We walk the talk
At Sweco, we want to maximise the sustainability of our own operations in terms of our own environmental footprint, our social impact, and our corporate governance (ESG).
‘We walk the talk’ on four fronts :
- Our offices: energy-efficient and future-oriented
- Our mobility: smart and low-emission
- Our procurement: sustainable services and products
- Our daily operations: mindful choices in everything we do
Science-based targets
In 2024, Sweco drew up a Climate Transition Plan with a clear ambition, namely to achieve net climate neutrality by 2030 for Scope 1 and Scope 2, representing a 97% emission reduction compared to 2020. Our aim for Scope 3 is a 33% reduction by 2030, 60% by 2035, and 86% by 2040. These targets have been validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Given our continued growth (including through business acquisitions), these targets are very ambitious.
Transparent monitoring and reporting
We track and report our carbon emissions, according to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, supported by our own Future-proofed Business platform. This monitoring is continuously refined to align as accurately as possible with reality. In this way, we can clearly monitor our progress and make adjustments where necessary. Our annual Sustainability Report is a transparent presentation of how sustainable our own operations are.
Mobility policy
Collaboration with colleagues, clients, and partners is crucial for the success of our projects. Given that we have 2,700 employees, this means an awful lot of moving around, which is why we have developed a Sustainable Mobility Policy that we constantly update to reduce our impact even more.
The following are our guiding principles:
- Collaboration is key, so rather than avoiding travel, we want to encourage a flexible work organisation. Staff are free to work from any office they wish, and can also work from home as long as this does not compromise the teamwork or jeopardise the project.
- We want to encourage sustainable choices by offering flexibility but also by promoting alternatives to travel by car, such as walking, cycling, public transport, and shared mobility. Sweco is a frontrunner in offering a mobility budget as an alternative to the company car. Our goal is for at least two thirds of all journeys to take place using sustainable modes by 2030. This would be equivalent to at least 50% of the distance travelled.
- Emissions need to be reduced and, with that in mind, our fleet of commercial vehicles will be fully electric by 2030. We are speeding up the process of replacing all our fossil fuel-powered cars.
- When it comes to international travel, we are committed to minimising the number of flights. We want to opt for alternatives, such as train or car, for short and medium distances whenever possible.
Facility Roadmap to Zero
Sweco Belgium has over 20 offices at home and abroad. We are moving towards broadly sustainable offices through energy efficiency, use of materials, adaptability, and attention to health and well-being.
Our energy strategy is in line with the CRREM methodology and based on clear ambitions:
- fossil-free heating in all buildings
- energy efficiency, with maximum energy consumption of 85 kWh/m²
- CO2 neutrality across all offices, with green energy production matching consumption
- Any remaining consumption exclusively through green electricity suppliers
Our offices are designed with the health and well-being of our employees at heart and the process is based on the WELL Building Standard principles. Because almost all our offices are leased, we are achieving these ambitions by working closely with landlords. Our Sustainable Facilities Roadmap defines the steps that need to be taken to increase the sustainability of each office.
Environmental policy
We want to organise our daily activities – in the office and during events – as sustainably as possible. This is why we are committed to:
- saving energy and water through mindful choices and efficient systems
- the smart use of space through flexible and shared workplaces
- less material consumption by using and recycling IT equipment and furniture for longer and by moving towards paperless offices
- sustainable consumption, with healthy, local, and vegetarian options being available at events and in our canteens
- waste prevention and maximum recycling of unavoidable waste
We bring all these measures together in our Environmental Policy.
Procurement policy
Our sustainability ambition goes beyond our own operations because we want to make our entire value chain sustainable. We expect suppliers, subcontractors, and partners to subscribe to our Code of Conduct and actively contribute to our sustainability goals.
In the context of our procurement policy, sustainability is a decisive factor in the cooperation with our partners. We monitor the sustainability performance of our suppliers and subcontractors and are ready to support them as they develop their own sustainability trajectories.
Sustainability embedded in a comprehensive ESG strategy
Our approach to sustainability is embedded in a broader ESG strategy, in which Sweco formulates its social added value in environmental, social, and policy terms as follows. Sweco Belgium has already had external EcoVadis ESG certification for five years, with a Gold label being awarded each time (2025 is currently being assessed).
Our ESG policy is based on the following priorities, which feature heavily in all our projects and operations.
Environmental
- Climate change: A reduction in carbon emissions and climate risks.
- Energy use: Efficiency and renewable energy sources.
- Water management: A sensible approach to water consumption and to improving water quality.
- Circularity: Waste prevention and a reduction in the use of natural resources.
- Biodiversity: A contribution to the protection of ecosystems and natural habitats, for example by reducing the level of pollutants.
Social
- Working conditions: The safety, health, and well-being of our own employees, our suppliers, and our (construction) partners.
- The promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in our operations and through our projects.
- Employee engagement and lifelong learning.
- Community Engagement: Engagement with, and having an impact on, communities through our projects and social initiatives.
Governance
- Corporate responsibility, ethics, and integrity: Fair business dealings and the prevention of corruption and fraud.
- Compliance: Compliance with legislation and regulations.
- Objective decision-making and delegation of authorities.
- Risk management: The identification and management of risks.
- Transparency: Open and honest reporting and communication.
