Environmental Protection in Connection with Conversions and New Construction
Objectives, Measures and Indicators
Description of objective
Implementation of state-of-the-art, innovative new construction methods with energy-optimized design
Description of measures
Increasing focus on high energy efficiency classes and KfW standards
- 2019: 870 new apartments completed for the portfolio in Germany
- Target for 2020: around 900 completions for the portfolio (to hold); 85% in efficiency class A or better (based on primary energy requirements)
- Systematic implementation of the requirements set out in the 2016 German Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV 2016); intelligent construction methods allow us to come in under the base standards stipulated by the EnEV by up to 10%
- Use of renewable energies wherever possible: currently planned for almost 22% of new buildings, otherwise mainly connection to district heating networks that use the most ecological energy sources possible
- For KfW efficient house standards: use of KfW financing opportunities
Target for 2020:
85%
of new buildings completed in line with efficiency class A or better
Environmentally friendly construction
- Use of wood hybrid, steel skeleton and precast concrete construction for densification and vertical expansion using prefabricated parts
In some cases, performance of life cycle assessments during the construction process
Intelligent construction methods and alternative energy supply, e.g.:
- Timber panel construction
- Core insulation
- Solar thermal and PV plants
Description of objective
Implementation of waste management/recycling
Description of measures
Implementation of in-house environmental health and safety regulations
- Numerous environmental protection issues covered by regulations that Vonovia has imposed on itself
Ensuring the proper and professional disposal of (contaminated) materials
- Via specialized subcontractors
- Full documentation regarding the amounts disposed of and the waste fractions, along with proof of disposal and landfill measures
- Certified laboratory analyzes construction components and materials for potential pollutants before they are used
- Coordination of waste disposal schemes with the responsible firms and the authorities
- Monitoring execution on the construction site by qualified expert staff, health and safety officers
Employee training on correct disposal
- Integral part of training for technicians
- Regular training sessions with experts and managers on the proper separation and correct disposal of materials and construction materials
Recycling, especially with regard to windows
- Via external service provider
- For more than ⅔ of all window replacement programs, plastic windows are collected from the building site and processed industrially to make new windows
- Approx. 500 tons disposed of
- Carbon savings through recycling: approx. 800 tons
Approx.
800 t CO2
saved thanks to window recycling
Description of objective
Procuring environmentally friendly materials
Description of measures
Ensuring compliance with common European standards and regulations in procurement
Consideration given to sustainability criteria/the environmental friendliness of raw materials and production processes
- Use of environmentally friendly insulation materials
- Increased use of mineral fiber as an insulation material, pilot project looking at insulation with hemp
- Group-wide introduction of a chlorine-free substance for eliminating mold
- Quality assurance via product manual
Application of the Business Partner Code (see chapter Corporate Governance, Compliance and Anti-corruption)
- Among other things, compliance with environmental protection criteria, traceability of material origin through long-term supplier declaration
- Ensuring that suppliers’ business operations minimize any environmental impact
Involving suppliers to increase quality and transparency in the supply chain
- Direct communication on product characteristics
- Joint product development
- Auditing with regard to sustainability aspects
Installation of energy-efficient electrical appliances in renovation and new construction work
- Electrical appliances for kitchens (stove, refrigerator) meet at least energy efficiency class A standards
- Safeguarded by central purchasing and specifications in product manual
Description of objective
Certification of “green buildings”
Description of measures
As well as focusing on good efficiency classes (A or better), also certification of development projects
- DGNB or TQB certification for selected larger-scale development projects
- Total of approx. 22% of all development projects realized in Germany and Austria awarded a DGNB/TQB label
>20%
of all new building units completed throughout the Group in 2019 are DGNB/ÖGNB-certified (>500 units)
Description of objective
Consideration of state-of-the-art mobility concepts
Description of measures
Promotion of alternative forms of mobility by:
- Reducing the number of car parking spaces
- Expanding car sharing for tenants at various locations in Germany
- Expanding the number of bicycle parking spaces: average of 1.5 parking spaces per newly built apartment
- Creating connections to public transport
- Expanding electromobility
Electromobility
- Every third new construction project provides for the construction of charging stations; another 37% feature empty cable conduits for the future construction of charging stations
- Construction of 30 public charging stations
Charging stations for
every third
new construction project