No search results.

Sustainability programme

Our sustainability programme lists SRV’s main sustainability themes and their associated long- and short-term objectives. It reflects the requirements placed on companies both in general and in the construction sector in particular. This programme makes it easier to see the big picture and communicate the issues to various target groups. The sustainability programme enables every SRV employee to identify their own role in sustainability development.

The themes of SRV’s sustainability programme have been built around value creation. The themes in this annual report are also presented in accordance with the programme’s structure. Our goal is to ensure that the sustainability programme’s themes support business development and the attainment of SRV’s strategic targets in the best possible way. The sustainability programme is reviewed and updated on an annual basis.

Value for customers

A good customer experience is SRV’s main goal. We want to earn our customers’ trust by operating transparently and engaging in safe, high-quality construction. A customer’s experience of a product’s or service’s responsibility and sustainability is part of this. A satisfied customer whose needs have been understood and fulfilled is a sign of high quality.

Customer experience is the sum of all the experiences that a customer has through various interactions with SRV. SRV aims to provide the best customer experience in the business, and thus every interaction must go so smoothly that the customer is prepared to recommend SRV to others.

Sustainable concepts

SRV seeks to create sustainable concepts that will generate considerable added value for our customers. Concepts enable processes to be steered in a more sustainable direction all the way from the area development stage to use and maintenance. The sustainable operating methods developed during projects will also be used in future projects.

SRV actively communicates the benefits of sustainable business premises to its customers, which in turn helps our corporate customers to meet their own sustainability targets. SRV provides a wide variety of data about our sites for tenants to use in their own development and reporting.

Energy and lifecycle services

Future construction solutions will increasingly highlight sustainability themes. SRV is continuously strengthening its expertise as a lifecycle service provider. In the lifecycle model, SRV as the service provider takes responsibility for project design, construction and maintenance over a long contractual period, typically 10–20 years.

SRV has developed a lifecycle model for its service concept, and has firmly integrated energy efficiency and low-carbon perspectives into this model. The lifecycle property service period offered by SRV includes everything from property management to general and technical maintenance and upkeep. As the service provider, SRV is also responsible for the property’s energy consumption.

Harnessing digitalisation and new technology

We harness digitalisation in all of SRV’s operations: in project development and planning, technical building systems, construction site management, communications and marketing, and the products and services we provide. Making even more extensive use of information models remains one of the key focal points of our digital development.

High-quality and sustainable construction

SRV’s high-quality and sustainable construction hinges on professionally skilled personnel, the will to do things right, and ensuring that all the building blocks of quality are in place. Well-oiled management systems play an integral part in high-quality operations, production efficiency, undisrupted implementation and consistent quality of the end product.

The quality system for SRV’s construction process consists of project-specific quality design, realising and monitoring quality, monitoring results, developing the operating model, and training the employees who implement the system in order to maintain their level of knowledge and awareness. Its practical implementation is supported with model documents and descriptions of operating methods.

Value for personnel

SRV wants to be a safe and equal opportunity workplace with a good sense of community. When you have a good framework in place, it’s easy to focus on both doing the job in hand and personal development. SRV offers opportunities for competence development and on-the-job learning. Competence is developed not only with training but also through a variety of different projects and career paths.

SRV takes care of its personnel’s wellbeing by providing employee benefits, such as comprehensive occupational healthcare, sports and cultural vouchers, insurance cover and (for salaried staff) lunch benefits. The staff club organises leisure activities, and holiday cottages and apartments are also available for personnel to use.

Internal communications seek to support a united SRV and a standardised way of working. It is important to make new and important issues visible to everyone, so that we all know where we are at and where we are going. Internal communications share information, keep personnel up to date, and help everyone to act in accordance with SRV’s policies and guidelines. They also aim to encourage open feedback and lively discussion.

Our goal is zero accidents

SRV’s safety activities are based on exceeding legal requirements and being a safety pioneer in the construction industry. We also require the same standard of operations from our subcontractors and other partners. In occupational safety, SRV’s operations are steered by the Group’s health and safety policy. Our certified occupational health and safety management system (ISO 45001) helps to ensure compliance with operational standards.

SRV’s long-term target is to reach a level of zero accidents. The short-term target is to reduce the accident frequency by 10 per cent every year. In our own operations, we have committed to practices that are in line with these targets.

Safety is a top priority for SRV’s management and safety organisation. Management takes a continual interest in occupational safety and its supervision. Corporate executive safety inspections form part of management’s commitment to the company’s safety efforts. During one of these inspections, management will observe working methods, risks related to machinery and equipment, the working environment, site cleanliness, the clarity and availability of instructions, and the general level of safety and safety management.

Safety-conscious planning and preemptive risk assessment form the basis for occupational health and safety work on construction sites. Site cleanliness and proactive safety observations enable a safe working environment. High-calibre induction also has a significant impact on improving the level of occupational safety. During induction, everyone working on a site will receive all of the essential information about the company, the site and its special features. SRV’s induction material has been translated into six languages. Following these guidelines prevents accidents. Everyone has both the right and obligation to look out for their own and others’ safety.

SRV Network Register and induction play an important role

Maintaining transparency in our operations and having sufficient information about our partners helps us to fight the grey economy effectively. Effectively combating the grey economy also requires systematic access control and contract chain management. The SRV Network Register was developed to administer client responsibility documents, to manage contract chains, and to monitor employees’ right to work. It is one of the most concrete tools available to construction sites in their fight against the grey economy.

On-site safety monitoring is continuous. TR measurements (in the building construction sector) and MVR measurements (in civil engineering) are carried out on a weekly basis to regularly assess risks and conditions on construction sites. All of the safety issues detected during these measurements must be marked as rectified by the parties responsible.

Important human rights in the sector

In accordance with its Code of Conduct, SRV is committed to respecting human rights. Human rights are best promoted by example and through supervision in the supply chain. A company’s human rights impact and risks strongly depend on its sector and products.

From the perspective of SRV and the entire construction industry, the most significant are the right to life and the right to health. Compared to other sectors, construction work carries a higher-than-average risk, and this poses a threat to the life and health of employees. Local residents’ right to life and health must also be ensured with regard to, for example, dust management, noise management and site traffic. For our customers, product responsibility is another aspect of protecting human rights.

Bans on slave labour and forced labour are also fundamental human rights. Slave labour and forced labour have not disappeared and can even be encountered in Europe. It is possible that slave labour or forced labour involving serious restrictions of freedom and other non-voluntary elements occurs somewhere in the supply chain. Debt to an employer and the confiscation of ID documents can be a sign of exploitation.

The protection of personal security protects people from physical or mental threats against their person. For example, bullying and harassment (including sexual harassment/abuse) in the workplace, or threats and harassment towards minorities.

The right to just and favourable working conditions covers things such as appropriate working conditions and appropriate terms and conditions of employment. Risks in this area include life- or safety-threatening working conditions or employees not being properly paid for their work.

Principles of equality and non-discrimination run through all human rights norms. These principles require that human rights are ensured for everyone regardless of their personal characteristics (such as gender, ethnic background, religion, etc.). Examples of situations relating to these principles include discrimination in recruitment, compensation, promotion or customer service.

Everyone at SRV is treated equally regardless of gender or gender identity, language, religion, nationality or ethnic origin, opinions, family relations, age, union or political affiliations, and health. Discrimination or harassment is not tolerated under any circumstances. The equality plan is part of our HR plan, which is updated annually.

Value for partners

SRV’s success is also tied to the success of others in our partner network. A shared and sustainable way of working is crucial. SRV provides supervision, training and support for subcontractors and partners, so they can internalise sustainable working methods. We also keep them informed of, for example, amendments to occupational safety legislation. We adhere to official procurement procedures in the management of new suppliers and existing supplier relationships, and the SRV Network Register is an element of this.

Partner selection

SRV is a responsible company, and we only choose partners who fulfil our requirements and contribute towards creating a sustainable operating environment and culture. Enhancing responsibility and sustainability within our partner network supports the competitiveness of companies that operate correctly and in compliance with regulations, while simultaneously fighting the grey economy.

Contractors and subcontractors commit to complying with SRV’s sustainability requirements when they sign the Construction Contract Programme, which is appended to every agreement. The Construction Contract Programme also requires our contractors’ subcontractors to commit to compliance with the programme’s requirements. SRV’s Supplier Code of Conduct supplements the requirements of the Construction Contract Programme. SRV cooperates with Asiakastieto, through which we receive background checks on our suppliers.

Requirements integral to processes

SRV’s responsible procurement steering group consists of experts in procurement, sustainability, quality, occupational safety and the environment. The group aims to ensure that sustainability requirements are concretely put into practice in our business, in the procurement of everything from services (work) to contracts and materials. Processes are being enhanced, and the assessment and monitoring of our subcontractors’ suppliers will be boosted and expanded to cover elements other than financial responsibility.

Developing sustainable procurement will require an analysis of sustainability perspectives that pays attention to the special features of the construction industry. SRV must ensure that its own processes and tools are in order, and that risks are assessed in a way that enables measures to be targeted to any problematic areas with the greatest potential for impact. International procurement has its own unique challenges, and it is here in particular that suppliers’ self-assessments and audits provide valuable additional information about suppliers.

Human rights issues in the supply chain

The further down the supply chain the impacts are, the more challenging it is to promote human rights. SRV’s Construction Contract Programme and Supplier Code of Conduct also define basic requirements for human rights.

One of our longer-term objectives is to continuously (and verifiably) improve the level of sustainability in our partner network and to integrate the management of contractual partner risks into our normal process, also with respect to sustainability. This will also support our aim of increasing awareness of sustainable operations in SRV’s partner network.

Value for society

SRV is a significant actor with a broad range of social impacts. It is increasingly important for stakeholders that, in addition to seeking profit, companies also have objectives related to positive social impact.

Good premises, homes and environments

In line with SRV’s strategy, SRV’s objective is, together with our partners, to create a new lifecycle-wise reality, where solutions related to construction ensure well-being, financial value and the benefit of users, residents and environment – for years and generations to come. When it comes to business premises, it is not only end users’ needs that are important, but also space efficiency and ecology. Social structures are changing, and the social and healthcare sector is also in transition. SRV plays a strong role as a builder of healthcare and medical care facilities around Finland.

A growing number of municipalities have an ageing building stock on their hands, but fewer resources to maintain them or erect new buildings. The focus in public service construction will shift even more strongly towards privately financed construction and lifecycle building.

Combatting the grey economy

When suppliers apply to join our supplier register, they must answer questions about responsibility themes and provide sufficient information about themselves. In other words, companies are asked to provide this information as soon as they register as SRV partners. This approach further strengthens our fight against the grey economy.

SRV is committed to combatting the grey economy, and is continually developing operating methods to improve construction site safety and the transparency, legality and controllability of the entire operating chain. On Anti-Grey Economy Days, which are held four times a year, we highlight problematic areas and provide guidance for personnel.

On these days, construction sites inspect the documents required by contractors and their subcontractors under the Act on the Contractor’s Obligations and Liability. The sites also inspect the personal IDs of all those working on site, determine their employers and tax numbers, and ensure they had received proper induction.

SRV Network Register

SRV adheres to official procurement procedures in the management of new suppliers and existing supplier relationships, and the SRV Network Register is an element of this. The Network Register is an IT system that helps SRV to combat the grey economy, promote cooperation with the authorities, increase construction site safety, and ensure a continuous overall picture of large projects. The Network Register makes it easy to monitor the status of contractors’ liability documentation and ensure that tasks are performed by SRV-approved contractors.

The Network Register also facilitates the management of foreign employees. The register collates statutory documentation for foreign employees. Foreign companies also supply documents required by the Act on the Contractor’s Obligations and Liability, as per their country of domicile.

When SRV makes an agreement with a foreign worker for work to be performed in Finland, their employment contract will comply with the same legislation and norms as for Finnish employees. The construction industry’s current collective agreements apply to all workers hired by Finnish companies, both Finnish and foreign alike.

Employment and tax footprint

SRV’s own experts and partner network of constructors efficiently implement projects using SRV’s project management model. SRV’s impact on employment extends a long way down the value chain. In accordance with its Code of Conduct, SRV is committed to respecting human rights. Ensuring that human rights are realised, and that labour is not exploited in the supply chain, is crucial for society. SRV supports equality in the labour market, and plays its part in preventing labour market segregation and inequality.

SRV pays its taxes and tax-like charges in accordance with local legislation. A significant proportion of tax-like charges consist of salary-related taxes and VAT on goods and services. SRV also pays other taxes, such as income tax, transfer tax, and property tax. The company also has considerable impact as an indirect taxpayer – SRV also generates indirect revenue for the State from the income tax and social security payments paid via subcontracting and hired labour.

Value for the environment

The concrete consequences of climate change on both individuals and companies can be seen in stakeholders’ growing interest in environmental issues. SRV’s responds to these requirements with legislative compliance, environmental protection, operational development, and continuous improvement with the aid of the ISO 14001 environmental system. We also require our subcontractors and partners to follow the same principles.

In accordance with our environmental policy, the goals of SRV’s environmental activities are developing material efficiency and waste management on sites, reducing the energy consumption of sites, implementing projects and buildings that place a smaller burden on the environment, and encouraging partners to develop more sustainable operating methods.

Environmental work requires systematic planning

The environmental impacts of construction sites are mainly caused by construction waste, disturbances to the surrounding area, transportation, and the consumption of energy, water and materials. The management of storm water, trench water and chemicals is of key importance in preventing environmental contamination. At SRV’s sites in Finland, environmental activities are based on the environmental plan, waste management plan, and other plans drafted to address the special characteristics of the site. The environmental risks of subcontractors and means of preventing them are reviewed during contract negotiations, weekly site meetings and the risk assessments of each work phase.

We seek to minimise impacts on the surrounding environment when planning construction sites. Impacts arise from factors such as dust, noise, vibration, traffic arrangements, and changes in the ecosystem. Both the authorities and those in the surrounding area are kept informed about the impacts and timetables of construction sites. Special natural features, such as protected habitats and species, are taken into consideration when planning construction.

Ambitious targets

When on-site operations begin, an HSEQ kick-off meeting is held and an environmental officer is appointed for each site. In our own construction projects, we define project-specific environmental targets together with our customers. The aim is to provide customers with enough information on factors with a significant bearing on environmental impacts for use in their decision-making, starting from the design phase. Environmental indicators are monitored with a browser-based system into which information on waste volumes and energy and water consumption is entered. Statistics on the previous year are compiled and analysed at the beginning of the year for annual reporting and management reviews. Management reviews specify the objectives of environmental system development and the measures to be taken.

Material efficiency and minimising the amount of waste are two of the main objectives of SRV’s environmental activities. By steering both projects and design, we are able to influence material choices and technical solutions. Good design in particular can enable successful procurement. A waste management plan is drawn up on every construction site in cooperation with the waste management contractor, and this helps to ensure that the sorting of site waste at its source is properly planned and implemented. Since 2016, new projects have been covered by targets for the specific waste volume and sorting-at-source rate, which are set by the type of building.

Sites use a great deal of energy in different forms. Due to climate conditions in the north, the greatest amount of energy is used on heating. SRV is seeking to improve energy efficiency in a variety of ways, such as optimising and modernising equipment, and naturally by choosing the heating system that best suits the situation. Energy needs can also be impacted by the careful implementation of through-holes, the covering of holes, and weather protection. Energy consumption is monitored in every project.

Environmental deviations are monitored not only with regular TR measurements, but also with an observation tool that studies both accidents at work and environmental damage.

An increase in environmental classifications and property performance measurements

Environmental certification is becoming increasingly important to customers and property investors. Finnish RTS environmental classification is now being used alongside international classifications. In addition to properties, it will now be possible to seek certification for premises that are currently in use. The environmental certification of offices, educational buildings and accommodation is already practically standard practice, and it is also becoming more commonplace in housing due to increased interest among clients. SRV has lengthy experience in building Leed and BreeAm projects, and RTS environmental classification has been successfully introduced at many different sites.

Value for investors

It is investors and financiers who are putting companies under the greatest pressure to operate responsibly. Responsible investing has become mainstream, and investment decisions are increasingly taking climate change into consideration. The EU has also promised guidelines to support funding for sustainable growth. All this is good news for those who are seeking to fight climate change and reduce environmental loading.

At corporate level, investors’ and financiers’ interest is being reflected in the need for a new kind of ESG information. Their inquiries concern not only the company’s carbon dioxide emissions, but also the carbon footprint, environmental classification and environmental performance of products and services. Responsibility has long been one of the criteria for public procurements, and plot conveyance policies increasingly often include requirements relating to carbon footprints or the circular economy. Carbon neutrality targets mean that wood construction is on the rise.

In addition to the basic work involved, identifying the impacts desired by investors requires us to develop new indicators. Information about production-related consumption, emissions and waste is still vital, but there is also a need for brand-new indicators. At the same time, we must consider how to extract this new type of information from our systems.

It is also important to create concrete indicators for how business should adapt to future sustainability issues. SRV’s objective is to communicate the sustainability of our operations to stakeholders more effectively, such as the percentage of sites in our project portfolio that are environmentally classified or otherwise meet sustainability criteria.

Investor relations support value creation

SRV’s investor relations seek to support SRV’s share value and provide essential and up-to-date information equally to all parties in the market. Our investor relations team is responsible for planning and implementing investor communications, contacting owners and analysts, and arranging meetings with investors. ESG indicators and their reporting also form part of our investor relations and investor communications.

Our most important tasks include writing interim reports, financial statement bulletins, stock exchange releases and investor presentations. In addition to reporting, the investor relations team organises teleconferences for analysts and investors, roadshows, participatory investor seminars and events, meetings with investors and analysts, and Capital Markets Days.