Pioneering Standards
Planning & Developing
Implenia is committed to the highest sustainability standards in building and civil engineering. With certifications such as SNBS, DGNB, LEED, BREEAM and Minergie, we design projects that are both responsible and future‑proof. Our expertise contributes not only to implementation, but also to the further development of these standards — helping to advance a sustainable construction and real estate industry.
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Sustainability Standards
A wide range of sustainability standards are applied to building construction. Labels such as SNBS, LEED, DGNB, BREEAM and Minergie make different demands and have their own particular focus. Implenia Buildings had around 55 building construction projects with sustainability certificates under way in Switzerland and Germany in 2025. This is about twice as many as ten years ago. An average of 20 projects have received a certificate every year since 2020. Continuing the pattern of previous years, Division Buildings generated almost half its revenue from certified building construction projects in 2025.
In addition to practical implementation, Implenia actively uses its experience to help develop and harmonise standards. The company is a founding and sponsoring member of the Swiss Sustainable Building Network (NNBS) and in this capacity was significantly involved in the development of the Swiss Sustainable Construction Standard (SNBS).
Implenia’s stated goal was to be developing and building projects in accordance with the highest sustainability standards by the end of 2025. To this end the Real Estate Development business unit decided to plan all its development projects in Switzerland in line with the SNBS standard, regardless of the client.
In Germany, Real Estate Development focused on the German Sustainable Building Society (DGNB) standard. The first building construction sites in Germany were awarded DGNB “Sustainable Construction Site” certification in 2024 (read more).
Sustainability standards are also systematically applied in Implenia’s civil engineering work. In Switzerland, Implenia factors SNBS sustainability criteria into its infrastructure tenders – and at the same time actively promotes the further development of these criteria. In Germany, the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) has developed a certificate for sustainable special foundations sites in consultation with Implenia.
In Norway and Sweden, the company is gaining initial experience with the BREEAM Infrastructure Label (formerly CEEQUAL). Implenia is currently aiming for the “Very Good” rating for two tunnel projects that are helping extend the subway system in Stockholm. Two previous projects – “Hagalund” and “Londonviadukten” in Sweden and “Fornebubanen” in Norway – achieved the “Excellent” rating.
Sustainability certificates in building construction
in number of projects in realisation
SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY
Implenia considers sustainability aspects right from the early phases of project development, and coordinates these with the client.
In large infrastructure projects, government clients often demand high sustainability standards. Thanks to its experience, Implenia is in a position not only to meet these standards, but often to exceed them. This helps the company maintain its competitive edge and build on its market advantage.
When Implenia is mandated to build something for a client, whether as full-service provider, or general or total contractor, the company cannot always influence the sustainability of the project. Nevertheless, our experts are always looking for ways to introduce sustainability concepts and to exceed the existing standards.
Implenia first evaluates the customer’s sustainability strategy and objectives. Our specialists then develop a project-specific sustainability concept based on this evaluation. Using this procedure, Implenia can often incorporate sustainability aspects, even if these were not originally planned by the client. The company managed to do this on a project carried out for an international organisation in Geneva, for example. Implenia aims to expand this active approach systematically throughout the Group as part of its new 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
The Group has been offering services in the fields of building physics, acoustics, sustainability and energy since 2024. Encira uses interdisciplinary approaches and appropriate analytical tools to examine new-build and renovation projects and to develop holistic solutions in these fields.
Its experts analyse the grey energy of buildings, for example, and calculate their greenhouse gas emissions. Using sustainability certifications, circular economy concepts, life cycle analyses and climate risk assessments, Encira supports construction projects across all phases to help the people running them achieve their sustainability goals.
Encira also develops concepts for energy upgrades and operational optimisation, sometimes including in-depth analysis of building physics and acoustics (read more).
DEVELOPING OUR OWN PROJECTS
Implenia Real Estate Development’s decarbonisation strategy in Switzerland
In 2022, Implenia Real Estate analysed its entire portfolio of more than 40 development projects in Switzerland and calculated their CO2 footprint. The review was carried out on the basis of the SIA Energy Efficiency Path (data sheet 2040). With one exception, all the buildings in the portfolio are new-builds, and half of them are wooden or wood-hybrid structures. Analysis focused mainly on the use of non-renewable energies and CO2 emissions.
SIA 2040 covers three areas – production, operation and mobility – taking into account the entire life cycle of a property from its construction to its use, including any replacement investments during operation, and right through to the end of its life.
The comprehensive analysis showed that planned office buildings in the portfolio on average met the SIA 2040 target. Residential buildings, however, revealed potential for improvement, especially in terms of construction methods. Optimisations were subsequently made to individual projects in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The portfolio analysis has enabled Real Estate Development to identify key levers to reduce greenhouse gases and define an ambitious decarbonisation strategy, taking into account the 1.5 degree target set by the Paris Climate Agreement. Real Estate Development has undertaken to cut the operating emissions of all new buildings in its Swiss development portfolio to net zero by 2030. For existing buildings, Implenia aims to hit the same target by 2050.
Emissions from construction processes and materials will be gradually reduced in all new building development projects by 2040. By this date at the latest, Real Estate Development wants lifetime climate emissions from all new construction projects in Switzerland to be net zero.
In order to achieve these goals, Real Estate Development sets a carbon budget for each project at the beginning of SIA phase 2 (the “preliminary studies” phase). This defines permissible emissions for the subsequent development, construction and operational phases. The entire process is continuously monitored to identify and implement optimisation opportunities as early as possible.
An ambitious decarbonisation strategy presents challenges in terms of design, choice of materials and technical systems. Implenia’s experience shows that the earlier and more consistently climate change mitigation measures are incorporated into project development, the lower the additional costs. In the long term, Implenia is aiming for regenerative buildings that not only produce fewer emissions, but even make a positive ecological and social contribution.
Implenia Real Estate Development published a white paper on decarbonising buildings in 2023 in order to make the topic more understandable and accessible. This describes key strategies and levers, as well as serving as a guide for building owners, managers and planners who want to bring decarbonisation into their projects (read more).
“Best Value for CO₂” Method
The “Best Value for CO₂” method was developed as part of an internal research project by Implenia Real Estate. Its objective was to create a practical tool to support the decarbonisation strategy, with a particular focus on embodied CO₂ (grey emissions) in new buildings.
The method enables an approximate calculation of construction costs and embodied CO₂ as early as the initial project phases. It is based on preliminary volumetric sketches as well as selected main element groups in accordance with eBKPH / eCCCBât.
The approach is particularly innovative in that the relevant building components of a project are consolidated into a simple two dimensional graphical representation. This allows cost and CO₂ relevant elements to be identified quickly.
Architects and engineers thus receive an initial analysis from Implenia, helping them to focus on a limited number of key elements. These elements can
- be optimised in SIA phases 21–22 through parametric design and quantity reduction, or
- be optimised in SIA phases 31–32 through the targeted use of low carbon materials based on material benchmarking.
CO₂ Performance Guarantee: An Innovative Approach to Sustainable Construction
The “CO₂ Performance Guarantee” is an innovative contractual approach developed by Implenia Real Estate and represents an important milestone for the real estate industry. It has already been implemented in Switzerland in the “Rue du Valais” project (client: Cham Swiss Properties).
The guarantee defines a binding CO₂ target for the building, which is determined at the end of the design phase. This target is aligned with the technical specifications and the pricing structure of the general contractor agreement.
Upon signing the contract, all parties jointly agree on this CO₂ level together with a specialist appointed by the client. The specialist monitors compliance with the target values during SIA phase 51-52 and confirms them upon completion of the building.
The “CO₂ Performance Guarantee” also defines a capped bonus or penalty for the contractor, depending on whether the contractually defined CO₂ targets are undercut or exceeded.
Social Real Estate
As urbanisation increases and population density rises, the built environment needs to take greater account of current and future social needs. The physical parameters are one factor, but operational and organisational issues, and the way these are perceived, also play a central role in the social sustainability of the real estate industry.
Implenia and Wincasa published the brochure “Real Estate: Driver of Social Dynamics” at the end of 2024. The publication highlights the social demands that are placed on buildings, sites and cities. Based on extensive research and interviews with social sustainability professionals, it defines nine goals and a total of 33 measures designed to help meet social needs more effectively.
SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT AND SPONSORSHIP
As Switzerland’s leading construction and real estate services provider, Implenia believes it has a responsibility to make a positive contribution to society. The company’s commitments in this regard go beyond the real estate and construction industry to embrace culture, innovation and education, as well as social projects. Across all its activities, Implenia attaches great importance to sustainable, partnership-based relationships.
One example of its social commitment is the annual “social project week” for apprentices. In 2025, 14 motivated apprentices from all parts of Switzerland and four accompanying persons spent a week in Jaun, the highest village in the canton of Fribourg. Supported by experienced helpers from the community, the dedicated group carried out numerous small construction projects for the community over the course of a week, including renovating various natural stone walls, a footpath with small stream stones, a wooden bridge, wooden railings and a fountain square.
Implenia follows the highest ethical standards in its approach to sponsorship and donations. Its own competition rules state that the company can only support political organisations or individual politicians if this is done transparently and, of course, within the bounds of statutory regulations. Donations to other organisations must also be openly declared, and not be made with an intention to influence these organisations’ decisions.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Construction work, especially on large sites and infrastructure projects, can lead to problems with noise, dust or vibrations. This makes it all the more important to provide clear information about the local impact of the work. Implenia tries to reduce negative impacts on local people and to encourage dialogue – through consultation during planning, for example, and through regular communication with residents during the construction phase. The company also organises informative guided tours and visits for residents and school children.
In 2025, Implenia, as part of the TELT consortium, worked in partnership with neighbouring communities and organisations to enhance the area around the construction site for the new railway base tunnel between Lyon and Turin. Implenia also provided financial and logistical support for community engagement events (read more).
A new challenge has come more sharply into focus in recent years when projects are completed: the need to create vibrant spaces that bring people together and meet different needs. With this in mind, Implenia, working with Wincasa, has been expanding its range of “community management” services for some time now. Especially in mixed-use sites, this approach ensures that life in residential buildings, offices, hotels and business areas evolves harmoniously.
In Switzerland, Implenia participates in “CAS Reconstruction Ukraine”, which is trying to make a concrete and sustainable contribution to the reconstruction of Ukraine. This training programme helps people help themselves, enabling Ukrainians with a connection to the construction industry to actively shape their country’s future reconstruction. This innovative initiative was set up by Bern University of Applied Sciences BFH, working with the Swiss government and the construction industry.
Implenia partners Canton Vaud’s disability insurance scheme and has recruited several new employees via various reintegration programmes (read more on this).
