ESG Report 2024
Environmental E
Social S
Governance G
Northern Data acknowledges the importance of addressing climate change and seeks to maximize the use of carbon-free and renewable energy in its operations where possible. Following a period of rapid business transformation and expansion, the Group does not currently have a transition plan in place, as it does not consider its business to be at risk of chronic extreme weather events in the short or medium term. As the Group continues to grow and evolve, it will evaluate the appropriate timing and scope for the development of a transition plan for climate change mitigation and ensure it is embedded in its overall strategy and approved by its governance bodies.
Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) is the industry standard for measuring how efficiently a data center uses energy. A perfect PUE is 1.0, meaning all energy goes directly to computing. In 2024, Northern Data Group achieved an impressive PUE of 1.12 at its Swedish data center—well within the "very efficient" range (PUE below 1.2). We work exclusively with colocation partners who maintain PUE levels of 1.2 or lower, ensuring high performance with minimal environmental impact.
In 2024, Northern Data Group’s total data center energy consumption—including usage from third-party colocation partners—reached 906 GWh, up from 787 GWh the previous year. This increase reflects the growing number of data center sites needed to support the deployment of NVIDIA Tensor Core GPUs. Renewable energy was the largest contributor, accounting for 476 GWh (53%) of total consumption. Fossil fuels provided 318 GWh (35%), nuclear energy 76 GWh (8%), and other sources made up the remaining 36 GWh (4%). These figures are based on a location-based energy mix estimate.
Northern Data Group is preparing to report its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in line with the EU’s simplified CSRD proposal (February 2025). We plan to work with a third-party provider using recognized standards to calculate emissions. This will lay the foundation for setting reduction targets, implementing mitigation measures, and exploring high-quality offsetting options — all while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. To reduce our travel footprint, we already offset 100% of CO₂ from business travel booked through TravelPerk’s GreenPerk program. All offset projects are VERRA or GOLD certified, supporting global efforts like reforestation in Cambodia and rainforest protection in Indonesia.
Northern Data Group manages large amounts of hardware. Discarded hardware is managed by deciding whether it can be remarketed, refurbished, recycled, or must be disposed of. The Group's hardware lifecycle program aims to extend the life of end-of-first-lifecycle assets whenever possible, reducing environmental impact and promoting a circular economy. In 2024 discarded hardware (servers, miners, cables, and other equipment) was mostly sold to resellers, Bitcoin mining businesses, and educational institutions.
We recycle and dispose of electronic waste in full compliance with local and European regulations. In 2024, no significant amounts of hardware were discarded.
Northern Data Group collects and manages employee data to optimize workforce efficiency and ensure seamless operations. In 2024, the company had a year-end headcount of 199 employees, up from 145 in 2023, with an average headcount of 177 compared to 144 the previous year. Voluntary employee turnover decreased from 25% in 2023 to 17% in 2024. The workforce composition in 2024 remained balanced, with the majority of employees being male, while a significant portion were female, reflecting the consistent gender distribution from the previous year. In terms of age, a large proportion of employees were between 30 and 50 years old, with a healthy mix of younger and more senior employees. Regional distribution continued to favor Europe, with a substantial number of employees also based in the Americas.
Northern Data Group encourages every employee to fully develop their personal and professional ambitions. To support this, the Group offers competitive salaries, flexible working hours, and professional development opportunities as part of its recognition strategy. Exceptional performance is rewarded through a performance framework, with quarterly reviews that feed into the appraisal process to track progress and determine future goals. A performance based bonus is part of the employee remuneration and is calculated annually.
Northern Data Group invests in world-class office spaces and organizes regular social events, end-of-year celebrations, and regional programs tailored to each location. The Group has a Well-being Calendar designed to foster a healthy, inclusive, and supportive work environment throughout the year. During 2024, new initiatives were introduced each month aimed at promoting physical health, mental wellness, diversity, and community engagement. From insightful interviews on International Women’s Day to the energizing Step Challenge, the Group celebrated and supported its employees in various meaningful ways.
The Group provides benefits, including pension plans, death-in-service cover, accident insurance, well-being programs, and private medical cover. Northern Data also has a complimentary and confidential Employee Assistance Program available to all employees.
The professional and personal development of employees is very important to Northern Data Group. The Group has in place a program of continuous reviews and target-setting cycles as well as a training budget available to each employee. In addition, Northern Data Group offers self-study training courses in a wide range of business and professional topics through an e-learning platform.
At Northern Data Group, we prioritize the safety of our people, property, and the environment. Our HSE management system ensures safe workplace practices through clear policies and procedures. The Code of Ethics and Conduct outlines rules for a safe and healthy work environment, while our HSE Program covers accident reporting, cleanliness, first aid, risk audits, training, and contractor qualifications. All incidents must be reported to the Health, Safety & Environment Service Desk, accessible on the intranet. Our Occupational Health and Safety policies are tailored to local regulations at each location.
Northern Data actively fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment where all employees can thrive, feel valued, and be their authentic selves. We have zero tolerance for discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, religion, disability, age, sexual identity, or any other characteristic. We encourage employees to be aware of unwanted behavior and report incidents to the People team or via the Whistleblowing line. The People Team is committed to thoroughly investigating all complaints and taking appropriate action. Regular events and initiatives further promote fairness, equality, and inclusion across the organization.
Northern Data fosters employee engagement through town halls, newsletters, and local events involving senior management. In 2024, the Group conducted its first annual engagement survey, achieving a strong 78% engagement score. Employees shared positive feedback, expressing interest in their work and commitment to the Group’s future. The survey also highlighted areas for improvement, including work-life balance and cross-team communication. Initiatives to address these are already underway. Results were shared with leadership and staff, and the People Team, led by the Vice President People, continues to drive relevant policies and actions across the Group to support a positive workplace culture.
Northern Data Group’s approach to respecting and complying with human rights is set out in its Human Rights Policy. The policy is based on the international human rights principles contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Labor Organization (ILO) Declaration, the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, the United Nations Global Compact, and the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. It applies throughout the Group and covers the topics of anti-discrimination, freedom of association and collective bargaining, a safe and healthy workplace, forced labor, human trafficking, child labor, and working hours.
Northern Data Group is committed to ethical conduct, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility across its global operations. The Supplier Code of Conduct sets clear expectations for suppliers, vendors, contractors, and partners. It emphasizes respect for human and labor rights, environmental protection, and fair business practices. Suppliers must provide safe, inclusive workplaces and treat all workers with dignity. In cases of human rights violations, access to remedy is expected. As a leader in cloud services, data centers, and crypto mining, Northern Data ensures its supply chain reflects these values. The Global Procurement team oversees supplier awareness and adherence to the Code.
Northern Data Group upholds high standards of business conduct through strong governance and its Code of Business Conduct & Ethics. The Code applies to all employees, suppliers, customers, and partners, covering areas such as health and safety, anti-discrimination, conflicts of interest, confidentiality, and compliance with laws. It is available in German, English, and French on the Group’s intranet. All employees receive mandatory training and must confirm adherence. Ethical values are embedded across operations and regularly reviewed. Confidential reporting mechanisms are in place for all stakeholders, ensuring transparency, integrity, and accountability throughout the organization.
The Group has in place an annual Compliance Training program covering a range of topics such as occupational Health & Safety, information security, and insider trading. The program is reviewed annually and includes additional minimum compliance training requirements for new joiners. In 2024, 89 percent of employees completed the training (2023: 98 percent). The Group is targeting a 95 percent completion rate in 2025.
Northern Data Group is committed to the highest standards of ethics and integrity across all areas of its business. The Group’s global Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy prohibits bribery, corruption, and unethical conduct, and applies to all employees, subsidiaries, and third parties. Political contributions of any kind are strictly prohibited. To support a transparent and accountable culture, all employees are required to report potential risks or violations, including breaches of the Code of Conduct. A secure Whistleblowing System enables employees and external stakeholders to report concerns anonymously and confidentially. In 2024, five cases were reported, with four investigated. Compliance is led by the Chief Legal Officer, supported by Risk and Legal teams.
Northern Data Group is ISO 27001 certified and committed to maintaining the highest standards of information security. The Group has implemented comprehensive policies to manage cyber risks and protect its digital infrastructure, covering areas such as data protection, threat monitoring, incident response, and vulnerability management. All employees complete annual training on data and information security, ensuring awareness and compliance. The Cyber Security team continues to expand and implement advanced technologies including WAF, SIEM, and NDR. In 2024, no cyber security breaches were reported—underscoring Northern Data’s progress in building a secure and resilient digital environment.