Sustainability is not a project — it is how we work.
From climate accounting and an electrified vehicle fleet to safe workplaces and inclusion: Ability works systematically with sustainability across every part of the business — for the environment, the people and the governance of the company.
See reports and downloads
Nordic Swan-labelled cleaning, minimal chemical use, food waste reduction, green solutions
1,800 employees from 75 nations. Trade certificates and an inclusive work environment
UN Global Compact, Transparency Act, ISO 14001, anti-corruption
Environment.
Climate and emissions
In 2025 we calculated, for the first time, a consolidated climate account for the entire group, in line with the GHG Protocol. As for most service companies, Scope 3 – purchased goods and services – makes up by far the largest share of our emissions. We have set a target of reducing absolute emissions by 4% annually towards 2030, measured against 2021 as the base year, and we continue to replace financial estimates with actual activity data for an even more precise account.
Electrifying the vehicle fleet
We are continuously replacing our vehicle fleet with electric cars. The target is a 45% share of electric vehicles by 2025 and 50% by 2026. Some vehicles, including cars with fixed-mounted equipment for winter operations such as gritting and snow clearing, still depend on fossil fuel, but we follow the market closely.
Circularity and resource use
We work systematically to reduce the use of plastics and chemicals in our operations. Measures include thinner co-ex waste bags that reduce plastic consumption and transport emissions, waste bags certified with the Blue Angel ecolabel, and the first GOTS-certified textile product in our internal web shop Millum. As a member of Norsirk, we take responsibility for ensuring that the packaging we use is collected and recycled.
Social sustainability.
Equality and diversity
Ability today has around 1,800 employees, of whom 69% are women and 31% men. We conduct pay surveys every other year to ensure that no gender-based pay differences arise, and we work systematically with recruitment, career development and workplace accommodation in cooperation with union representatives. We practise freedom of religion and respect that political views and sexual orientation are each person's private matter – with employees from 75 nations, this is a fundamental part of our culture.
Safe workplaces – HSE
A safe and healthy working environment is a precondition for everything we do. All safety representatives and working environment committee members complete the 40-hour HSE course, and we have introduced a goal that at least one person on every team – often the team leader – should be trained in first aid. Through our incident reporting system we work continuously to learn from events and prevent injuries, with a particular focus on slip and fall accidents.
Competence development
Through our digital training system and our trade certificate programme, we enable employees to build formal qualifications in their own job. We also cover Norwegian language courses for all employees who want them, through Folkeuniversitetet – a concrete contribution to integration into Norwegian working life and society at large.
Community and inclusion
Through the «Ringer i vannet» partnership with NAV and vocational rehabilitation companies, we give people outside the labour market a real opportunity to get into work. The cleaning and service industry is an important gateway into Norwegian working life, and we take that responsibility seriously.
Governance.
Responsible supply chain
As part of our work with the Transparency Act, we conduct annual due diligence assessments of our own operations and the supply chain. In 2025 we have given particular priority to follow-up on pay and working conditions, HSE training and conditions at subcontractors, and we set requirements for all suppliers through self-declarations and ethical guidelines.
The Transparency Act
Ability is subject to the Norwegian Transparency Act. We conduct due diligence assessments to identify and manage risks of violations of fundamental human rights and decent working conditions in our supply chain. Our due diligence assessment is available on request. If you have questions about our work with the Transparency Act, please contact us.
Whistleblowing
Ability has a safe and anonymous whistleblowing channel for employees, suppliers and partners. We encourage everyone to speak up about censurable conditions.
On reporting frameworks
Ability is not subject to full CSRD reporting, but uses the EU sustainability standards (ESRS) and the voluntary VSME standard as a reference to build a solid data foundation and be prepared for future requirements.
Certifications and approvals.
- ISO 9001 / 45001 / 14001Quality, HSE and environment
- Nordic Swan Ecolabel cleaningNordic ecolabel for cleaning services
- NorsirkProducer responsibility for packaging, electronics and batteries
- EcoVadis Bronze MedalInternational sustainability assessment
Reports and downloads.
Our most important documents — open, transparent and freely available.
Contact us about sustainability.
Questions about our sustainability work? Get in touch with Marianne Stople, Head of HSEQ and Sustainability.