The IRCA’s sustaina­bility policy

The role of the IRCA is to promote and support safe, sustainable, efficient and economical transportation, and to make sure that the transportation system evolves in accordance with societal and environmental goals.

Through a sustainability policy, the IRCA makes it a primary objective to incorporate sustainability in all of its operations, be it infrastructure design, construction or operation. The IRCA intends to minimise all disruption and negative environmental impact, maintain professional conduct in operation, create equal opportunities and guarantee safe transportation for all travellers.

This sustainability policy builds on the IRCA’s 2024-2028 general policy, where emphasis is put on sustainability with the tagline – “Sustainability along for the ride.” The sustainability policy is developed in accordance with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and other international sustainability standards.

The IRCA CEO is responsible for the sustainability policy, but certain elements and operations are passed on to defined responsible parties in accordance with a plan of operation published parallel to the policy.

The sustainability policy is built on three main sustainable development foundations: environmental sustainability, societal responsibility, and prosperity-driven, sustainable executive operations, all of which support the others. The policy is carried out in accordance with a plan of operation, which details scheduling of operations, a clear chain of responsibility, and regular monitoring ensuring that policy goals are being worked towards.

The parameters of the plan of operation’s sustainability guidelines are regularly updated. The institution’s environmental and sustainability department is responsible for carrying out these updates.

• Environmental sustainability

The IRCA strongly emphasises minimising negative environmental effects in its operation, reducing the organisation’s carbon footprint through the implementation of a circular economy, and supporting climate-friendly solutions in operations and service.

• Focus is placed on efficient use of material and reduced waste through strengthened recycling and more precise waste categorisation.
• Improvements are being made regarding infrastructure and equipment lifespan through the development of a lifespan, and lifetime-cost-analysis.
• The IRCA is committed to protecting nature and biodiversity by minimising the disruptive effects of it’s operations on the ecosystem. Special emphasis is placed on limiting the spread of invasive flora on the IRCA’s roads and surrounding area.
• To reduce the climate impact of infrastructure, and to increase their resistance, the IRCA seeks to reduce the climate footprint of its operations through using environmentally friendly materials in construction and operations. The transportation system is to be strengthened to resist climate-induced stress, and environmentally friendly modes of transportation are encouraged in order to reduce the transportation system’s environmental footprint.
• The IRCA is committed to an environmentally friendly purchasing policy by prioritising environmentally friendly goods and services, and reducing the carbon footprint of its supply chain. IRCA operations seek to utilise machinery which fulfils environmental standards and increase the ratio of environmentally friendly tools and machinery, in order to reduce fossil fuel consumption and reduce pollution.

• Societal responsibility

The IRCA works to ensure that safe and diverse modes of transportation are available for all those who use the transportation system, which in turn supports greater access to services, residences and workplaces and cultivates stronger ties between regions.

• All infrastructure projects are guaranteed to be designed, constructed and maintained with public safety and health as a priority.
• Work will be done to improve air quality and reduce noise pollution in relation to all IRCA operations.
• The IRCA supports diversity in modes of transportation through the development of infrastructure, and in its operations.

The IRCA guarantees fairness in its work and supports diversity and equal opportunity, irrespective of background, race, gender or other factors.

• Prosperity and sustainable modes of operation

The IRCA intends to create equal opportunity and safe modes of transportation for all travellers.

• The IRCA guarantees responsible shaping of policy, the implementation and adherence in sustainability matters within the institution, and prioritises the communication of information and dialogue with stakeholders.
• Research, development, innovation and investment is to support underlying operational emphasis and project prioritisation.
• Access to service, residency and the workplace is guaranteed through diverse forms of transportation, all around the country.
• The IRCA guarantees education and support for its workforce in order to fulfil the goals and implementation of the sustainability policy.