An opportunity, instead of an obligation
Despite EU plans: Brüninghoff believes in sustainability reporting with specific objectives
Brüninghoff Group resolutely speaks out against the plans of the European Union to relax the rules for companies in relation to mandatory reporting. While the EU intends only to make sustainability reporting compulsory in future for companies with more than 1,000 employees, Brüninghoff is strengthening its commitment to comprehensive sustainability objectives and transparent reporting. “Our sustainability efforts are not only motivated by legal requirements, they stem from a deep-seated business conviction” explains Frank Steffens, CEO and Managing Director at Brüninghoff.
Sustainability has always been an integral part of Brüninghoff Group company philosophy. The company sees the decision by the EU to relax the rules in relation to mandatory reporting as sending out the wrong signal which will only make it more difficult to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. “While it goes without saying of course that we fundamentally welcome any efforts to eliminate red tape, it does not effectively support the climate objectives to impose restrictions on the reporting obligation in this way. We also firmly believe that companies can only achieve success in the long run by actively practising their sustainability policies – and we need a tangible pool of data for this” explains Steffens.
The sustainability report as a tool
Rather than viewing the sustainability report as a bureaucratic burden, Brüninghoff sees it as a valuable instrument for documenting and improving its own ecological and social performance. Isabelle Rumpenhorst, sustainability consultant at Brüninghoff points out: “The report strengthens our credibility in the eyes of customers, suppliers and banks. It proves that we take our responsibility seriously and actively work towards a worthwhile future.” The report not only increases transparency, it also supports continuous improvement and in particular the objective measurement of sustainability activities internally at the company.
Sustainability as a guide for long-term marketing strategy
Despite the planned EU changes, which means that around 80 percent of companies that were previously under the obligation to report are now exempt, Brüninghoff is adhering to its principles. “We firmly believe that only companies who anchor sustainability in their philosophy will also hold their position in the market in the coming decades” Steffens explains. Brüninghoff considers that by gearing its strategy towards sustainability it is well equipped for the future and firmly believes this will also give it a decisive competitive advantage in the coming decades. “Even if construction methods geared towards the circular economy and reduced CO2 emissions are currently not standard, they must become the standard. After all, there is no alternative to the transformation in the building industry. CO2 emissions and primary materials are still ‘too cheap’” explains Dr. Jan Wenker, Group Director Sustainability & Innovation at Brüninghoff. This will change as primary resources become more scarce and more expensive. Concepts for a functioning circular economy which are already cost-effective today, will then become highly profitable.
The group of companies has therefore set itself specific sustainability objectives: these range for example from significantly reduced CO2 emissions – also by increasing in-house production of electricity from renewable energy sources – to improving the recyclability of the prefabricated components. In terms of materials, Brüninghoff is systematically using recyclates and establishing value-added chains with partners to promote the use of recycled concrete (resource-saving concrete). The group of companies is therefore already succeeding in retaining products in the circular economy today, and also in driving sustainability forwards in the building industry.
As a planning, manufacturing and contracting group of companies, Brüninghoff has acquired a holistic overview of the construction industry and the construction process in particular – which are ideal prerequisites for real lifecycle analyses. This holistic overview also makes it possible to identify potentials more quickly and initiate and implement changes more effectively which ultimately contributes to promoting sustainability. The work and commitment for this objective and documentation of progress: this is transparently summarised in the sustainability reports – they therefore represent an opportunity and important instrument for long-term future-oriented corporate strategy.