Akademiska Hus will become climate neutral
Wednesday, 6 February 2019
Akademiska Hus is now substantially raising the bar for its sustainability by adopting a vision for a zero carbon footprint. The vision will be achieved through climate neutral internal operations and property operations by 2025 and climate neutral project operations by 2045.
The climate issue is one of society’s major challenges. As one of the largest property companies in Sweden, sustainability has been a top priority for Akademiska Hus for more than 20 years, but in order to really take the lead and be a sustainable model, the company is now raising the level of its ambition to make operations completely climate neutral.
“Our new climate targets are on the leading edge of development and will put great pressure on our operations to break new ground and be pioneers in several areas.” At the same time, we want to emphasise that we cannot achieve success in our efforts on our own. The transition is based on many parties cooperating and accepting common responsibility. We are all part of the complex transition that is now taking place on a broad front towards a climate neutral society,” says Kerstin Lindberg Göransson, President of Akademiska Hus.
In order to achieve its vision for a zero carbon footprint Akademiska Hus has set an array of new climate targets. The company will achieve climate neutral property operations by 2025 by increasing its focus on proactive energy measures in existing and new buildings, investing in energy-saving technology and pursuing innovative solutions and projects for renewable energy, supported by digitisation. To achieve the target for climate neutral internal operations by 2025, the company will change its travel patterns through new digital alternatives to physical meetings and review its impact elsewhere, including consumables, refreshments and choice of meeting format.
The greatest challenge
To achieve climate neutral project operations by 2045 Akademiska Hus will follow the Fossil Fuel-Free Sweden roadmap towards a Fossil Fuel-free construction and contracting industry by 2045. Great emphasis will be placed on clear follow-up and control of the impact of the projects, active decisions regarding design solutions, systems and material choices and a clarification of the company’s requirements for contractors regarding execution.
“The carbon footprint from our construction projects accounts for an extensive portion of Akademiska Hus’ total environmental impact and we will need to work harder and longer to achieve our target in this particular area. But with joint forces in the industry and future technological advances, we will get the job done. A crucial question for us will also be to increase the efficiency and appeal of existing buildings so that new construction is not always viewed as the preferable option,” says Kerstin Lindberg Göransson.