our Supplier Code of Conduct and confirm conformance with the IFC’s anti-corruption guidelines which we integrate into all our contracts, in addition to HSSE, environmental, social, and quality assurance and control requirements. In 2022, 100% of Scatec’s new business partners and contracted suppliers received our Code of Conduct and Partner Conduct Principles.

GRI 205-3: Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken

GRI 406-1: Incidents of discrimination and corrective actions taken

he whistleblower function is available to all employees, suppliers, partners and customers of the company through internal channels and our corporate website. The function is operated by an independent third party and available in eight languages. All whistleblowers have the option to be anonymous.

Number of reports received in 2022: 8

The reports alleged breaches of various issues including conflict of interest, discrimination, misconduct in the workplace environment, and alleged fraud and corruption. Enquiries were investigated regarding all allegations. No allegations of corruption or discrimination were substantiated and corrective and/or disciplinary actions were implemented accordingly by Management.

Key performance indicatorUnitTarget 2022Actual 2022Actual 2021Actual 2020Target 2023
Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken
Confirmed incidents of corruptionNumber00000
Confirmed incidents in which employees were dismissed or disciplined for corruptionNumber00000
Confirmed incidents when contracts with business partners were terminated or not renewed because of violations related to corruptionNumber00000
Public legal cases regarding corruption against the organisation or its employees during the reporting period Number00000
Number of companies or individuals on Scatec projects subject to IFC investigation or sanctioning Number00000

GRI 415-1: Political contributions

Scatec does not make donations or contributions to political parties, candidates, labour unions or trade associations.

GRI 2-27: Compliance with laws and regulations

Scatec is committed to conducting our business in a sustainable manner and in accordance with leading, global Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles. In addition, we are strongly positioned to implement best practices of Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) management approaches.

International best practice frameworks and guidelines 

We strive to work in line with the Equator Principles and IFC Performance Standards in all operations and our work is guided by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, the United Nations Global Compact, the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the core conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Regulations and compliance 

As a listed company on the Oslo Stock Exchange in Norway, we comply with the Norwegian Diversity Act, Norwegian Transparency Act and EU Taxonomy on environmentally sustainable activities. In 2023, we will assess our Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) readiness and aim to close any gaps identified towards compliance and best practice.

  • Scatec is committed to protecting the environment and contributing to the prevention of climate change. We understand that our activities may cause harm and we continuously work to reduce any negative impact that we may cause. We support a cautious approach to environmental challenges and undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility.
  • Scatec strives to conduct all business with respect for the fundamental human rights. We take responsibility to avoid adverse impacts to our employees, suppliers, local communities and all other stakeholders affected by our operations.
  • Engagement is a key element of building trust among our stakeholders and the communities that neighbour our business operations. We commit to deliver timely and meaningful consultations to project affected communities and other stakeholders on our activities, and ensure they are given opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns.
  • Community investments demonstrate our commitment to social responsibility. These are voluntary initiatives that contribute to the long-term common good of local communities closest to our sites and come in addition to efforts made to mitigate or compensate for project related impacts.
  • Scatec values a partnership model in our business activities. A complete screening of all suppliers and third parties engaged in each project is completed through our Integrity Due Diligence (IDD) process. The IDD assesses our third parties’ adherence to our Code of Conduct, ethical business requirements and Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS), or their capacity to adhere to our project’s ESMS.

The compliance function, led by the Chief Compliance Officer, has overall responsibility for building and monitoring compliance within Scatec. This responsibility includes providing guidance on compliance matters and following up potential violations of our governing framework by our employees, partners and suppliers. Where required, a local compliance officer will be appointed.

Anyone who violates Scatec’s Code of Conduct may face disciplinary sanctions which can include termination of employment and the involvement of relevant authorities. Everyone working in Scatec is subject to the same consequences and will be subject to sanctions, regardless of their position or seniority. Leaders who passively tolerate violations by their team members may also face disciplinary actions.

Compliance with applicable laws and regulations are mandatory in all Scatec activities, but business ethics extend beyond simple compliance. Scatec conducts business with integrity, respecting the cultures, dignity and rights of individuals in all the regions where we operate. We strive to conduct business in a way that makes our employees proud to work for Scatec. In 2022, no significant fines were paid nor were non-monetary sanctions in place against Scatec. 

The Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index 2022

(0–19) Extreme Risk(20–39) High Risk(40–59) High–Medium Risk (60–79) Medium(80–100) Low
Honduras (23)India (40)Botswana (60)Norway (84)
Mozambique (26)Tunisia (40)
Uganda (26) Vietnam (42)
Pakistan (27)South Africa (43)
Mali (28)Malaysia (47)
Egypt (30)Jordan (47)
Laos (31)Rwanda (51)
Philippines (33)Poland (55)
Ukraine (33)Czech Republic (56)
Argentina (38)
Brazil (38)

Methodology

Key definitions include:

Corruption: Corruption occurs when a payment, gift, favour, or advantage is offered, made, accepted or requested to influence a business decision, or in connection with someone’s position, office or assignment. Corruption may involve Public Officials, companies, or private individuals, and may occur directly or indirectly through third parties such as developers, service providers and joint venture partners. 

Corruption incidents: The number of confirmed incidents of corruption received via Scatec’s publicly available whistleblower function (on our corporate website) managed by an independent third party.

Public official: A person who is elected or appointed government official or representative, an employee or representative of a state-owned or state-controlled company, an employee or representative for a company performing a governmental function, an employee of international public organisations (UN, EU, World Bank), a representative for a political party or a labour union, members of royal families, or close family members to any of the above.

Governing documents and related resources

Reports