We promote culture, growth, and learning

The year 2025 has once again marked a significant step on our journey towards an even more sustainable Otava. For us, sustainability is not a separate project. It is an integral part of our identity – the promotion of culture, growth and learning. We would like to extend our warmest thanks to our stakeholders and all Otava employees who contributed to this effort.

Although legislative changes over the past year brought uncertainty, we feel that the development as positive. For us, clearer regulation provides an opportunity to strengthen our work and demonstrate that sustainability is a strategic choice – not merely an obligation. In the challenging global situation, we want to emphasise transparency and concrete actions.

In this Sustainability Review, we will tell you about the Group’s sustainability efforts. Some of our Group companies disclose in-depth information about their actions in sustainability reviews that are prepared in accordance with the VSME standard. These reviews provide a clear and business-oriented overview of their sustainability performance. This is how we maintain transparency and ensure that our stakeholders are provided with relevant information about our progress in sustainability.

Although this review looks at the past, we keep our eyes on the future above all. We believe that sustainability will continue to serve as the foundation of competitiveness and trust going forward. In 2026, we will renew our sustainability efforts to better respond to achanging world. We will do this openly and in dialogue with our stakeholders: sustainability is a promise that we make to every reader, learner and partner.

Together, we can achieve more.

Alexander Lindholm
CEO, Otava Group

The past year has strengthened the role of sustainability as an integral part of the Otava Group’s day-to-day operations. The changing business environment, regulatory uncertainty and increasing stakeholder excepctations have required us to keep a close eye on developments, anticipate change and continuously improve – and in all these areas, we have taken steps forward.

The 2025 Sustainability Review compiles information on both Group-level efforts and the performance of individual Group companies. With the introduction of separately published, company-specific VSME reports, we are now able to provide an even more detailed picture of how sustainability is reflected in the daily operations of different business areas. Transparency and continuous improvement will remain our core principles in our sustainability communications.

Our sustainability efforts are built on practical actions, but above all on a shared commitment. I would like to thank all Otava employees and partners who advance this work every day.

Minna Karlsson
Sustainability Manager, Otava Group

The Otava Group’s sustainability is based on our values: responsibility, quality, boldness and closeness. The Group’s sustainability themes are derived from these values and are divided into four main categories: societal responsibility, environmental responsibility, social responsibility, and financial responsibility and good governance.

Societal responsibility

Otava’s business is founded on freedom of speech and expression. We are creating the foundation for a pluralistic, democratic society by engaging in responsible journalism, publishing diverse and multi-voiced literature, and ensuring that people can still write, publish and distribute literature in Finland.

We promote education and the vitality of the Finnish language by providing relevant, high-quality and entertaining content for a variety of audiences through multiple channels. The learning materials we produce offer all schoolchildren in Finland an equal opportunity to learn.

Environmental responsibility

We aim to minimise harmful environmental impacts throughout our operations. We make considered use of materials and strive to maximise the recyclability and lifecycles of both the materials we use and the products we make. We invest in developing digital products, taking their environmental impacts into account.

We calculate our carbon footprint and are working to reduce our emissions.  To minimise environmental impacts across our value chain, we engage in active dialogue and cooperation with our partners.

We promote education and the vitality of the Finnish language by providing relevant, high-quality and entertaining content for a variety of audiences through multiple channels.

Social responsibility

We aim to be a good employer, partner and customer. We promote equality and diversity both within our workplaces and in society at large. We encourage our employees to work, learn and develop together, and offer them a broad range of wellbeing services.

We are committed to promoting human rights, equality and equity. We have clear policies in place for reporting and addressing harassment and inappropriate behaviour for our employees, partners and customers.

We use data and artificial intelligence responsibly, taking data security and protection into account, and provide our personnel with the required training.

Financial responsibility and good governance

We aim to create economic wellbeing through forward-looking and profitable business activities. We want our business to benefit Finnish society, and we pay our taxes in Finland. We are a significant employer and promote the development of existing and new business models, while safeguarding the economic operating conditions of the sectors in which we operate.

Our way of operating is defined in our Code of Conduct, which our personnel and management follow in their daily work and decision-making. We also require our partners to act in accordance with our Code of Conduct.

Sustainabilty management

The Otava Group’s Board of Directors reviews sustainability objectives and the related action plan as part of the company’s strategy.

Ownership of sustainability lies with the Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO), who reports to the Group Management Team. The Sustainability Steering Group decides on sustainability matters affecting the entire Group. The Sustainability Manager is responsible for Group-level operational sustainability work. Sustainability coordinators in the business areas ensure that the Group’s sustainability policies and projects are implemented in practice.

Our way of operating is defined in our Code of Conduct, which our personnel and management follow in their daily work and decision-making.