EnvironmentalProtecting climate and resources
For the preservation of our livelihoods. We are committed to environmental protection and focus on targeted research and development. With our climate strategy, which is regularly updated, we want to make a contribution to mitigating the negative effects of climate change. In all our decisions, we keep current environmental issues in mind - whether increasing scarcity of raw materials or the threat to biodiversity: we develop solutions, initiate countermeasures and thus assume responsibility.
Construction in MotionAnnual and Sustainability Report 2024
Decarbonisation
With energy-efficient projects and the targeted reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, PORR is making a measurable contribution to achieving global climate targets. The Group-wide 2030 decarbonisation plan and the science-based targets as part of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) form the strategic framework for this. Seven central levers - including the electrification of machinery, the use of low-emission construction materials, the energy transition with green electricity and optimised construction processes and logistics - are driving the transformation towards a climate-conscious construction industry in a targeted manner.
CO2 in focus
Climate change and its consequences are among the greatest challenges of our time and for all future generations. The climate is evidently changing. The trend is clearly pointing towards strong global warming with devastating consequences. The clearest signs of this are increasing extreme weather events with destructive power.
We are aware of our responsibility for the climate: a significant proportion of CO2 emissions in the construction sector are caused by the high energy and resource requirements from the extraction and processing of raw materials, the transport of building materials, construction site operations, administrative infrastructure and waste disposal activities. Energy requirements are currently largely covered by fossil fuels.
Our emissions
In order to make the company's impact on climate change measurable, a greenhouse gas statement (GHG statement) will be prepared annually from 2024 in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol). This statement includes all greenhouse gas emissions along the value chain for which PORR is responsible. In addition to carbon dioxide (CO2), other greenhouse gases are also recorded in accordance with the Kyoto Protocol, which are reported in total as greenhouse gas equivalents (CO2e).
The GHG statement forms the basis for emission reduction targets and measures. It enables a detailed inventory of emissions, the identification of potential for improvement and continuous progress measurement. This systematic recording is a central building block for the transformation towards emission-reduced business processes.
Committing to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)
By officially committing to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in December 2024, PORR is underlining its long-term commitment to climate protection and reducing emissions in accordance with scientifically sound guidelines.
- Scope 1 and Scope 2 target: Reduce absolute GHG emissions by 43% by 2030 (baseline year 2024). This target is in line with the 1.5-degree target of the Paris Agreement.
- Scope 3 target: Reduce absolute GHG emissions by 25 % by 2030 (baseline year 2024). This target is in line with the 2-degree target of the Paris Agreement.
Our seven levers for decarbonisation
PORR has developed a comprehensive climate transition plan to achieve the decarbonisation targets by 2030. It forms the basis for integrated measures along the entire value chain. Regulatory requirements, technological developments and market dynamics are taken into account and regularly adapted on the basis of the latest scientific findings.
At the centre are seven strategic levers that have been identified through interdisciplinary cooperation between PORR's central departments. They address the company's main sources of emissions and define measures for the continuous reduction of CO2e emissions. Implementation is supported by the strategic evaluation of sustainable technologies.
Sustainable Construction Site
All measures come together on the construction site - this is where it is decided how consistently sustainability is put into practice.
This is why processes, standards and technologies are continuously being developed: for example, by expanding the charging infrastructure, using low-emission machines and achieving high recycling rates. In addition, life cycle assessments enable the project-specific recording and optimisation of emissions and the use of resources.
A Group-wide standard for sustainable construction sites - based on recognised certification systems - creates transparency, simplifies implementation and enables individualised services for clients. Sustainability thus becomes concrete and measurable along the entire construction process - for clients, the public and the environment alike.
This makes PORR an experienced implementation partner for EU taxonomy-compliant construction and CO₂e-reduced construction sites - traceable, project-specific and in line with regulatory requirements.
Further development of minimum standards
Further development of minimum standards for sustainable construction sites according to recognised certification systems. The Sustainable Construction department is dedicated to the certification of sustainable construction sites, among other things.
The aim of this initiative is not only to ensure and further develop ecological and social standards, but also to communicate these visibly to customers, partners and the public. One major step forward was the development of a Group-wide, uniform standard that facilitates and harmonises the certification of construction sites. From 2025, it is planned to gradually extend this approach to other PORR home markets. The measure aims to make our own activities within the value chain more sustainable and to clearly emphasise the importance of sustainability along all processes.
Life cycle assessmentComprehensive
The aim of anchoring comprehensive life cycle assessment in construction operations is to systematically record and optimise the environmental impact of construction projects.
To this end, a standardised and comparable LCA standard is being developed for construction sites that enables transparent measurement of emissions and resource utilisation at project level. This creates the basis for well-founded decisions on reducing the carbon footprint and increasing efficiency in internal processes. At the same time, the measure fulfils the increasing requirements of customers and regulatory verification obligations. Through consistent implementation, it makes a significant contribution to improving environmental performance and fulfilling external requirements.
Supply ChainSustainability begins with procurement
Sustainability begins with procurement. PORR defines clear minimum standards for its supply chain for the procurement of low-emission and recyclable materials.
Compliance with social, environmental and quality standards applies to the entire supply chain at PORR. In order to make this complex supply chain transparent, we are in close contact with our suppliers and subcontractors. With over 80% local procurement, PORR strengthens regional value creation, reduces emissions and pays attention to environmental and social standards among its partners in the supply chain. From initial contact with customers through the tender and construction phase to handover, good cooperation with all parties involved is crucial for us. Through dialogue formats such as roundtables, we strengthen our shared understanding of sustainability with suppliers.
Sustainability criteria cataloguefor procurement and recyclability
The Group-wide Sustainability Checklist for Procurement is being updated in order to track and evaluate the environmental impact along the value chain. This will enable procurement flows to be managed in a more targeted manner in future.
The revision is due to be completed in 2025. The following priorities will be set:
- Promoting circular economy: materials and products should be procured in such a way that they can be reused, recycled or otherwise returned to the production cycle at the end of their service life. This includes the use of recycled materials and planning for the dismantling and reuse of components.
- Reduction of environmental impact: By including ‘CO2’ as a fourth purchasing criterion, the environmental impact of construction projects is to be reduced. This includes the reduction of GHG emissions, the minimisation of waste and the conservation of natural resources.
- Transparent supply chains: The supply chains for building materials should be transparent and sustainable. This means that the origin of the materials is traceable and social and ecological standards are complied with along the entire supply chain.
The catalogue of sustainability criteria for procurement provides a detailed overview of the sustainable procurement of materials at PORR. PORR has introduced a supplier audit to check compliance with this catalogue.
Circularity
Circular economy instead of resource scarcity - avoid, reduce, recycle. Produce, consume and then throw it away - that's a concept from yesterday. The future belongs to circular economy. As part of the solution, PORR utilises raw materials and resources multiple times, thereby conserving valuable resources
From construction site waste to recycled product
PORR specialises in processing the largest waste stream in Austria, accounting for around 75% of all masses: construction and demolition waste as well as excavated soil. In our own recycling and treatment plants and through targeted research work, this and industrial waste is processed so that it can be reutilised. In addition, processes for various types of waste and contamination are developed in the environmental laboratory, enabling usable resources to be kept in the economic cycle, the impact of pollutants to be reduced and unusable waste to be disposed of properly. Our aim is to continuously increase the proportion of recycled building materials and further develop resource-saving processes. There are currently around 20 locations in Austria where we recycle building materials. The RCH Recycling Centre Himberg is one of many recycling plants that deal with the processing of construction waste:
PORR is systematically developing its value chain towards a value cycle: through circular design, material-efficient planning and projects such as UP!crete or the gypsum-to-gypsum recycling plant. The aim is to ensure resource-conserving implementation on the construction site - with maximum material efficiency and minimum waste.
Habitats - preserving nature
Biodiversity is essential for our own health and the well-being of future generations. However, the direct sphere of influence of a construction company is limited.
This is because sustainable construction begins even before project development - with spatial planning and organisation. PORR's operating sites are located in industrial estates and not in zones with high biodiversity. As a sustainable construction company, it is important to us to maximise the usability and value of building land.
PORR contributes to increasing biodiversity by greening flat roofs, traffic embankments and recultivating landfill sites. On the one hand, this is achieved by producing substrates from secondary raw materials such as excavated soil and recycled building materials. On the other hand, the structures themselves are equipped with these improvements. We also ensure that the planting is site-appropriate and species-friendly. This not only helps to increase biodiversity (insects, birds and wildlife), but also makes the habitats more attractive for all users.
Protecting and promoting biodiversity
To minimise our impact on ecosystems, any potential environmental effects of construction sites are identified in advance. A few of the measures we take:
- Dust pollution is reduced by spraying
- Noise barriers and silencers ensure reduced noise pollution for neighbours and animals.
- Dimmed and diffuse lighting is increasingly being used to minimise disturbance to bats and other nocturnal animals in particular.
- If there are wetland habitats in the immediate vicinity of the project, these will be watered where necessary or newly created as compensation in advance of the project. In addition, the creation of amphibian migration paths and replacement spawning waters with floodplain turf support the undisturbed behaviour of the animals living there.
- In the course of construction projects, refuges for rare bird species (such as the swift in urban areas) and toad migration barriers or ‘toad tunnels’ are regularly built.
- Orchard meadows planted on 20,000m² of PORR wasteland
bee@PORR initiative - for sustainable living environments
‘If the bee disappears from the earth, then man has only four years to live’ - a famous quote attributed to Albert Einstein. Bee populations are declining dramatically in ever larger parts of the world. With the ‘bee@PORR’ initiative, we are taking important measures to combat bee mortality.
Under the motto "Bee aware and care", we support beekeepers by providing them with space for their bee colonies and purchasing beehives and bee colonies. The holistic aspect of the initiative is important to us. That is why we prefer to use beehives made of untreated wood rather than polystyrene. PORR has purchased some of the bee dwellings ordered for Austria via the ‘Grüner Kreis’, a facility for rehabilitating and integrating people suffering from addictions.
In order to pass on knowledge about bees and their importance to children and adults, the PORR bee educational trail was set up in Monte Laa Park next to the headquarters in Vienna. This can also be downloaded here. The PORR worker bee ‘Sabiene’ explains the most important facts and guides you through the information boards. In this way, we are supporting the sustainable survival of bees and drawing attention to their important role for the entire ecosystem.
Careful use of water
We promote the efficient use of water both during construction and in the end use of construction projects. By constantly optimising technologies and processes, we aim to use water-saving practices and resources.
In order to reduce or avoid the use of fresh water, process water is used as a substitute in many construction projects. Water cycle management offers opportunities for water conservation on construction sites and operating sites. Water can also be saved by regularly checking and maintaining sanitary facilities. We have also installed rainwater basins at some of our sites.
The Water Policy serves as an important operational foundation. In cooperation with on-site contacts at construction sites and operational locations, as well as with technical experts across the PORR markets, the appointed Water Officer regularly evaluates the Group-wide water consumption and progress towards the defined targets. Based on these evaluations, solution approaches are developed to reduce water usage and promote water recycling. These include, for example, measures to improve water efficiency in construction methods, the implementation of water circulation systems in material recycling facilities, and soil and gravel washing plants. If necessary, the catalogue of measures and the Water Policy are reviewed and updated accordingly.
Raising AwarenessMoving Together
Starting in 2025, PORR will expand its training programs in the area of Corporate Sustainability. The goal is to systematically build knowledge across business units and countries and to strengthen awareness of key sustainability topics – particularly decarbonisation, water management, biodiversity, and circular economy – throughout the company.
By 2030, a comprehensive, target Group–oriented training framework will be developed to address all relevant audiences through focused content. With practical learning modules and clearly defined priorities, we aim not only to promote technical expertise, but also to actively shape the cultural shift toward a more sustainable future. Sharing knowledge means securing the future.