At Vestas, we prioritize working with customers, local authorities, communities, and other actors in wind farm projects to develop good relationships and invest back in the local community. These relationships are essential for successful and sustainable projects, especially in emerging markets. By working this way, we can nurture a close collaboration with our customers, partners, investors, contractors and with local stakeholders, to focus more on human rights. And by doing this, we can avoid potential negative impacts such as on local livelihoods, community health and safety, straining local resources, etc. We also promote positive impacts such as education, enhanced employability, jobs, and a better understanding of renewable energy.
In 2020, Vestas started reporting on the number of direct community beneficiaries from our community engagement initiatives. Among other topics, our projects tend to focus on skills training, installing solar panels in local health centres, repairing school toilets, and providing locals with cooking stoves. We always consider the results of the Social Due Diligence conducted for the project and our six primary Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) when choosing which community engagement initiatives, in collaboration with the local community and our partners.
Our six primary focus SDGs are: (SDG4) Ensure inclusive and equitable quality and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all; (SDG7) Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all; (SDG8) Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all; (SDG12) Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns; (SDG13) Take urgent action to combat climate and its impacts and; (SDG17) Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.