Skanska makes the Europe Climate Leaders 2022 list

Skanska has been recognised as an international leader in sustainability, as the construction and development group has been included in the Europe Climate Leaders 2022 list published yesterday.

With 2015 being the reference year, to date the company has reduced its own carbon footprint by 46%.  By 2030, Skanska aims to reduce its own direct and indirect carbon emissions by 70% and its emissions indirectly caused by its operations by 50% in its project development operations, to reach net-zero across its value chain by 2045.   

The Europe Climate Leaders 2022 list, compiled by data insight firm Statista and published yesterday in the Financial Times newspaper, recognises over 400 European companies that have achieved the greatest reduction in their core greenhouse gas emission intensity over a five-year period. The companies were chosen following a rigorous review of data from the actions taken to reduce emissions.

“At Skanska we have a long-term experience in taking measurable actions for sustainable development,” said Jacob Møller-Nielsen, executive vice president, centre of excellence, Skanska commercial development business in CEE. “Sustainability is part of Skanska’s strategy as an enabler of greater value creation.”

ESG aspects are embedded in the full lifecycle of Skanska’s projects, starting from considerations before the purchase of land, through selection of climate-smart building materials and design that includes circular economy rules, to installing environment and user-friendly fit-outs and ensuring efficient operations of projects.

Office buildings designed and constructed to ESG principles

Skanska’s office buildings are designed and built in accordance with ESG principles, Møller-Nielsen.  said. The company develops office spaces that support health and safety of users and visitors, applies the highest ethical standards while requiring the same from its subcontractors and suppliers, implements climate-smart solutions at each stage of the building lifecycle and contributes to the development of local communities and supports their needs. “By doing so, we’re working towards achieving our own sustainability aspirations and help our customers, tenants and investors to fulfil theirs,” he said.   

The company started its journey towards sustainability 25 years ago. In 1997 it started disclosing information about its impact on the environment with dedicated environmental reports that by 2002 had evolved into sustainability reports covering all three aspects of ESG. Since 2019 these aspects are included with the annual results in Skanska’s annual and sustainability report, reflecting their growing strategic importance.

Skanska’s climate targets are accredited by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which confirms that the company is contributing to achieving the Paris Agreement goal of keeping global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius.