Sustainability by design
Sweco’s sustainability is mainly determined by our ‘handprint’, in other words, the impact we achieve through our projects. As market leader, Sweco has a responsibility to make all its projects as sustainable as possible by maximising social added value and minimising potential adverse effects. This is something our clients, stakeholders, and employees expect from Sweco, and rightly so. We take an integrated approach to sustainability that is tailored to its relevance for each project.
This approach goes beyond a project’s primary scope and impact because we also focus on the we can achieve together with our clients. Thanks to our broad expertise, we are able to apply this integrated approach throughout the project cycle. This is how we achieve sustainability by design, in other words, projects that are inherently sustainable due to their conception and design.
We are also able to advise, inspire, and guide our clients on sustainability issues. Although the final decision on the extent to which sustainability potential is exploited lies with our clients, our job is to make sure they are given the best possible insights so that they can make an informed choice.
360° approach
There are many definitions and interpretations of sustainability. To provide guidance in this area, we developed a sustainability compass at Sweco that synthesises the most relevant sustainability approaches. In doing so, we supplemented the classic triple-P model (Planet, People, Prosperity) with three additional dimensions that focus on quality, namely those of technical, spatial, and process.
The six dimensions of our compass
Impact on the planet
climate, biodiversity, resilient water systems, healthy soil, air and noise, the responsible use of natural resources.
Impact on people
safety, physical and mental health, social inclusion.
Impact on welfare
life cycle costs and benefits, economic development, a circular and fair economy.
Technical quality
unctionality, useful life, use of materials, energy efficiency, energy security, biophilic design.
Spatial quality
location policy, multimodal accessibility, spatial organisation and experience, cultural identity.
Process quality
resilient processes, sustainable project cycle, collaboration.
Collective multidisciplinary expertise
A sustainable project requires a broad and comprehensive approach. Sweco’s great asset is its collective strength, based on it having experts in a wide range of disciplines and specialisations. We assemble a multidisciplinary project team that is tailormade for a particular project and whose members are experts in all the relevant aspects of sustainability. That team then integrates those aspects into one coherent project strategy, with maximum synergies. This allows us to achieve optimal results within the contours of each project.
Focus on sustainability throughout the project life cycle
A sustainable project requires a consistent focus throughout the life cycle and we can use a typical investment project as an example.
It starts at the start-up (scoping) of a project. The choices made during this phase often have the greatest sustainability impact. Based on the programme of requirements, opportunities, and potential impacts, we define sustainability objectives and strategies in consultation with our client.
In the pre-design phase, we translate these into a combination of sustainable design solutions, whereby we maximise synergies to achieve the greatest possible positive impact. Our broad experience and expertise mean we can properly assess feasibility and expected effects.
During the tech design phase, we elaborate the sustainability solutions in terms of optimal long-term performance and feasibility. Circular principles, energy efficiency, and integrated water management are permanent focal points.
In the permitting phase, a thoroughly substantiated sustainability performance is the recipe for success for a smooth ‘licence to operate’, which leads to demonstrable social added value with the least adverse impact.
During the procurement phase, we communicate the sustainability objectives to potential construction partners. Together with our client, we define performance requirements and trade-off criteria, along with the required degrees of freedom to continue optimising sustainability solutions from the technical and economic perspectives.
During the construction phase, we monitor the correct implementation of the sustainability solutions. We work with our construction partners to optimise the sustainability of operational methods and site organisation. We ensure minimal disruption to the surrounding area.
We pay particular attention to operations throughout the entire design cycle. After all, the sustainability of an infrastructure, structure, or system is primarily determined by its use, and much less its construction. Sustainable asset management enables us to optimise operations, management, and maintenance, including through smart data management and digital solutions. The result is higher performance, longer useful life, and lower costs.
By taking account of long-term adaptability, future repurposing, and end-of-life solutions at the design stage, we can guarantee optimal sustainability throughout the entire life cycle and preserve the value of investments for as long as possible.
We hold regular sustainability assessments during the cycle of scoping, design, realisation, and operation so that we can critically evaluate the extent to which we are achieving the set sustainability targets. This allows us to carry out adjustments where necessary and make the most of the additional insight gained.
Support from Sustainability Coaches, Leads, and Managers
All our experts and project leads are driven to develop sustainable projects together with our clients and stakeholders. This is no easy commitment given that our integrated sustainability approach requires a combination of different areas of expertise, while knowledge and good practices are also constantly evolving. We have built a broad network of Sustainability Coaches, Leads, and Managers within Sweco to provide maximum support to our colleagues, share knowledge, and continuously develop our sustainability-related insights.
Dozens of passionate Sustainability Coaches guide and support their colleagues with the development of the integral sustainability focus in our projects. They make sure good practices are transferred, help share knowledge, and refer to experts where necessary. Our Sustainability Leads coordinate the continuous development of knowledge and state-of-the art tools and solutions within all the sectors and domains in which Sweco operates and tailor them to our clients’ needs and expectations. They also develop internal training courses so that our collective sustainability knowledge can be optimally shared. Finally, our Sustainability Managers make sure that sustainability is firmly embedded in our business strategy and can be optimally translated into our operations.
Our Sustainability Services
Sweco helps governments and companies develop successful strategies to make their policies or operations more sustainable. Our extensive technical expertise provides a solid basis for our results-oriented strategic advice. This allows us to continue providing guidance to our clients as they implement and realise their sustainability strategy at a later stage.
