ARIKON AG defines binding ESG targets: Creating added value with sustainability.
Berlin. Berlin-based ARIKON AG is setting an example and assuming a pioneering role in the medium-sized construction industry: In the fiercely competitive construction sector, the medium-sized group of companies has set eight binding targets for a sustainable corporate strategy. With a targeted catalog of measures, ARIKON AG aims to achieve sustainable development on an economic, social and ecological level (Environment, Social, Governance | ESG).
Sustainability concept not yet firmly established in the construction industry
The need for a sustainable approach in the construction industry is underlined by alarming figures on climate pollution: according to a UN report, the construction and building industry is responsible for 38 percent of global CO2 emissions. According to the UN, it is to be feared that environmental aspects in the construction of buildings will even be increasingly neglected in the future. But the message does not seem to have reached large parts of the construction industry so far. Only one in three companies is "prepared for the ESG requirements of the regulators". (Source: PWC study "Digitalization, Sustainability and Corona in the Construction Industry, 12/021). Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christian Meysenburg, founding member of the 'Arbeitskreis Nachhaltigkeit im Facility Management' (Sustainability in Facility Management Working Group), estimates that the number of medium-sized construction companies that have formalized ESG goals is still "dramatically lower".
Ecological and social aspects of entrepreneurial activity
By including ecological and social aspects in its corporate activities, ARIKON AG intends to offer employees, applicants, investors, clients and business partners a broad range of performance variables for evaluating ARIKON AG and its twelve subsidiaries in the future.
The eight ARIKON sustainability goals
The sustainability goals stated in ARIKON's initial report are derived from the sustainability goals of the United Nations' "Agenda 2030" and read as follows:
1) Sustainable Value Creation,
2) Climate compatible action,
3) Holistic Health Care,
4) Equal opportunities and promotion of education,
5) Gender equality and empowerment,
6) Sustainable growth, full and productive employment, decent work,
7) Promoting participation and partnership networks for sustainable developments and
8) Resilient infrastructure, sustainable industrialization and forward-looking innovations.
Sustainability as an indicator in the selection of subcontractors and suppliers
According to a research publication by DZ Bank AG, only 20 percent of construction companies currently take sustainability aspects into account when selecting subcontractors. ARIKON AG is different. It wants to successively sensitize partners and suppliers to the topic of "sustainability" through dialog. With subcontractors and suppliers, a policy of guidelines (e.g. with regard to waste treatment) that is adapted to the company and economically justifiable but consistent is to be agreed. When awarding contracts in the future, preference will be given to partners who, together with ARIKON AG and its customers, pursue sustainable value creation.
Economic value creation in a sustainable and equitable context
Dierk Homeyer, Head of ARIKON Corporate Communications and Corporate Development, emphasizes: "We see significant potential in the area of subcontractors and suppliers. As a medium-sized company, we are fundamentally convinced that long-term economic value creation can only exist in a sustainably designed and fair context with partners. This is part of our DNA as the ARIKON Group, so to speak."
External expertise opens up view of strengths and weaknesses
ARIKON AG developed and defined the sustainability targets in cooperation with Christian Meysenburg and Thomas Heidelberger from REICON Consulting GmbH. According to Dierk Homeyer, bringing in external expertise proved to be useful: "The view from outside was very important for us; also to calibrate our strengths and weaknesses within the ESG area."
Sustainable orientation becomes a necessity for SMEs
Falk Huneke, Managing Director of the ARIKON subsidiary ProProjekt GmbH and ESG Officer of the group of companies: "We are currently experiencing dramatic developments in many areas that prompt us to operate in a positive cycle with the environment. In the end, it is only a question of time until other medium-sized companies follow our sustainable orientation of the corporate strategy. In the development of appropriate adaptation strategies, we are happy to assist with our expertise and cooperation partner REICON in creating solutions in an advisory capacity."
The direct contact person for sustainability at ARIKON is Falk Huneke,
Telephone: 030/38 39 76-48, eMail: falk.huneke@arikon.de
For more information on ARIKON AG's sustainability goals, please visit:
www.arikon.de/arikon-nachhaltigkeit/
A short portrait of ARIKON AG:
Under the motto ‘Competence creates solutions’, the ARIKON Group brings together several independent companies that offer their solutions individually or as a package. ARIKON AG plays a key role in this regard. As a mainly nationally active general contractor, its field of activity covers the planning and construction of buildings, civil engineering structures and all types of engineering structures, including all related activities.
Beyond the field of construction, the group of companies offers a comprehensive range of services related to the topic of "solution development as a group".
The ARIKON Group is headquartered in Berlin and has additional offices in Hamburg, Darmstadt, Genshagen, Cottbus and Passau.
www.arikon.de
REICON
Immobilienmanagement | Reicon Consulting GmbH | Berlin (reiconsulting.de)
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christian Meysenburg
As a founding member of the 'Sustainability in Facility Management Working Group', Christian Meysenburg played a key role in the development of GEFMA Guideline 160 and the certification system based on it. Management concepts, consulting and peak coverage in technical and commercial management of real estate and portfolios, execution of tenders and consulting in special topics of real estate and facility management, especially in the field of sustainable FM, are just some of his competences.
Dipl.-Wirt.-Ing., Dipl.-Ing., IPM (ebs) Thomas Heidelberger MRICS
Thomas Heidelberger brings more than 20 years of experience in the real estate industry. He is the founder and managing director of REICON Consulting GmbH and the strategic head of the company. Through his previous positions at Sirius Facilities GmbH, Deutsche Bahn AG, BRANDI IGH, Valad Germany GmbH and as Managing Director at Verifort Capital, he specializes in operational project, property and asset management.
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