Stage 1: Identifying the relevant stakeholders across the value chain

Nokia, one the biggest telecommunication companies in Finland, actively engages with its stakeholders, particularly customers, to share best practices, sustainability performance, and operational insights.

Throughout 2022, they conducted a series of in-person workshops aimed at fostering collaboration and sharing strategies, commitments, requirements, and targets. These workshops will continue into 2023, demonstrating Nokia's ongoing commitment to stakeholder engagement. Additionally, they regularly interact with customers through virtual and face-to-face meetings, where environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues are discussed.

Nokia provides customers with access to information about their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions upon request, primarily through responses to the CDP climate change questionnaire and detailed environmental data available in the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for their products. This transparent approach ensures stakeholders are informed and involved in Nokia's sustainability efforts.

Auga Group, the Lithuanian organic food company, identifies relevant stakeholders through a process led by the management team, considering the nature and scope of their activities and the broader business requirements. By engaging with these stakeholders, the Group can better understand their needs and work towards creating positive impacts across various domains.

The stakeholders are categorized, and their main topics and forms of dialogue are documented for reference. Additionally, the Group conducts a materiality assessment of sustainability criteria every two years, involving stakeholders, Auga Group managers, and board members. This assessment utilizes an anonymous survey to gauge the significance of key sustainability criteria for all identified stakeholder groups.

Foxway, a circular tech services provider present in Estonia, actively considers input from major stakeholders, including customers and business partners, in setting plans for managing various ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) aspects. While direct engagement with external stakeholders in defining material ESG aspects has not yet occurred, Foxway plans to initiate dedicated dialogues with major stakeholders on these matters. The company prioritizes openness, dialogue, and collaboration as integral parts of its daily business operations. By maintaining close communication with stakeholders who are significantly impacted by or can influence Foxway’s operations, the company ensures that these relationships are constructive and beneficial in both the short and long term.

At HMD Global, the Finnish mobile manufacturer, close and collaborative relationships with stakeholders are essential for meeting sustainability expectations and achieving mutual goals. The company fosters transparency and trust through open communication with its stakeholders. HMD actively engages with internal stakeholders by organizing workshops to gather their input on material topics for reporting. This collaborative approach ensures that stakeholders' needs are addressed and helps HMD continuously improve the impact of its actions. By prioritizing stakeholder engagement, HMD aims to enhance its sustainability initiatives and foster a culture of openness and cooperation.

Tele2, the Estonian telecommunications company, prioritizes open communication and active engagement with its stakeholders to align with their expectations and ensure mutual growth. In the most recent major stakeholder dialogue held in 2020, Tele2 gathered input through surveys and interviews with over 9,000 key stakeholders, including investors, employees, customers, the Board of Directors, suppliers, NGOs, and ESG analysts. Stakeholders were asked to rank the importance of 18 material sustainability issues for the company and the industry. The top three issues identified were privacy, integrity, and digital ethics; business ethics; and the prevention of Child Sexual Abuse Material distribution.

This feedback informed Tele2's materiality analysis, which subsequently shaped the sustainability strategy launched in 2021. Stakeholders also emphasized the importance of Tele2 having a robust sustainability agenda, with employees rating it 8.8, B2C customers 8.2, and B2B customers 7.9 out of 10. Tele2 plans to conduct a major stakeholder dialogue every 3–4 years, contingent on internal progress and external factors such as new macroeconomic trends, legislation, or technology advancements. Additionally, Tele2 maintains continuous stakeholder dialogues to stay aligned with their key stakeholders' evolving needs and expectations.

EPSO-G, the Lithuanian energy group, engages with its stakeholders by actively assessing and considering their social and economic interests and expectations when implementing strategic objectives. The group's strategic activities are closely aligned with the interests of various stakeholders, maintaining official, partnership, or consultative contacts with groups or individuals who have a vested interest in EPSO-G’s operations. Comprehensive information related to the group's activities is regularly provided to these stakeholders.

The main stakeholders EPSO-G engages with include: Clients: Ensuring customer needs and expectations are met through reliable service and transparent communication. Employees: Fostering a supportive work environment and addressing employee concerns and professional growth. Labor Unions: Collaborating on employee rights and working conditions. Shareholders: Providing clear and detailed information on financial performance and strategic direction. Foreign Partners: Engaging with operators of energy transmission and biomass exchange to enhance international cooperation and operational efficiency. National Regulatory Authority: Complying with regulations and maintaining open lines of communication for regulatory matters. Local Communities: Considering the impact of operations on local communities and ensuring their interests are taken into account. Contractors and Suppliers: Building strong partnerships and ensuring mutual growth and adherence to standards. NGOs: Collaborating on social and environmental initiatives. General Public and Media: Maintaining transparency and providing the public with information about the group's activities and impact.