Sponda’s Sustainability Review 2021 – company’s energy efficiency and climate targets were achieved
Sponda Ltd Press release 13 April 2022 at 9.30 a.m.
Sponda’s Sustainability Review 2021 – company’s energy efficiency and climate targets were achieved
Sponda, one of Finland’s leading real estate asset management companies has published its Sustainability Review for 2021.
Despite the challenging operating environment, the report reveals how the company managed to meet and exceed its energy efficiency and climate targets for 2021 and was the highest-ranking company in Northern Europe in its peer group for the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) assessment.
“Sustainability is at the heart of all our operations. This review articulates the value of our comprehensive sustainability work for our employees, customers and wider stakeholders,” says Christian Hohenthal, Sponda’s President and CEO.
Highlights from the 2021 review include Sponda gaining environmental certifications for all of its shopping centres, the development of two new solar power plants, and the launch of a wind farm cooperation which means all of Sponda’s properties now use renewable electricity. Sponda has also recently committed to the Science Based Targets climate initiative (SBTi) and the sustainable demolition green deal to promote the circular economy.
As part of its climate roadmap, Sponda’s latest sustainability initiative is to promote a carbon neutral city centre. The in-use energy consumption of the two shopping centres in the Helsinki city centre, Forum and Citycenter, has been carbon neutral since March 2022.
Nine years of GRESB success
The Sustainability Review also shines a light on industry trends, comprehensive sustainability management and reporting indicators. Among other things, Sponda has decided to report on its EU taxonomy eligibility, even though it is not yet required to do so.
“ESG and taxonomy criteria are increasingly influencing the decisions of investors and tenants. We want to be open about how our operations meet the criteria for sustainable development and show our stakeholders how we can also contribute to their sustainability targets,” says Pirkko Airaksinen, Sponda’s Head of ESG.
In 2021, GRESB ranked Sponda among the most sustainable companies in its sector for the ninth time in a row. Sponda was the highest-ranking company in Northern Europe and the second highest in Europe in its peer group for the GRESB Standing Investments assessment. For the GRESB Development assessment, Sponda was the third highest ranking company in Europe. The HR consultancy firm Eezy Flow also recognised Sponda with the Finland’s most inspiring workplace award, which is an acknowledgement of the company’s determined investment in corporate culture and employees.
Airaksinen concludes: “We are proud of this progress and the recognition it has resulted in. We are setting high standards and we hope it will encourage and inspire other businesses to do the same, and we are already looking forward to another year which sees us innovating and investing strongly in sustainability”
Sponda’s Sustainability Review 2021 can be downloaded from Sponda’s website.
Sponda Ltd
Further information:
Anita Riikonen, Marketing and Brand Manager, tel. +358 40 833 3804, anita.riikonen@sponda.fi
Sponda Ltd is a leading real estate asset management company in Finland specialising in owning, managing, developing and letting commercial properties in the largest cities across the country. With a focus on customer-oriented solutions and high-quality properties, Sponda is actively developing best practice in the sector, enhancing the cityscape in a sustainable way and supporting its customers. www.sponda.fi/en.