Ethical guidelines
Gassnova manages substantial public funds, and its activities can have a significant impact on both businesses and society.
Good business practices and high ethical standards are therefore essential to maintaining trust in Gassnova and ensuring the responsible fulfilment of its public mandate.
Purpose
Gassnova’s ethical guidelines clarify the expectations placed on both the organisation and individual employees. The guidelines are based on the principles of the UN Global Compact, the OECD Guidelines on Corporate Governance of State-Owned Enterprises, and the Ethical Guidelines for the Norwegian Public Service.
Scope of Application
Gassnova’s ethical guidelines apply to everyone who represents the organisation, including full-time and part-time employees, management, external consultants, temporary staff and members of the Board of Directors.
Gassnova’s Values
- Integrity – We are loyal and stand by our decisions. We demonstrate professional expertise and independent judgement.
- Respect – We are genuine and trustworthy and take each other seriously. We are inclusive and listen to the opinions of others.
- Courage – We are committed and dare to lead the way. We are curious and develop new solutions.
- Responsibility – We deliver on our commitments and can be relied upon. We are accountable and see our tasks through to completion.
Gassnova’s Ethical Principles
Gassnova is an environmentally responsible organisation
Health, safety and the environment (HSE) are given the highest priority in the planning and execution of activities and decision-making processes. Gassnova operates on the principle that all accidents and environmental damage can be prevented. The organisation has therefore adopted a zero-harm vision for HSE, aiming to eliminate injuries and adverse health effects as well as environmental damage.
Gassnova is a socially responsible organisation
This means that Gassnova incorporates social responsibility into all major decisions and seeks to ensure that its activities and decisions benefit society and its citizens. Gassnova rejects all forms of corruption.
Gassnova sets ethical standards for its suppliers
Our suppliers and contractual partners are required to respect fundamental social and ethical standards in their operations. Products supplied to Gassnova must be manufactured under conditions that comply with the requirements of relevant UN and ILO conventions and applicable labour legislation in the country of production. Where Gassnova’s suppliers engage subcontractors, they must commit to passing on the ethical requirements associated with the delivery and ensuring compliance with these requirements throughout the supply chain.
Gassnova is a centre of expertise in CO2 management
Gassnova operates at the intersection of policy, markets and technological expertise. The organisation must maintain high standards of integrity through a clear understanding of its role and responsibilities, ensuring that all assessments and recommendations are firmly grounded in professional expertise. Gassnova must also handle confidential and sensitive information entrusted to it securely and responsibly.
Gassnova is a forward-looking organisation
Gassnova contributes to developing solutions to tomorrow’s energy and climate challenges. This means that the organisation must base its advice and decisions on comprehensive, long-term assessments to ensure robust solutions and the efficient use of public resources.
Gassnova is a state-owned enterprise
As a state-owned enterprise, Gassnova and its employees must comply with the Ethical Guidelines for the Norwegian Public Service. These guidelines are based on universally recognised ethical values and principles, including fairness, loyalty, honesty, reliability, truthfulness and treating others as one would wish to be treated. The guidelines are intended to help maintain public trust in the Norwegian public administration.
Ethical Guidelines for Individual Conduct at Gassnova
Gassnova promotes health, safety and the environment
Gassnova’s management shall actively promote awareness and engagement in health, safety and environmental (HSE) matters throughout the organisation and among individual employees. All Gassnova employees have a personal responsibility to comply with applicable HSE requirements.
The organisation’s HSE objectives and responsibilities are set out in the HSE Principles Document and Gassnova’s HSE Handbook.
Gassnova fosters a positive working environment
Gassnova employees shall contribute to a positive and collaborative working environment by treating colleagues, partners and customers with respect and consideration.
Concerns about, or corrections of, inappropriate individual behaviour shall be addressed through the immediate manager, in a private setting and with an opportunity for the individuals concerned to explain their perspective and clarify the circumstances. Mutual respect and individual integrity must be particularly safeguarded in such situations.
Employees must refrain from speaking negatively or critically about colleagues to third parties. Speak directly to the person concerned, rather than about them.
Gassnova exercises moderation and cost awareness
Gassnova employees shall exercise restraint and sound judgement in all financial matters and must not misuse or waste the organisation’s funds under any circumstances.
Gassnova complies with confidentiality requirements
Gassnova employees must maintain the confidentiality of sensitive and confidential information and prevent unauthorised access to such information.
Employees must exercise caution when discussing internal matters to ensure that conversations cannot be overheard by unauthorised individuals. Such matters may concern technology, finances, public authorities, suppliers, partners or individuals.
Gassnova promotes the greatest possible degree of internal openness in information sharing, while ensuring compliance with confidentiality requirements.
Conflicts of interest and independence
Gassnova employees must avoid situations in which the organisation’s interests conflict, or could reasonably be perceived to conflict, with their personal interests.
Employees must not act in ways, or assume responsibilities outside the organisation, that could undermine confidence in their impartiality.
Employees must be fully transparent with their immediate managers about any circumstances that could affect their impartiality. Every employee has an independent duty to report circumstances that could give rise to doubts about their impartiality.
Gifts, hospitality and expenses
Gassnova employees must not, either on their own behalf or on behalf of others, accept or facilitate the receipt of gifts, travel, hotel accommodation, hospitality, discounts, loans or other benefits or advantages that are, or could be perceived as being, capable of influencing the performance of their official duties.
Where hospitality is a natural part of, or is associated with, work-related meetings, employees may accept reasonable hospitality within the limits established by applicable government rates.
Hospitality must not be the primary purpose of a meeting without prior approval.
In cases of doubt, the matter must be referred to the employee’s immediate manager.
Gassnova rejects corruption
Under no circumstances shall Gassnova or its employees offer, provide or accept payments, benefits or advantages that could be perceived as improperly influencing decisions or actions.
Gassnova promotes transparency
Gassnova strives to maintain a high degree of transparency regarding its activities, use of public funds and achievement of results. Greater transparency can help prevent inappropriate decisions and conduct that raise ethical concerns.
Gassnova’s management encourages employees to discuss openly any dilemmas relating to potential corruption, conflicts of interest or impartiality.
Gassnova complies with laws, regulations and internal policies
Gassnova employees must comply with all applicable laws, regulations and internal policies at all times and contribute to ensuring that the organisation operates in an ethically responsible manner.
This also applies to personal conduct while travelling or carrying out assignments on behalf of Gassnova.
Employees must also refrain from engaging in activities outside working hours that could undermine confidence in their suitability for their roles at Gassnova.
Alcohol and substance misuse
Gassnova employees must not be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs while at work. Limited amounts of alcohol may be served on special occasions where appropriate, provided that alcohol consumption is not combined with activities that are incompatible with its use.
Gassnova promotes health, safety and the environment
Gassnova’s management shall actively promote awareness and engagement in health, safety and environmental (HSE) matters throughout the organisation and among individual employees. All Gassnova employees have a personal responsibility to comply with applicable HSE requirements.
The organisation’s HSE objectives and responsibilities are set out in the HSE Principles Document and Gassnova’s HSE Handbook.
Gassnova fosters a positive working environment
Gassnova employees shall contribute to positive working relationships by treating colleagues, partners and customers with respect and consideration.
Concerns about, or corrections of, inappropriate individual behaviour shall be addressed through the immediate manager, in a private setting where those concerned have an opportunity to explain their perspective and clarify the circumstances. Particular care must be taken to safeguard mutual respect and individual integrity in such situations.
Employees must refrain from speaking negatively or critically about colleagues to third parties. Speak directly to the person concerned, rather than about them.
Gassnova exercises moderation and cost awareness
Gassnova employees shall exercise restraint and sound judgement in all financial matters and must not misuse or waste the organisation’s funds under any circumstances.
Gassnova complies with confidentiality requirements
Gassnova employees must maintain the confidentiality of sensitive and confidential information and prevent unauthorised access to such information.
Employees must exercise caution when discussing internal matters to ensure that conversations cannot be overheard by unauthorised individuals. Such matters may concern technology, finances, public authorities, suppliers, partners or individuals.
Gassnova promotes the greatest possible degree of transparency in internal information sharing, while ensuring compliance with confidentiality requirements.
Conflicts of interest and independence
Gassnova employees must avoid situations in which the organisation’s interests conflict, or could reasonably be perceived to conflict, with their personal interests.
Employees must not act in ways, or assume responsibilities outside the organisation, that could undermine confidence in their impartiality.
Employees must be fully transparent with their immediate managers about any circumstances that could affect their impartiality. Every employee has an independent duty to report circumstances that could give rise to doubts about their impartiality.
Gifts, hospitality and expenses
Gassnova employees must not, either on their own behalf or on behalf of others, accept or facilitate the receipt of gifts, travel, hotel accommodation, hospitality, discounts, loans or other benefits or advantages that are, or could be perceived as being, capable of influencing the performance of their official duties.
Where hospitality is a natural part of, or is associated with, work-related meetings, employees may accept reasonable hospitality within the limits established by applicable government rates. Hospitality must not be the primary purpose of a meeting without prior approval.
In cases of doubt, the matter must be referred to the employee’s immediate manager.
Gassnova rejects corruption
Under no circumstances shall Gassnova or its employees offer, provide or accept payments, benefits or advantages that could be perceived as improperly influencing decisions or actions.
Gassnova promotes transparency
Gassnova strives to maintain a high degree of transparency regarding its activities, use of public funds and achievement of results. Greater transparency can help prevent inappropriate decisions and conduct that raise ethical concerns.
Gassnova’s management encourages employees to discuss openly any dilemmas relating to potential corruption, conflicts of interest or impartiality.
Gassnova complies with laws, regulations and internal policies
Gassnova employees must comply with all applicable laws, regulations and internal policies at all times and contribute to ensuring that the organisation operates in an ethically responsible manner. This also applies to personal conduct while travelling or carrying out assignments on behalf of Gassnova.
Employees must also refrain from engaging in activities outside working hours that could undermine confidence in their suitability for their roles at Gassnova.
Alcohol and substance misuse
Gassnova employees must not be under the influence of alcohol or narcotic substances while at work.
Limited amounts of alcohol may be served on special occasions where appropriate, provided that alcohol consumption is not combined with activities that are incompatible with its use.
The Ethical Guidelines Consist of Four Parts:
- Gassnova’s Values describe the values that should guide our work and interactions within Gassnova and underpin the organisation’s reputation.
- Gassnova’s Ethical Principles describe the foundations on which the organisation’s ethical guidelines are based.
- Ethical Guidelines for Individual Conduct at Gassnova describe, based on the organisation’s ethical principles, the attitudes and conduct expected of each employee in the performance of their daily duties.
- Implementation and Follow-up describe the responsibilities of management and individual employees in ensuring compliance with the guidelines.
Implementation and Follow-up
Management Responsibilities
Gassnova’s managers have a particular responsibility for ensuring compliance with these guidelines. Promoting ethical conduct is a management responsibility, as managers have a significant influence on the organisation’s culture and standards of behaviour through their words, actions and leadership style.
Gassnova’s managers are responsible for ensuring that employees are familiar with the ethical guidelines, creating the best possible conditions for compliance and leading by example.
Gassnova’s managers are responsible for ensuring that activities within their areas of responsibility are carried out in an ethically responsible manner. They must also provide guidance or, where necessary, actively seek advice on the interpretation of relevant laws, regulations and provisions.
Individual Responsibilities
Gassnova employees are personally responsible for familiarising themselves with the ethical requirements set out in this document and ensuring that they perform their duties in accordance with these requirements.
They are also responsible for staying informed and up to date on applicable laws, regulations and provisions governing their daily work.
Whistleblowing
Employees have a duty to raise concerns about misconduct or other unacceptable practices observed or identified within Gassnova and have the right to report such matters through whistleblowing procedures where necessary.
Such matters include circumstances that employees become aware of through their employment and that may violate laws, regulations or internal guidelines, or conflict with generally accepted standards of responsible or ethical conduct.
Whistleblowing should only take place after an attempt has been made to address the matter through normal reporting channels or, alternatively, through employee representatives, HSE, quality or HR functions, or established employee consultation bodies within the organisation.
Responding to Enquiries from the Media and Others
Employees must not make statements to the media without prior clearance from the Chief Executive Officer.
To ensure coordinated communication with external stakeholders, Gassnova has established a dedicated procedure for handling general enquiries about the organisation and all media requests.
Gassnova has a dedicated External Relations Department, which must always be involved in preparing key messages before any contact with the media.