We act fairly and transparently in our business and decision making, aiming for a culture where everyone working with us understands that they can speak up and also chooses to do so. We strive for environmentally and socially sustainable supply chains that ensure safe and fair conditions for all. We have zero tolerance for corruption, bribery or any other kind of unethical behavior. Our Code of Conduct is supplemented by the Supplier Code of Conduct, to which all subcontractors, suppliers, consultants, intermediaries and agents must adhere. 

Read more about our ethical business 

We know that diverse and inclusive teams are a key driver for a successful business. We are committed to being an equal opportunity employer, attracting, recruiting and advancing diverse talent to enlarge our talent pool in a traditionally male-dominated industry. We do not tolerate discrimination, regardless of social background, ethnicity, disability, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic. We strive for a workplace free from harassment and bullying. 

Read more about Diversity & Inclusion in Skanska 

The safety of our employees and subcontractors is our highest priority. We address our health and safety objectives with industry-leading standards and safety solutions, coupled with an inclusive culture and leadership focused on systematic performance monitoring and targeted actions. 

The construction industry is associated with unwanted events and lasting health problems that can arise if risk factors are not managed properly. Noise, working in traffic or at heights, vibration, hazardous materials, and lifting operations are risk factors in our everyday work. With clear direction, dedicated leadership, and high standards, we build a solid foundation for safe work. We are strongly committed to providing a work environment where everyone feels encouraged to speak up, to ensure that we work safely or not at all. 

Read more about our healthy & safe environment 

In Skanska, we have been reporting on our environmental impact since 1997—way before it became a requirement and standard. Until 2001, we did it in the form of dedicated "Environmental reports", between 2002 and 2018 in the form of "Sustainability reports" and since 2019, sustainability has been reported jointly with the annual report to demonstrate the strategic importance of the progress we’re making in this area. 

You can find the full history of reports on a dedicated website.

Our goal is to transition to low-carbon construction across all our projects and ultimately reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2045. This includes an interim target to reduce our own emissions (scope 1 and 2) by 70 percent by 2030 and the value chain emissions from our project development (scope 3) by 50 percent by 2030. 

Our climate target is science-based according to the requirements of the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). It has been accredited to be in line with the reductions required to keep global warming to 1.5°C, the goal of the Paris Agreement. 

Read a dedicated article on our global website to learn more about our science-based climate target.

Reducing our climate impact is a responsibility as well as a business opportunity. Actions we take to reduce carbon emissions differ depending on the project and so does the impact of decisions taken throughout the various project phases. Early-stage decisions have a major impact as reducing the use of carbon-intensive materials and creating low-energy solutions greatly reduces the project’s total carbon emissions. 

Skanska has measured and reported carbon emissions since 2008. We use 2015 as the base year for our own emissions (scope 1 and 2). In recent years, we have expanded and improved the quality of our value chain data, with 2020 serving as the base year for value chain (scope 3) emissions. 

Confirmation of the direction we have taken is our scientifically approved climate goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 70% by 2030 and achieving emission neutrality by 2045 by Skanska.

To reduce the embodied carbon footprint in H2Offices Phase I, a Life Cycle Assessment has been performed. All materials being transported to the construction site have been listed and their carbon impact demonstrated.

The H2Offices emission reduction methods:

Scope 1 emission reduced with (direct emissions from owned or controlled sources):
• diesel and electric machinery on the construction site,
• lower use of energy used during construction (in comparison to concept design calculations),
• low emissive HVAC refrigerants.

Scope 2 emission reduced (indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heating, and cooling consumed by the
reporting company):
• lower electricity consumption due to efficient installations (high-quality BMS, elevators, HVAC, and LED lighting),
• lower carbon emissions due to energy from renewable resources purchased and utilization of district heating,
• lower water consumption due to grey water reuse system.

To reduce Scope 3 emissions (all other indirect emissions that occur in a company’s value chain):
• reduction in purchased goods and services – local and recycled materials,
• reduction in business travel if we consider the location,
• low emission from waste.

At Skanska, we take a holistic approach to designing and building low-carbon projects, incorporating resource efficiency, recycling, renewable energy, electrification, and digitalization. The ongoing energy crisis has further sharpened the need for energy-efficient products and solutions. 

We use many solutions to make sure our products are as energy efficient as possible and we constantly push ourselves to go even further, innovate, and find new ways to make our impact lower and lower. For example, the first phase of H2Offices is characterized by energy efficiency in lighting and heating & cooling (HVAC). This helps use the resources responsibly but also optimizes maintenance costs. The building produces 540 tons fewer carbon emissions each year. The building’s energy use is also 37% lower than in the case of a benchmark building in the LEED model.

To limit the amount of energy used in the first phase of H2Offices, most energy-efficient systems were designed:
• the use of LED lamps on all floors reduces energy consumption by up to 66%
• the free cooling system uses the coolness of the outside air, which significantly reduces the energy used for cooling rooms
• chilled beams (do not require power supply)
• building management system (BMS) to manage the building’s use
• lighting systems that adjust the intensity of lighting inside the building to the amount of natural light outside

The building is 100% powered by green electricity. The green energy needs to be purchased for the life of the building for the permanent effect. Thanks to this solution, the operational carbon
footprint can be heavily reduced. Currently, no renewables are installed within the asset, which would decrease grid energy demand.
Green electricity is also used for electric car charging stations.

Improving water efficiency is a key factor in minimizing our impact on the environment. As a construction and development company, we have a major impact on water usage, both during construction and when the building is in use. We have promoted more sustainable water usage by integrating innovative water-efficiency solutions, such as replacing potable water with alternative quality grades where possible. Examples include gray-water systems, where domestic wastewater from bathroom sinks and showers is treated and then reused for non-potable uses such as toilets, or rainwater harvesting systems that are used to irrigate the green spaces around our buildings.

The smart water management system implemented in the first phase of H2Offices results in up to 40% savings compared to buildings with a traditional system. This is possible due to the selection of low-flow water fixtures. This helps use the resources responsibly but also optimizes maintenance costs. 

Moreover, the rainwater is collected in a two-story built rainwater tank on the -3 and -2 parking levels. The captured rainwater is used for irrigation and according to the LEED calculations, covers 97% of the irrigation water needs.

We focus on increasing resource efficiency by reusing and recycling materials and products where we can. We closely monitor and reduce the amount of waste produced in the construction process, aiming at preventing the waste from ending up in landfills and improving efficiency with smarter design, planning, procurement, and logistics. This often goes hand in hand with reduced costs. 

We have been tracking self-generated waste to landfill since 2008 and our target is that less than 5 percent goes to landfill. 

Globally at Skanska, in 2022, 72 percent of total waste was recycled, 8 percent prepared for reuse and 13 percent went through other waste treatments. 

Improving circularity is a stepwise process that requires new ways of working and testing new solutions. In Poland and the Czech Republic, we are preparing for the first circular demolitions of an office building in Warsaw and Prague, which are preceded by in-depth analyses of the design, materials used, and systems installed, which enable the reuse of many materials.

Already during the construction of the first phase of H2Offices, over 91% of waste was either recycled or reused, demonstrating our approach to waste management. 

Moreover, materials used in the construction project have a recycled content with almost 19% (by cost). Steel bars for the reinforced concrete were made of 100% recycled metals. The aluminum facade consists of 75% end-of-life aluminum. The regularly used concrete in some structural materials was replaced with concrete with higher recycled content. Most of the building structure materials were extracted and manufactured locally.

H2Offices uses the below-listed methods to contribute to circularity:
• Using building materials with a high recycling percentage, like steel, and glass – for this building it is ca. 19% of recycled content
• Controlling and lowering amounts of water and energy used – for this building it has been calculated and compared with other buildings
(40% decrease in use according to LEED’s requirements)
• Using high-quality design and materials – H2Offices will remain of high quality for longer and lower operational and maintenance cost
• Building’s lifecycle and flexible design - providing solutions that allow for the building’s reconfiguring and changing the building’s use.

We believe that what we deliver should prioritize the well-being of people and the planet. That's why we offer buildings certified by LEED or WELL, the most respected certification programs in the industry. These certifications demonstrate that a building has met rigorous standards for energy efficiency, sustainability, and indoor environmental quality. For residents or employees, this means a healthier and more productive environment, with access to natural light, fresh air, and other amenities that promote well-being.

In Hungary, H2Offices Phase I was designed with the aspiration to be climate-smart with LEED Platinum certification serving as a roadmap. Not only has the project met the requirements of this certification, but with a rating of 84 points it also topped the score charts among similar buildings in Hungary, thereby setting the bar higher for sustainability standards in the country.

We aim to create spaces with the end user in focus, working with the environment to inspire healthy living. Together with our customers, we apply our expertise to develop insights and help mitigate the risks associated with climate change. When building new office buildings, we conduct local neighborhood analyses or even social consultations to find out what our neighbors lack. In this way, new bicycle paths, playgrounds, and even... basketball courts are created. 

H2Offices represents a unique combination of human- and nature-centered design, emphasizing our belief in the importance of including natural elements in our built environments. The building offers an abundance of natural light, illuminating the workspace, reducing the reliance on artificial lighting, and creating an uplifting environment for its users. At the heart of the complex, a large biodiverse and cozy garden with a lake serves as a tranquil oasis amidst the urban landscape, offering space for relaxation, informal gatherings, or spontaneous brainstorming sessions. The garden serves not only as a calming green environment for the building users but is also accessible to the public.

Further extending the natural elements, green terraces located on the higher floors of the building add unique, garden spaces for occupants to enjoy. These nature-centric features not only offer aesthetic value but also encourage healthier and more sustainable working practices, reinforcing our vision of harmonizing workspace design with nature.

The rooftop running track is a unique addition to the first-phase H2Offices building, providing a panoramic view for the daily training of runners working in the building. They just can simply put their running shoes on and enjoy running on top of the building with a stunning view of Budapest's skyline and beautiful hills...

The values we build reflect our interest in what is happening around us. We are not indifferent to the needs of disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, but also to ordinary citizens who are affected by our activities. In doing so, we use our knowledge, skills, and great teams willing to go beyond their regular duties. 

We want to be a good neighbor

International certification schemes for buildings and infrastructure are increasingly adding social topics to their sustainability assessments and we are aware that certifications make sustainability performance comparable. To objectively verify our efforts when it comes to building healthy places to live and work for all, we use the most respected certification programs. 

Based on our commitment to inclusivity and sustainability,  we place a significant focus on accessibility. To ensure that it is thoughtfully designed and implemented, we collaborate with the social impact company, Access4you, aiming to achieve the highest qualification of access4you® certification in our buildings, starting with the development of Nordic Light Trio. In line with this, H2Offices continued this path, maintaining and further enhancing the high standards of accessibility. 

From the design phase of its projects, we focused on removing barriers to accessibility, ensuring all aspects of our buildings, from the external environment to internal facilities, are friendly to everyone. This includes motorized entrance doors, touchless solutions, wide access paths, dedicated restrooms for disabled people on every floor, and operational support such as sign language interpretation programs and portable induction loops for hearing-impaired persons. Our aim is not just to meet but to exceed the accessibility requirements set by Access4you. This way, H2Offices has also been awarded the Access4You Gold certificate.

Certificates