Akademiska Hus has long worked systematically with sustainability, where it is an integral part of both operations and strategy. As part of the company’s financial sustainability efforts, Akademiska Hus, together with Handelsbanken, has developed an updated Green Bond Framework.
The updated framework has been reviewed by S&P Global Ratings, which considers it to be aligned with ICMA’s Green Bond Principles and has assigned it a Medium Green shading. This assessment reflects that the investments represent important steps in the transition towards a low-carbon society, with particularly strong elements in energy efficiency and renovations.
Stricter climate requirements and defined thresholds
The updated framework includes a clear tightening of climate requirements. Notably, it introduces defined thresholds for embodied carbon emissions that must be met for both new construction and renovations to be eligible for financing under the framework. This strengthens governance towards reduced climate impact throughout the construction process.
Akademiska Hus’ four-step principle has been integrated into the framework, meaning that each project must be assessed based on how the need can be met with the lowest possible resource use and climate impact. In practice, this means that existing premises should primarily be utilised and developed, and that new construction is only carried out when other alternatives are not sufficient.
The framework also includes ambitious requirements for energy efficiency, environmental certification and reduced climate impact in the construction process. For example, new buildings must have lower energy demand than national requirements, while renovations must contribute to clear energy efficiency improvements.
“Through an updated Green Bond Framework, we are taking the next step in our sustainability work and offering investors the opportunity for green financing linked to our most sustainable assets and activities. By introducing defined thresholds for climate emissions and integrating our four-step principle, we strengthen our governance towards reduced climate impact and more resource-efficient construction,” says Erik Florman, Head of Sustainability at Akademiska Hus.
The framework also provides a more in-depth description of Akademiska Hus’ sustainability work, including seven long-term sustainability targets, where the company has, among other things, set a science-based target to achieve net-zero emissions across the entire value chain by 2040.
