Preventing utility strikes is more than an operational necessity—it’s a measurable contribution to public safety, environmental sustainability, and economic resilience. Geomatikk’s coordinated field services model not only protects underground infrastructure but also significantly reduces carbon emissions, financial costs, and service disruptions. In this article, we take a closer look at the environmental and societal value behind the numbers.
The Problem with Legacy Models
In traditional excavation planning, multiple utility providers often send different field technicians to survey the same site. This leads to duplicated trips, excessive vehicle emissions, and increased risk of accidents due to miscommunication and delays. Each asset strike can result in:
- Emergency excavation and repair
- CO₂ emissions from machinery and transportation
- Public service outages (telecom, electricity, water)
- Traffic delays and productivity loss
- Reputational and legal risks for all parties involved
Geomatikk’s Coordinated Model: One Visit, Multiple Protections
Geomatikk replaces fragmented efforts with a single coordinated visit: one field technician, one site
clearance, all networks protected. This model leads to dramatic reductions in both risk and
environmental impact.
In 2023, Geomatikk is estimated to have:
- Conducted over 100,000 utility surveys across the Nordics
- Mapped and protected more than 50,000 kilometers of underground infrastructure
- Prevented an estimated 1,500 utility strikes, based on industry-standard strike rates (1-2 per 1,000 jobs)
The Environmental and Economic Payoff
Each avoided utility strike has cascading benefits:
- CO₂ Emissions Avoided: ~10 tonnes per strike (emergency excavation, transport, machinery)
- Cost Avoidance: €3,000–€7,000 in direct repair costs
- Total Societal Cost Avoidance: Up to €200,000 per strike
(based on EU infrastructure strike studies and UK industry benchmarks, including i3P and the Geospatial Commission, which estimate societal costs at up to 29x the direct repair cost)
Estimated Annual Impact:
| Impact Area | Estimated Value |
| Utility Strikes Prevented | 1,500 |
| Direct Cost Savings | €4.5–€10 million |
| Societal Cost Avoidance | €30–60 million |
| CO₂ Emissions Avoided | 15,000 tonnes |
Scaling ESG Impact through Operational Excellence
These results are not incidental. They are the product of a business model designed for efficiency, risk prevention, and sustainability. Geomatikk’s ISO 14001 certification and science-based climate targets further reinforce its commitment to minimizing Scope 3 emissions and contributing to national and European climate goals.
What’s Next
Geomatikk is currently exploring ways to strengthen ESG reporting and impact emotion through:
- Improved operational data collection (e.g. CO₂ saved per trip)
- Integration of digital tools for emissions tracking
- Partnerships with municipalities and clients to track shared sustainability outcomes
