Sustainability

Our vision in Speed Fibre Group is to connect the world sustainably by facilitating the evolution of the low carbon economy and support society with services that address the levelling up and well-being agenda's.

Why ESG is important at Speed Fibre Group

Our aim is to create value and long-term rewards for all our stakeholders

We achieve this through our robust ESG strategy and framework which enables us to effectively manage our risks and opportunities.

SFG has identified its most significant ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) concerns and consistently engages with its stakeholders to ensure their expectations are met.

SFG recognises that their environmental responsibilities extend beyond legal and regulatory obligations. While environmental impacts are undeniably crucial and significant, we in SFG, strongly emphasise our dedication to sustainability and making a positive societal impact within the telecoms industry.

In pursuit of this goal, we leverage our services to bolster a more inclusive, informed and empowered society and business community. We believe that fostering collaboration and partnerships is essential for progress, and we actively work to create a network of link-minded businesses and individuals dedicated to sustainability.

By doing so, we aim to empower our stakeholders with the knowledge and resources they need to embark on their sustainability journeys successfully.
As staunch advocates for a circular economy, we see our role as integral in facilitating the transition towards a more sustainable and interconnected business ecosystem.

Supported by a passionate and committed team

Claire M. Murphy has responsibility for sustainability and our ESG practices in the company.

Claire is supported by a dedicated and enthusiastic team of individuals who actively promote and influence the systematic integration of ESG considerations into all aspects of decision making and strategy development within the business. Key influencers in this space include Marie Kearns (Head of HR), Karen Counihan (EHS Officer and Facilities Manager) & Emma Armitage (Corporate Governance and Compliance Co-Ordinator).

About Speed Fibre Group

At SFG, we regard three overarching goals as essential to our operations

Facilitate a Low Carbon Economy

Speed Fibre Group is at the forefront of integrating sustainable practices into its core business strategy, aiming to lead Ireland's transition towards a more efficient, low carbon economy.

Allow for Social & Economic Inclusivity

Speed Fibre Group is deeply committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and supporting the economic growth of diverse communities across Ireland.

Enable Transparency & Positively Influence Society

Speed Fibre Group champions a culture of transparency and ethical practices. The company is dedicated to honest communication with its stakeholders and adheres to rigorous standards of accountability.

Environmental

Committed to managing our business with climate change in mind

At SFG, we strive to minimize our adverse impacts while maximizing our positive contributions. To fulfill this objective, we are taking concrete steps to lower our energy consumption and, in turn, reduce our carbon footprint. We are dedicated to protecting and preserving terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity; minimising production where feasible; and implementing responsible waste disposal practices. Our approach to lessening our environmental impact is comprehensive and all-encompassing.

Through the collective efforts of our customers, partners, employees, and broader community, SFG aspires to champion the principles of a circular economy, not only as a goal but also as an enabler. These guiding principles are meticulously detailed in our suite of environmental sustainability policies. We are ISO 14001 certified: a testament to our adherence to high standards for environmental management systems.

Concurrently, we are actively pursuing ISO 50001 certification, which will further formalise our protocols, measures, controls and procedures governing our environmental practices/management. As part of our journey towards ISO 50001 certification, we have, in 2023, made significant stride in procuring green tariff energy for all our co-location sites. That signifies that nearly 70% of our energy consumption now originates from verified renewable sources.

Our commitment remains unwavering as we continue to source and procure green tariffs wherever possible with the ultimate aim of achieving carbon neutrality in alignment with Ireland’s 2030 and 2050 sustainability commitments.

Environmental

SFG is at the forefront of how society can adapt and change working lifestyles

Our business operations are fundamentally built upon the principle of equitable treatment for all stakeholders, both within the Group and externally. From the outset, our business approach has consistently included the creation of social value for our consumers by delivering high-quality fibre connectivity. At SFG, we firmly believe we can have a meaningful impact on the social dimension of ESG. Our networks support businesses, communities and people who were previously underserved, enabling them to compete on a national and even international scale, while expanding access to a wider range of employment opportunities. The advent of 5G networks is poised to be a driving force in Ireland’s economy, positioning SFG at the forefront of societal adaptation and changing workstyles.

Corporate Social Responsibility

As part of our steadfast dedication to creating a positive influence , we are resolute in our commitment to champion charitable contributions and philanthropic endeavours, not only in the communities close to our heart but also in those beyond our immediate sphere of influence. We firmly believe in the significance of giving back and cultivating meaningful associations with organizations that effect substantial change worldwide.

In 2023, we have launched our company-wide ‘Volunteer Days’ initiative, giving employees with a unique opportunity to actively engage with their local communities and local charities. Through 'Volunteer Days', our team members are encouraged to dedicate their time and skills to initiatives that uplift and support the well-being of the communities we serve. This initiative not only aligns with our CSR goals but also reflects our commitment to fostering a strong bond between our organisation and the communities we touch, resulting in lasting positive impact on society.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Since 2021 we have established a partnership with the Irish Centre for Diversity to demonstrate our commitment to promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and creating a supportive work environment for all our current and prospective employees.

Our dedication to EDI not only enriches our employee engagement and retention in the business but also attracts talent from diverse backgrounds worldwide, as we actively embody these values and behaviours. Our recent achievement of a ‘Silver’ award from the Irish Centre for Diversity in early 2023 stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to this program.

Governance

SFG believe that governance means “doing business responsibly”

Speed Fibre Group has robust processes and policies in place ensure objectivity and clarity on the values and standards which are upheld within SFG

SFG places great value on the evident connection between a company's approach to governance and its ultimate success. For us, we believe that governance is synonymous with conducting “business responsibly” and this fundamental message permeates everything we undertake. Governance forms the foundations of both our strategic and operational sustainability. We are committed to managing the interest and expectations of our stakeholders in a manner that upholds the core tenets of corporate governance encompassing; accountability, transparency, fairness, and responsibility. To ensure objectivity and clarify regarding values and standards upheld within SFG, we have established robust processes and policies.

We recognise the significance of external benchmarking and voluntary disclosure. In the past year, our achievements were underscored by a remarkable 5-star rating, a near-perfect score of 97 out of 100, positioning SFG 1st in our sector in Europe according to GRESB, a globally recognised rating agency. We take immense pride in these results reaffirming our leadership within our peer group.

Furthermore, we have aligned our practices with various ISO certifications, including ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System) and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety), as part of our commitment to ensuring the highest standards in our operations.