Leader in social responsibility

As one of the largest Nor­dic community builders with an extensive local presence, we have an impact on our communities. What we do matters and therefore our responsibility for them is a given. This responsibility begins with our role as employers and business partners and stretches all the way through our pro­duc­tion chain and out into the surrounding neighborhood. Naturally this responsibility also includes the environment and climate. We impact all these areas.

This is how we govern:

Peab’s Code of Conduct applies to our employees and since 2023 we have a Suppliers Code of Conduct for our suppliers, subcontractors and other partners. The codes set clear requirements on compliance and respect in a number of areas like child labor, forced labor, human trafficking and the right to organize, climate responsibility, non-discrimination and anti-corruption. The Suppliers Code of Conduct contains specific requirements of suppliers concerning due diligence in the value chain, particularly regarding respect for human rights and the environment.

The strategic work linked to our material aspects in the target Leader in social responsibility is run on both Group and business area levels, together with the relevant expertise on every level of our organization responsible for making strategy into reality. Our priorities are the same in all the four countries we operate in, albeit with consideration to national legal differences. Peab’s managers always have the full responsibility and are, in turn, supported by specialists. In addition, we are certified according to a number of ISO standards.

The Board of Directors and executive management annually monitor the targets for equal opportunity recruitment and reducing carbon dioxide intensity in our own operations – Scope 1 and 2 – by at least 60 percent (cf. 2015) and for input goods and purchased services – Scope 3 – by half (cf. 2015) by 2030.

Equality, diversity and equal treatment

The construction and civil engineering industry, including Peab, plays a major role in making use of all the competence society has to offer, in particular with respect to gender equal workplaces. The major inequality is in professions close to production. Promoting diversity at our workplaces is equally important – that we see and utilize everyone’s competence regardless of their background or identity. We are convinced that equality, diversity and equal treatment are key to success in both our business and in society. As one of the largest Nordic community builders we want to be a forerunner in the industry in increasing equality, diversity and inclusion. Two key factors are continuous education and cooperation with society in general.

One of our nine external targets concerns equal opportunity recruitment and we work stra­te­gically and long lastingly to increase equality, diversity and inclusion in the Pe­ab Group. The COO organization is responsible for these issues. As these issues are relevant for our entire industry, we work to raise these matters in various industry contexts, and when meeting politicians and the media.

The Code of Conduct together with the associated Work Environment Policy and our equal treatment plan comprise Nordic work environment and anti-discrimination legislation.

Equal opportunity recruitment

Peab’s own disclosures

Target: Percent of women recruited > education market (reported annually)

Production management and production support (WCW), %
Production and processing (SW), %

Quality ensured supply chain

The production chain in the construction and civil engineering industry is complex and consists of many different actors. When it comes to the supply chain specifically, the foundation of a sustainable business is a supply chain where business ethics, human rights and the environment are fostered and respected.

The matter of our suppliers is central to us and is included in several of our material sustainability aspects. At Peab we managed around 40,000 suppliers in 2023. Around 1,500 suppliers make up 80 percent of the Group’s total purchase volume, of which 60 are internal suppliers. In other words, we are major buyers in the Nordic region which means we have a good platform for promoting secure and sustainable procurement along with supplier collaboration.

This requires good governance from the highest level in the organization to individual workplaces as well as clear requirements and monitoring processes in every part of the production chain. This requires procedures for assessing, preventing and managing risks along with collaboration and transparency. Peab’s Suppliers Code of Conduct explicitly de­fi­nes our expectations of our ­part­ners.

How we govern:

Respect for human rights and environmental consideration is a given in every aspect of Peab’s operations and throughout the entire value chain. This commitment is explicitly expressed in our Code of Conduct. The risk of violating human rights exists in all our areas of operation, internally as well as externally. These risks are particularly prominent in the various parts of the supply chain, which is why we, as of 2023, have a Suppliers Code of Conduct. We work with risk assessments and rectifying shortcomings in our own operations, and we quality ensure our supply chain to reduce the risk that human rights or the environment are not taken into consideration and promoted.

Peab’s executive management is responsible for purchasing governance. The Group’s regulations and processes are clearly communicated throughout our operations. An important part is the fundamental requirements set out in Peab’s written agreements, such as a signing and complying with the Suppliers Code of Conduct (previously the Code of Conduct). The Group’s purchasing function is responsible for monitoring, checking on and developing Peab’s supplier partnerships. For example, our supplier base is checked on a daily basis, primarily on financial parameters, and regular controls are made related to the Code of Conduct. Peab has identified a number of risk categories with a heightened risk for shortcomings regarding human rights, working conditions, environment and business ethics. We also have a development program for the years 2024 – 2026 “Quality ensured and traceable value chain” that is one of the Group’s two ongoing initiatives to further systemize requirements and monitor our different kinds of suppliers.

Ethics and anti-corruption

As community builders, we have a significant responsibility to work with ethics and counteract corruption. We have zero tolerance for all forms of corruption. This is a challenge in an industry of generally decentralized operations and complex value chains since these factors may increase the risk for ethical violations and corruption. Our shareholders, customers, employees and other stakeholders must be able to trust that all our operations rest on an ethical approach, internal regulations, national legislation and that Peab does not compromise on these.

How we govern:

Peab’s executive management is responsible for governing the work related to ethics and anti-corruption as well as governance related to purchasing. The central steering document is our Code of Conduct. The Group’s Ethical Council is vital to managing and monitoring our work with ethics and anti-corruption, which is also supplemented by our whistleblower function.

The Ethical Council, which consists of the head lawyer for Corporate Governance and Compliance, head of security and HR managers from all the business areas, meets once a month for a total of eleven times a year. The action plan against corruption that Peab works with is developed through the risk analyses that the Ethical Council regularly performs and includes a comprehensive, target group-oriented training in ethics and anti-corruption to ensure that all our employees have sufficient knowledge to act properly in any given situation. Group function Corporate governance and regulation compliance, under the leadership of the head lawyer, works with managing various cases of violations, education in ethics and anti-corruption, risk analyses and measures to counteract corruption as well as matters regarding governance and compliance. Compliance is not restricted to laws and ordinances but also includes our Code of Conduct, established working methods and the other steering documents within the Group.

At Peab, there are several way to whistleblow, complain or express opinions. We encourage employees, suppliers, trade unions and others to report any forms of misconduct or unethical behavior in the Group. General complaints from employees are reported to their closest supervisor. If this is not appropriate the employee is encouraged to report to their supervisor’s boss, the HR function, the Ethical Council or the legal function in Corporate governance and regulation compliance. We also have a whistleblowing function that employees and external parties can use.

Handling complaints and whistleblowing at Peab

Peab’s whistleblower system is used in the event of suspicions concerning corruption, environment breaches, fraud, harassment, mobbing, discrimination and health and safety standard violations. Anyone can make a report. Since 2023 Peab Group companies in Sweden with more than 50 employees have specific whistleblower contacts personnel can report to directly. The previous limit was 250 employees. Personnel in companies with fewer employees are encouraged report directly to Peab’s council for whistleblowing, which is a central function under the Ethics Council in Peab. Employees can also report via Peab’s channel for whistleblowing on the intranet, externally at peab.se and on other Group company websites. The report is handled confidentially by internally independent staff at Peab. The channel for whistleblowing is available in local languages and guarantees the anonymity of the reporter. Reports can also be made orally or via letter or email. A response is given quickly and always within seven days.

External reporting

If someone outside of Peab identifies any wrongdoing in the company we want them to report it at once, if possible to their closest contact at Peab or directly to the site manager of the project the person is at.

Peab also wants our suppliers to proactively communicate to their employees how to sound the alarm if they suspect something that violates our Code of Conduct or the law, via Peab’s channel for whistleblowing.

People outside of Peab’s organization can report in the same channels and have their reports handled in the same way as Peab’s employees.

Fundamental prerequisites concerning reporting:

1. No reprisals
Anyone reporting suspected wrongdoing should feel safe in the knowledge that they will not suffer any negative consequences. Peab does not tolerate any form of reprisals aimed at an employee or anyone else reporting suspected wrongdoing.
2. Ethical Council
The Ethical Council in Peab supports, strengthens and develops how Peab approaches and applies ethics relevant to our business, particularly relating to compliance of Peab’s Code of Conduct. The Ethical Council processes, and decides on, the whistleblower matters referred to it. The Ethical Council ensures objective and consequent investigations as well as provides answers to ethical questions posed by operations/employees.
3. Reporting to the Board
The Ethical Council reports the total number of established and significant cases of breaches in compliance with the Code of Conduct/Suppliers Code of Conduct, laws and regulations to executive management semi-annually and to the Board of Directors in conjuncture with half-year report in the third quarter. The Ethical Council also reports on the consequences meted out.

Peab describes its whistleblower system in detail in its Guidelines for Whistleblowing and how personal data is handled in “How Peab processes personal data”.

Communication and education concerning anti-corruption

GRI 205-2

Board of Directors and executive management

Informed about Anti-corruption Policy*
Educated in anti-corruption

All employees

Informed about Anti-corruption Policy*
Education in anti-corruption

*Peab’s Anti-​corruption Policy is integrated into our Code of Conduct

Education and development for the young

One of the areas our customers emphasize more frequently is the importance of working together in shared social responsibility for the local community. For Peab, with our extensive local presence all over the Nordic region, this is a positive development and key to our business model. Some examples are providing internships and jobs for newly arrived immigrants or for people with disabilities, creating safe residential areas or aiding youths in their development and education. The education and development of youths is a particularly prioritized matter for us. We want as many children and youths as possible to have equal access to leisure activities, education and a first step into the labor market. This is an important part of our strategic target to be a leader in social responsibility.

How we govern:

Peab Life is our concept for how we contribute to youth’s development and education in the local community. By making it possible for young people to participate in local building projects we want to combat inequalities and contribute to greater diversity, community and participation amongst youths in the Nordic region. Our efforts for young people’s education and development lies in the function that works with Peab’s social responsibility and is led by the COO.

Peab Life is also the starting point for the Group’s sponsoring work which is based locally and requires that all sponsored activities positively contribute to the community. Peab’s spons­oring is governed by specific guidelines and the Group Sponsoring Council meets once a month.

Environment

The construction and civil engineering industry has a significant environmental and climate impact. Peab affects the environment and climate through our own operations and through the impact generated by, for example, suppliers and customers. At the same time, our operations are impacted by the effects of a changing environment and climate change. Consequently, we work together with other actors in the value chain to gradually reduce our environmental and climate impact, in line with our targets.

Peab’s environmental work is based on the Group’s material sustainability aspects in the environmental area which have been identified through our environmental aspects evaluation, risk and opportunity analysis as well as stakeholder dialogues and double materiality analysis. These are:

  • Climate impact
  • Resource consumption
  • Environmentally and health hazardous products

Environmental targets guide us

Taking responsibility for the environment is key to our business strategy and we measure success in the stra­te­gic target Leader in social responsibility. Peab has three long-term environmental targets that identify our focus areas and help us implement practical measures that improve to reduce our environmental and climate impact. These both support and strengthen each other. The most long-term target of Peab’s three Group-wide environmental targets is to become climate neutral in 2045 at the latest, which aligns with the science-based 1.5 degree target in the Paris Agreement. Our targets by 2030 are to reduce carbon dioxide intensity in our own operations – Scope 1 and 2 – by at least 60 percent (cf. 2015) and for input goods and purchased services – Scope 3 – by half (cf. 2015). Peab’s second environmental target is to be completely resource efficient by 2040. Here we strive to optimize material use, reduce waste and promote biodiversity. This target thereby also contributes to lowering our climate impact. Peab’s third environmental target is to phase out environmentally and health hazardous products no later than 2030. We want to protect people and the environment from toxic exposure in both production and usage phase. This is a prerequisite to creating circular resource efficient flows.

How we govern:

The Group’s Head of Environment is responsible for stra­te­gically driving and coordinating Group environmental matters in close collaboration with business area environmental managers and specialists. The Group’s three overriding environmental targets are adopted by executive management and encompassed by a framework of defined interfaces, measurements, evaluation methods and strategic improvement areas. The shared targets are broken down into sub-targets and realized in our various operations based on each business area’s unique conditions and challenges.

In 2023 we established three new environmental councils: the climate council, the council for circularity and the council for biodiversity. There is also a previously created chemical council. The purpose of the environmental councils is to ensure a comprehensive perspective and efficient handling of issues common in a country and/or the Group, including optimized resource use in specialist areas.

Most of Peab’s businesses operate within a management system certified according to ISO 14001. The environmental management system is integrated into the business management system, which includes Peab’s Environmental Policy. Peab’s four business areas are responsible for implementation and compliance with management systems and policies in daily operations.

Since 2021, we have been working extensively to systematically and digitally manage the Peab Group’s environmental data. As the first step the project comprises system support and processes to compile and analyze the environmental da­ta linked to input goods and services. The purpose of the project is to increase the accessibility, transparency and quality of data in order to meet the increasing reporting requirements from authorities, customers and financiers. In 2023 we further concretized our work in a new Group and activity-steered transition plan we call the Climate Road Map. It was adopted by executive management and is one of Peab’s two development programs during the business plan period 2024 – 2026.

Environmental certification of buildings

GRI G4 CRE-8

The diagram shows the number of received certificates allocated per certification level. In the case of Miljöbyggnad and BREEAM the preliminary certification could be shown. Statistics include both our own developed projects where Peab is responsible for the certification and projects Peab builds for customers.

The total number of certificates was 56 (35) during 2023.

Miljöbyggnad
The Nordic Swan Ecolabel
LEED
BREEAM
Well Building Standard
NollCO2
Ceequal

Energy consumption

GRI 302-1, GRI 302-3

During 2023 Peab continued to refine the compilation process of energy data. The reported data cover all the major suppliers that together represent more than 90 percent of the purchased volumes of electricity, district heating and district cooling. Peab has not used steam in 2023. Data from all fuel suppliers are included. The majority of the statistics is compiled based on electronic invoices. For suppliers that do not invoice electronically the data has been collected directly from these suppliers.

Supplier specific information on the products has primarily been used to calculate the energy from fuel. Conversion factors for fuel have been updated and adjusted to reflect the reduction obligation level. If supplier-specific data are not available standard conversion factors based on national statistics and information from suppliers are applied. Standard factors used for making estimates are reviewed annually.

The use of of liquid fuel and gas decreased by 14 percent during 2023 compared to 2022 and the use of of renewable increased by 5 percent . The use of of electricity decreased by 3 percent while district heating and district cooling increased by 21 percent during 2023 compared to 2022. The use of renewable electricity, district heating and district cooling decreased by 1 percent. The change in total energy consumption between the years is primarily due to changes in the set up of projects.

Total energy consumption 1,156,000 (1,195,000) MWh
Percent renewable fuel of total fuel consumption, 2023

* Consumption of district cooling was a small portion of total energy consumption. In 2023 it was 110 MWh.

Primary fuel types 2023, MWh
Other fuel types 2023, MWh

Energy intensity

As of 2021 Peab has an energy intensity target mea­sured as total en­er­gy con­sump­tion (all types of en­er­gy) in re­la­tion to the scope of the busi­ness mea­sured as net sales. The tar­get is to re­duce en­er­gy in­ten­si­ty by 15 percent to 2023 com­pared to 2015. The out­come for 2023 was a re­duc­tion of 26 percent.

Greenhouse gas emissions

GRI 305-1, GRI 305-2, GRI 305-3, GRI 305-4

During 2023 Peab has continued to refine the compilation of data process. For changes in energy consumption, which is one of the basic parameters for calculating greenhouse gas emissions (CO2e), see the section on “Energy consumption”. Supplier-specific information has primarily been used to calculate CO2e. If supplier-specific statistics are not available, standard emission factors have been applied.

Scope 1 (fuel consumption):

CO2e from fuel con­sump­tion have been cal­cu­lat­ed with emis­sion fac­tors from Peab’s fuel sup­pli­ers, na­tion­al sta­tis­tics, data from the en­er­gy industrial associations or DEFRA. Calculations of CO2e re­flect the actual emissions for the composition of the fuels Peab has purchased, not the average of the re­duc­tion oblig­a­tion fuel volume. Standard emission factors used are reviewed annually. CO2e in Scope 1 for 2023 have decreased by 20 percent compared to 2022. The decrease is primarily due to less consumption of fuel and an increase use of fossil free fuel in 2023.

Scope 2 (other energy consumption):

CO2e according to the location-​​based method have been cal­cu­lat­ed with emis­sion fac­tors from AIB – Pro­duc­tion mix (2021), na­tion­al sta­tis­tics or data from the en­er­gy industrial associations. CO2e according to the location-​​based method have decreased by 11 % compared to 2022. This is primarily due to less consumption of electricity in 2023.

CO2e according to the market-​​based method have primarily been cal­cu­lat­ed with emis­sion fac­tors from energy sup­pli­ers. In cases where emission fac­tors from sup­pli­ers have not been avail­able, fac­tors from AIB – Resid­ual mix (2021) have been used for elec­tric­i­ty, and na­tion­al sta­tis­tics or data from the en­er­gy industrial associations have been used for dis­trict heat­ing and district cooling. CO2e according to the market-​​based method have decreased by 6 percent compared to 2022. This is primarily due to an increase in renewable electricity and less consumption of electricity in 2023.

Scope 3 (input goods and purchased services):

From 2021 the scope of the data measured and reported in Scope 3 has broadened. The delimitation of the Scope 3 reporting is based on an assessment of both the extent of the environmental impact and the pre-conditions for measuring it. Out of the 15 Scope 3 categories defined in the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG), the following categories are reported on (with cer­tain limitations spec­i­fied in more de­tail in the GRI Index):

1. Pur­chased goods and ser­vices
4. Up­stream trans­porta­tion and dis­tri­b­u­tion
5. Waste man­age­ment ser­vices
6. Busi­ness trav­el

Pur­chased goods and ser­vices refers to material Peab purchased for its operations, and material delivered via sub-contractors, as well as purchased machine services. Upstream transportation and distribution includes transportation services Peab has purchased from a third party. CO2e generated by purchased goods and services and upstream transportation and distribution have been calculated based on estimated quantities. In 2023, the emission factors for purchased materials were revised in order to better reflect the operations, taking purchased materials with a lower climate impact into account. Some of the emission factors were collected from suppliers. In cases where this information has not been available, emission factors have been based on standards from the Swedish Transport Agency and The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. CO2e from these Scope 3 categories in 2023 have decreased compared to 2022. This is primarily due to an increase in the portion of ECO-products.

CO2e from generated waste have been calculated with a tool developed by the waste industry that includes the climate footprint of waste transportation. CO2e from generated waste increased by 29 percent in 2023 compared to 2022. Changes and variations in the amount of waste between the years are largely due to variations in the number of projects and the structure and the set up of the projects during the reporting year.

CO2e from business travel include train trips and flights booked through Peab’s travel agents and CO2e statistics are collected directly from the suppliers. CO2e from flights were 1,004 tons while CO2e from train trips were only 0.8 tons for 2023. CO2e from business travel have decreased compared to 2022. In 2023 the number of business trips on airplanes decreased while the number of business trips on trains increased.

Note that the values in the table Ton CO2e are rounded off and therefore the summation can differ. 

As of 2021 Peab has a target for carbon dioxide intensity measured as CO2e in relation to the scope of the business, measured as net sales, allocated into Scope 1+2 (fuel and energy consumption in our own production) and Scope 3 (input goods and purchased services).

The target for Scope 1+2 is to reduce carbon dioxide intensity by 60 percent to 2030 compared to base year 2015. The outcome for 2023 was a reduction of 49 percent.

The target for Scope 3 is to reduce carbon dioxide intensity by 50 percent to 2030 compared to 2015. The outcome for 2023 was a reduction of 9 percent. The outcome of the target for carbon dioxide intensity for Scope 3 2021 has been revised due to the correction of CO2e in Scope 3 (see the section on input goods and purchased services).

Greenhouse gas intensity

Carbon dioxide intensity, own production (Scope 1 + 2)
Carbon dioxide intensity, input goods and purchased services (Scope 3)

Waste

GRI 306-1, GRI 306-2, GRI 306-3

Material and waste flows as well as waste prevention measures

Environmental impact related to waste is primarily linked to the depletion of natural resources. When material is not reused, greenhouse gas emissions occur and other pollutants are generated by transportation and incineration of waste. The use of land for waste storage and landfills poses risks for leakage of hazardous substances to land and water. We work to reduce the environmental impact of waste based on waste hierarchy. This means that we, first and foremost, strive to minimize the amount of waste generated and secondly steer the waste created to reuse or material recycling. We also strive to reduce hazardous waste and increase the use of recycled material in the products we manufacture and use along with the ability to recycle the products after use.

We maintain close collaboration with the other actors in the value chain to achieve circular material flows. Environmental impact linked to waste arise not only within Peab’s own operations but also in those of others such as suppliers, customers, waste contractors and other manufacturing companies. Peab can best control the extent of environmental impact in our own production but we can influence the environmental impact of other actors through dialogue, requirements and our range of products and services. The figure below provides an overview of Peab’s material and waste flows.

The upstream flows describe material flows into Peab, for example material deliveries from suppliers and surplus material from other actors we receive for recycling while downstream flows describe material flows out of Peab, for example finished products to customers, components for reuse by another actor and waste sent to external waste contractors.

More examples of how we work with resource efficiency, preventing waste generation and increasing the portion of recycled waste can be found in the text section on the environment in the Annual and Sustainability Report.

Generated waste

Dur­ing 2023 Peab has con­tin­ued to re­fine the com­pi­la­tion process for waste data and en­sure good com­pi­la­tion of data, in­clud­ing in­creased stan­dard­iza­tion of waste type cat­e­gories and treat­ment meth­ods. The re­port­ed data in­clude all of the major sup­pli­ers that to­geth­er rep­re­sent over 90 per­cent of the purchased volumes of waste man­age­ment ser­vices.

Compared to the revised data for 2022, the amount of waste in tones increased by 10 percent in 2023. Changes and variations in the amount of waste between the years are largely due to variations in the number of projects and the structure and the set up of the projects during the reporting year.

Waste year 2023, total for the Group was 991,000 (901,000) tons.

Generated waste per waste type
Generated waste per waste type
Generated waste, non-hazardous and hazardous
Treatment method for generated waste