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Corporate Sustainability

Intelligent building means taking responsibility

As an international construction company, we build for generations and we shape worlds – with and for people. Sustainable action is a key component of our responsibility towards society and also serves as the foundation for our success. It gives us a clear competitive advantage and encompasses all economic, environmental and socially relevant aspects.

Our Strategy

PORR builds today for tomorrow

Due to the high consumption of energy and resources in the construction industry, the impact of business activities on society and the environment is both high and diverse.  The Sustainability Strategy (ESG strategy) derived from the Group strategy is based on continuous stakeholder dialogue, the results of the materiality analysis and current and future regulatory requirements.

Eight central fields of action with clearly defined goals, measures and KPIs for 2030 form the strategic framework for driving forward PORR's sustainable transformation measurable and with clear targets by 2030. The strategy is based on the three pillars of Environmental, Social and Governance and takes into account company-specific opportunities, risks and the impact of CSRD as well as the expectations of key stakeholder groups.

Environmental

We focus on future-oriented building.

Social

We focus on the wellbeing of every staff member.

Governance

We strive for sustainable economic success.

Fields of Action

Targets

Measures

PORR is taking responsibility and actively shaping the ecological transformation of the construction industry - through climate-conscious construction, responsible use of resources and clear environmental goals along the entire value chain. At its centre is a clear commitment to a low-emission, circular and biodiversity-friendly understanding of construction.

PORR's seven central environmental goals include: decarbonising the construction industry, acting sustainable construction sites, developing the value chain into a value cycle, minimum standards in responsible procurement, protecting biodiversity and natural habitats, improving water use and raising awareness for sustainability in all areas of the company.

  Field of Action Target KPI Measure
Sustainable Construction
Commitment to ecological and environmentally friendly building		 SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION SITE Act as a sustainable construction company EU taxonomy key figures
  • Further development of minimum standards for sustainable construction sites based on recognized certification systems
  • Integration of comprehensive life cycle assessments into construction operations
  • Minimum recycling rate for construction site waste
  • ESG & EU Taxonomy as standard in client consulting and project development
BIODIVERSITY Protect and promote biodiversity In preparation
  • Location-dependent protective measures on construction sites and PORR offices
  • Biodiversity and soil resource conservation catalog for construction sites
  • Realise demand-oriented mitigation measures
WATER Improve efficient use of water Water-Intensity Ratio
  • Gray water instead of fresh water
  • Development of individual site concepts
  • Catalogue of measures for efficient water use
RAISING AWARENESS Operational integration through recipient- focused and topic-specific training programm Training implementation quota
  • Group-wide knowledge building in the area of CS to promote decarbonisation
  • Strengthening ESG expertise in the area of sustainable construction at every level of the construction process
  • Practical environment training to promote the circular economy, biodiversity and water management
  • Targeted training for lead and local buyers with a focus on sustainable procurement
 
Responsible Use of Resources & Energy DECARBONIZATION Emission reduction by 2030 Scope 1 + 2
  • Alternative fuels and electrification for construction equipment, machinery & fleet
  • Energy transition with green electricity
  • Climate-friendly real estate
  • Optimized mixing processes
  • Lower-emission materials & transport
Scope 3
  • Avoid – reduce – recycle waste
  • Extending the life cycle of operating resources
 
Holistic
Circular Economy 		CIRCULARITY Further development of the value chain into a value cycle Internal recycling usage rate
  • Research and innovation projects on the circular economy
  • Introduce digital tools to measure and control material and waste flows on construction site
  • Roll-out of work instructions for efficient use of resources and choice of disposal company
  • Improving resource utilization and choice of disposal company
  • Expansion of PORR's internal recycling
SUPPLY CHAIN Minimum standards in procurement along the supply chain Supplier Engagement Index
  • Roundtables with suppliers on circular economy
  • Revision of the sustainability criteria catalog for procurement and recyclability
  • Improvement of supplier-related data

Construction is a people business - and people are the foundation of our success. PORR creates a working environment based on trust, participation and reliability.

On the other hand, a good working environment begins with lived values. The five PORR principles - Reliability, Shoulder to Shoulder, Appreciation, Passion and Pioneering spirit - characterise the way we work together and unite over 20,000 employees from more than 84 nations into a strong community.

At the centre of this is the goal of creating long-term prospects: through attractive working conditions, comprehensive health and safety standards, lifelong learning and genuine equal opportunities - for all employees at PORR and along the entire value chain.

  Field of Action Goal KPI Measure
We live our PORR principles ATTRACTIVE WORKPLACE Increase staff satisfaction Participation rate in staff satisfaction survey
  • Conduct employee satisfaction survey every two years
  • Advertise the survey and increase acessibility
 
Best Place to Work ENGAGEMENT Increase the sense of belonging and attachment to the workplace Engagement Index Active involvement of employees through needs-based provision of measures
SAFETY & HEALTH
  • Providing a safe working environment on the construction site
  • Proactive prevention and health promotion
  • LTIFR
  • Quota of external workers following the PORR-GSM*
  • Quota of home markets with health survey
  • Preventive protective measures based on Safety Walks
  • Protective measures based on Safety App+ (accident management)
  • Raising awareness through ongoing training and instructions
  • Ensure external workers comply with PORR's health and safety management system
  • Conduct the health survey every two years
  • Provide needs-based health management in every home market/
  • Implement OHM quality standards in the DACH region
 
Foster Talent & Lifelong Learning EDUCATION AND TRAINING
  • Skills building for managers
  • Implement a development compass
  • Graduation rate Leadership Academy
  • Share of home markets with development compass
  • Application, follow-up and optimisation of the Leadership Academy modules
  • Conception, planning and implementation for technical and strategic realisation
 
Lived Diversity, Performance & Equal Opportunities EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES & WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT
  • Improve perceived fairness
  • Increase proportion of women
  • Equal pay for equal performance
  • 'Fair treatment' assessment in staff satisfaction survey
  • Proportion of women at PORR
  • Proportion of women in management
  • Gender pay gap
  • Trainings on diversity and inclusion
  • Raise awareness of diversity and inclusion with a focus on apprentices
  • Continue the reporting channel for discrimination and harrassment
  • Review digital accessibility
  • Continue the Woment@PORR initative
  • Strengthen external partnerships and targeted employer branding for women in technical professions
  • Conduct equal pay analysis annually and derive measures

Responsible corporate governance creates trust, ensures stability - and is more than just a duty at PORR: it is a conviction that is put into practice. Ethical behaviour, consistent compliance and the protection of human rights form the foundation of sustainable governance and at that are closely linked.

With clear rules, checks, responsibilities and a strong training programmes and control system, PORR creates transparency - both internally and along the entire value chain.

  Field of Action Goal KPI Measure
Clear Commitment to Ethical
Conduct & Compliance		 GOVERNANCE Transparency and ethical conduct "Training on compliance and anti-corruption employees
  • Employee training on anti-corruption and compliance
  • Special training measures for apprentices and industrial staff
  • Anchoring the function of the Construction Compliance Ambassador
  • ISO-37002 for certification of the whistleblowing system
HUMAN RIGHTS Ensuring human rights standards along the value chain Human Rights Incidents
  • Human rights audit
  • Further development of human rights training
  • Increase and Group-wide roll-out of supplier risk assessments for human and labor rights
ESG Strategy

International standards and initiatives such as the UN Global Compact, CDP, respACT, klimaaktiv and the Concrete Sustainability Council are incorporated in the implementaiton. PORR develops integrated solutions along the entire value chain through cross-divisional cooperation and the combining internal expertise - with a clear focus on the circular economy, transparency and fair cooperation. The progress for achieving our targets is regularly evaluated and makes our contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) visible and comprehensible.

Our sustainability strategy is therefore more than just a framework: it is our compass for future-oriented action - as a commitment to future generations and a decisive success factor for a resilient and competitive construction industry.

Sustainability Report

The principles of sustainable corporate management are anchored in the PORR sustainability strategy. The annual sustainability report provides detailed information on project progress, initiatives and successes:

Report
Annual and Sustainability Report 2024 Construction in Motion
To Report
Home of Construction
Annual and Sustainability Report 2024 All important key figures and forecasts summarised in compact form.
To the website

PORR has been reporting regularly on its ESG activities since 2009. Since the 2024 financial year, reporting has been carried out in accordance with the requirements of the EU CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). Since 2018, it has been audited by third parties in accordance with Limited Assurance.

Stakeholder engagement

A comprehensive exchange

PORR's long-term economic success is based on aligning the company's activities with the needs of its stakeholders. An open, regular and target Group-oriented dialogue with all stakeholders promotes a shared understanding of interests, expectations and goals. This makes it possible to recognise impacts (inside-out), risks and opportunities (outside-in) at an early stage.

Stakeholder

We actively involve them in the definition of objectives and development of measures. The exchange of experience takes place both in project management and within the company through cross-company networks, conferences, fairs, workshops, various information channels and much more. Here are a few examples:

  • CR Days & Environmental Network: Specific events and workshops are used to jointly develop projects for the further development of sustainability activities.
  • Stakeholder dialogue forum: This annual event focuses on cooperative commitment to sustainability.
  • Group-wide stakeholder surveys: These include regular evaluation of the materiality matrix and further development of the sustainability strategy,
  • Customer satisfaction: Standardised, digital and Group-wide survey.
  • Procurement days: to raise awareness of sustainable procurement.

Management system

The entire PORR Group is currently certified to the following standards:

ISO 9001:2015  | Quality Management System
ISO 50001:2018 l Energy Management System
ISO 14001:2015 | Environmental Management System
ISO 45001:2018 | Occupational Health And Safety Management System

Further information can be found at Management system.

Rating & Awards

An appreciative environment and motivated employees are the basis for sustainable success. With a score of over 90%, we are among the leaders in staff satisfaction. In addition, international awards, ratings from independent third parties and certificates confirm PORR's commitment to sustainability.

PORR is a member or supporter of numerous initiatives and industry-specific associations and is rated by independent third parties in terms of its commitment to sustainability and assessed via sustainability certificates.


Award

has been awarded the gold medal by the internationally recognised sustainability rating agency EcoVadis. This puts the construction company in the top 5% of rated companies in terms of sustainability and in the top 3% in the construction industry.

 

  • ISS ESG: C+ Prime
  • Eco Vadis: 77/100 points, gold
  • MSCI ESG Rating: AA
  • CDP: B (Climate change)
  • CDP: B (Water security)
  • Sustainalytics: 29.2 points, medium risk
  • GAÏA: 52 out of 100 points
  • ASRA (Austrian Sustainability Reporting Award) 2022 – third place in category “Listed companies except banks and insurances”
  • Recognition for exemplary companies from the Office for Occupational Safety and Health
  • “Employer of the Future” by the German Innovation Institute for Sustainability and Digitalisation
  • Financial Times Diversity Leaders 2022
  • BGF quality seal 2023-2025
  • Universum global seal 2020
  • Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology (BREEAM)
  • Deutsche Gesellschaft für nachhaltiges Bauen (DGNB)
  • Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP)
  • European Quality Association for Recycling (EQAR)
  • EcoVadis
  • Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
  • Österreichische Gesellschaft für nachhaltige Immobilienwirtschaft (ÖGNI)
  • Schweizer Gesellschaft für nachhaltige Immobilienwirtschaft (SGNI)
  • Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)
  • Transparency International (TI)
  • UN Global Compact
  • UN Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEP)
  • Workers Welfare Forum

Do you have a specific question? We’re here for you.

Are you interested in a specific field of action in Corporate Sustainability? Take a look at our initiatives and measures in the areas of Environment, Social and Governance. Our Corporate Sustainability department will be happy to answer any specific questions you may have.

Natalie Schwendenwein Head of Corporate Sustainability