Net impacts on society

GRK has assessed its societal impact using the Upright net impact model. Based on artificial intelligence, scientific research and public databases, the model measures and benchmarks the positive and negative net impacts of companies’ core operations in the framework of four dimensions: the environment, health, society and knowledge.

In practice, the net impact quantifies the benefits and negative impacts caused by the company and assesses whether the company creates more value than it uses resources.

Based on Upright’s analysis, GRK is a net positive company.

Upright’s model is based on machine learning and science. The more detailed methodology is available on Upright’s website. The results of previous years are not fully comparable to the assessment model due to a change made in 2024. In order to achieve comparability, the results should also be restated in accordance with the latest model for previous years.

Nearly all business operations have positive impacts on society, as GRK’s operations are needed for the very sake of the modern society and functioning and people being able to move from one place to another on roads or tracks.

The negative impacts particularly include environmental aspects, such as the use of raw materials, consumption of energy and emissions and waste resulting from operations. Therefore, we take several environmental measures to mitigate these negative impacts.

Examples of GRK’s impacts on society, knowledge, health and environment

Society

• GRK has a positive impact on society by creating jobs and paying taxes, thereby promoting society’s shared resources
• Through its operations, GRK makes it possible for the infrastructure needed by the modern society to be built and kept in order. Thanks to roads, fairways, tracks, bridges and paving, people can travel from one place to another, and logistics runs on rubber wheels or tracks. GRK’s track maintenance operations are also an important part of our positive impacts
• GRK employs approximately 1,100 people and generates tax revenue 

Knowledge

• The rail design services provided by GRK produce new information that enables the construction of lines and improves the safety of infrastructure critical to society

Health

• A bicycle and pedestrian route network facilitates an active lifestyle and has a positive impact on people’s health
• GRK builds and services important civil engineering infrastructure, such as water supply, with a positive impact on people’s health by improving hygiene and ensuring the availability of clean water
• GRK also makes it possible to build telecommunications infrastructure so that people can stay connected
• The benefit of the rail construction business is that it provides people with a safe low-emission method of transportation
• The construction of streets and motorways allows the use of motor vehicles, which in turn negatively affects health due to road accidents and pollution

Environment

• Raw materials, materials and energy used in construction cause emissions and waste
• GRK aims to improve the state of the environment by building projects related to the green transition, for example.
• The construction of the road network and railways affects biodiversity by, among other things, fragmenting ecosystems
• A significant part of GRK’s turnover is generated by the rail business, which is a more environmentally friendly way of moving than cars or air transport.
• Our environmental technology business supports our positive impact as we increase the use of recycled materials and introduce new, low-emission or even carbon-negative products to the market