08.06.2026
Rail Baltic Estonia has been awarded the Silver Level Label of the Responsible Business Index issued by the Sustainable Business Alliance, which recognizes organizations that manage their operations systematically and thoughtfully, taking into account environmental, social and governance impacts.
Achieving the silver level is an important milestone for an organization that is leading the implementation of one of Estonia's largest infrastructure projects, while at the same time becoming an increasingly mature organization.
"Our situation is actually unique. We are an organization with a very high impact, but at the same time we are still on our development journey. From an enterprise that was created as a project organization and essentially started as a startup, we are developing into a stable and mature organization. From this perspective, there is reason to be proud of the silver level. Maturing as an organization takes time, and we are on the right track," said Kärt Mae, Head of Sustainability at Rail Baltic Estonia.
Sustainability has become an integral part of organizational management
In recent years, the company has taken conscious steps to integrate sustainability principles into its management and daily decisions. In 2025, a comprehensive materiality analysis was conducted, which mapped the company’s value chain, key stakeholders, and the environmental, social and governance impacts, risks and opportunities related to the Rail Baltica project. As a result of this work, the organization’s sustainability strategy was completed with specific objectives and an action plan, which creates a clear direction for the company for the coming years.
Rail Baltica's impact extends beyond infrastructure
Rail Baltica is a project whose impact extends beyond the construction of a railway. Its goal is to create a faster, more affordable and more accessible transport connection in the future, which will improve people's mobility, strengthen regional connectivity and increase the availability of goods and services both in Estonia and throughout the Baltics and Europe.
In addition to improving transport connections, the project will create significant new jobs in construction, design and other related service sectors. Rail Baltica will also help to increase Estonia's knowledge and competence in managing large infrastructure projects, modern railway technology and the implementation of environmentally friendly solutions. Over the past year, local entrepreneurs have pointed out that the construction of Rail Baltica will create new opportunities for business development in the regions and help to revitalize the local economy.
As an organization, we are also aware of the potential negative impacts of the project. During the construction period, local communities may experience temporary disruptions, such as noise, dust, traffic changes and access restrictions. Therefore, community engagement, impact assessment and implementation of mitigation measures are an important part of responsible project management. We are also aware of the potential negative environmental impacts of construction activities, which we will try to prevent and mitigate during the construction period and, if necessary, compensate for with long-term measures.
The silver level confirms the right direction
The Silver Level Responsible Business Label is a recognition of the work done so far, but at the same time it is also a confirmation that Rail Baltic Estonia is moving forward consciously and consistently as an organization. In the coming years, we will focus on implementing the sustainability strategy, implementing sustainable procurement principles, developing ESG reporting, and increasing the positive impacts of the project and reducing the negative impacts.
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