Sustainability at Implenia

GRI 3-3

The concept of sustainable development is implemented across all areas and put into practice throughout the company. It is a Group-wide responsibility that touches on all activities and requires the commitment of every employee at all levels. This is why Implenia practises an integrated form of sustainability management.

The Global Sustainability department’s job is to address significant issues in consultation with stakeholders, set Group-wide standards and propose measures and targets for the divisions and global functions. Defined measures are implemented in collaboration with the relevant divisions and global functions.

Responsibility for implementation normally rests directly with operational line managers or with the global functions, rather than with the Global Sustainability Department itself. Each division has at least one person responsible for safety, quality and sustainability. Implenia thus ensures that all business units engage intensively with sustainability issues and works to achieve the goals.

At the beginning of each year, the divisions and global functions work with the Global Sustainability Department to define their annual goals, which are based on the company-wide Sustainability Goals. Over the course of the year, the Executive Committee meets the individuals responsible for the targets at a series of “Touchpoint” sessions. At the first Touchpoint, the annual goals are discussed, amended where necessary and signed off. At subsequent Touchpoints, the progress of implementation is discussed and next steps are defined. This process allows the company to check regularly whether the measures are on course, and to coordinate between individual business units.

Sustainability has been anchored in Implenia’s values since 2009 as an integral part of the company’s strategy. The following timeline shows the most important milestones achieved over the years.

GRI 3-3

With buildings that it develops itself from scratch, Implenia can design and plan sustainably right from the start. In these cases it follows the relevant external guidelines, labels and standards and uses its in-house evaluation tool “Gesamtbewertung Nachhaltiges Bauen” (GeNaB® “overall assessment for sustainable construction”).

With many projects, however, Implenia tenders for private and public sector contracts as general or total contractor, meaning that it has to follow plans made prior to its involvement. In these projects, the environmental impact of the building in its operational phase – energy intensity for example – will already have been largely determined by the client. Implenia can only have an indirect influence here, perhaps by suggesting more socially and environmentally friendly options and materials. Ultimately, however, the decision rests with the client.

When it plans exactly how to carry out the work, though, Implenia still has plenty of opportunity to influence the social, environmental and economic impact of a construction project. The company can make most of the decisions about what machinery to use, how to separate and dispose of waste, and what working conditions should apply on site. However, the emissions produced during construction itself are relatively low compared to the total emissions of a building across its entire life cycle.

As a major buyer of construction materials such as concrete, steel, gypsum, natural stone and glass, Implenia is highly dependent on the availability of these resources; but the company can make a big difference by taking sustainability criteria into account in its procurement. It can favour locally sourced construction materials, or only choose those that have a low grey energy profile. This requires buy-in from the client and a transparent supply chain (see the  Supplier management chapter).

GRI 201-2

Proactive management of opportunities and risks is a crucial element of successful corporate management. Implenia uses a comprehensive Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) system based on integrated processes and clearly defined responsibilities. ERM also helps Implenia assess opportunities and risks relating to sustainability and climate change. 

Implenia has defined a series of five-level impact scales for all risks, ranking them from very low to very high. They cover topics such as finance, compliance, environment, health and safety, and reputation. The probability of a risk occurring is also rated alongside its potential impact.

As a construction and real estate services company with a broad portfolio, Implenia is affected by climate change in a variety of ways. As shown in the table below, climate change brings economic opportunities as well as risks.

Changes in the climate could, for example, prompt a response from customers that increases the number and scope of orders for renovation and modernisation. Measures to mitigate climate change – such as better insulation and renewable energy systems – offer Implenia opportunities to apply its expertise in these areas. At the same time, however, increasingly extreme weather can pose real problems for companies and make it more difficult for them to make plans. 

It is almost impossible from the current standpoint to predict what the ultimate effect of climate change will be on businesses. What is certain, however, is that Implenia needs to prepare for the expected change and be ready for future developments.

When managing climate risks and opportunities, Implenia is guided by the recommendations of the International “Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures” (TCFD)¹.

¹ TCFD distinguishes between transition risks and physical risks. Transition risks include political, legal, technological and market-oriented events that negatively affect companies’ finances and reputations. TCFD defines physical risks as those directly caused by climate change. These include “acute risks”, such as cyclones, hurricanes, storm surges and other weather events. “Chronic risks” are long-term effects such as permanently elevated temperatures or recurring heat waves.

In 2015 Implenia, working with internal and external stakeholders, conducted a materiality analysis based on guidelines set by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The analysis confirmed that the company and its sustainability strategy were on the right track. Two years later the materiality analysis was updated and clarified as part of a management workshop. The last review of the main sustainability issues took place in 2020, when Implenia developed its sustainability goals for 2025.

Based on this analysis, the following material topics were identified in accordance with the GRI Standards:

• Economic Performance

• Anti-corruption

• Anti-competitive Behavior 

• Energy

• Emissions

• Supplier Environmental Assessment

• Employment

• Occupational Health and Safety

• Diversity and Equal Opportunity

• Non-discrimination

• Supplier Social Assessment

• As an international group, it is important for us to share experiences and know-how within and between all business units.
• Clear processes and instructions can help prevent errors and increase efficiency. Owing to the high risks and generally lower margins associated with building projects, efficient and intelligent processes are absolutely critical.

GRI 2-23

Implenia is guided in its sustainability work by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The company wants to help the world achieve these goals. Implenia covers the following SDGs with its sustainability focus areas:

GRI 3-2, 3-3

Implenia has set itself long-term sustainability goals based on a comprehensive materiality analysis with internal and external stakeholders and taking into account the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The current goals have been set for achievement by the end of 2025. To ensure transparency, Implenia uses the goal dashboard to report regularly on the latest status of the work and the degree to which the goals have been met. The dashboard also shows the sub-goals, derived from the main objectives, for each division and global function.