Our sustainability performance
We help build iconic offshore wind farms to accelerate the energy transition.
We keep all types of waterways clean and safe to boost local economies.
We build innovative housing projects to improve people’s quality of life.
We remediate heavily contaminated land to mitigate health risks.
With our projects, we make a positive impact for future generations and actively contribute to the local community with a clever solution. Can we still improve our own sustainability performance? Of course. It is something we work on every day with a sustainability strategy that is aimed at genuinely making a difference.
Our progress in 4 key focus areas
On this page, we zoom in on climate, biodiversity, circularity and community engagement. These topics concern all of us. Therefore, they are essential to achieve our purpose of improving the quality of life for generations to come. For more details on these and other sustainability focus areas, we invite you to read our latest Sustainability Report.
Climate: we minimise emissions
We do not conform to ‘doing our best’. No, we want to do what is scientifically necessary to turn the tide. Hence the reason why we joined the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and had our targets validated in 2023.
Progress
We optimised energy efficiency and increased the use of renewable energy sources across the entire company, ranging from solar panels on our buildings to alternative fuels for our vessels.
Despite this significant progress, we witness a slight rise in total greenhouse gas emissions. This evolution is directly connected to the increased operational occupancy of our fleet. For perspective, marine and offshore vessels continue to account for over 90% of our Scope 1 and 2 emissions. We still have work to do, but we need our clients and partners too. Together, we can protect the quality of life of future generations.
Because our vessels are that central to our climate performance, we invest heavily in Ultra-Low Emission vessel (ULEv) technology. This highly efficient filter system filters out 99% of nanoparticles, resulting in emissions that comply with the European Stage V regulations for inland waterway vessels.
On top of that, we look into alternative fuels. For example, our new cable-laying vessels Fleeming Jenkin and William Thomson will be equipped with dual-fuel engines that can run on biofuel and green methanol. Since 2019, we have been using sustainable biofuels on our vessels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions up to 90%.
Ecosystems: we boost biodiversity
We aim to stop the loss of biodiversity and ecosystems (no net loss). Besides that, we provide positive contributions when possible (net gain).
Progress
Before the start of each project, we prepare an environmental impact report which identifies all potential negative impacts. We use various monitoring techniques to do so, such as an Integrated Biodiversity Tool.
We also work hard to explore possible positive impacts. From self-growing mussels reefs to developing a blueprint for mangrove restauration worldwide, the number of projects in which we make a direct beneficial contribution for ecosystems is steadily increasing.
We use an Integrated Biodiversity Tool for all our projects. Based on geographical coordinates, we develop an overview of protected areas, endangered species, and so-called key biodiversity areas. This overview allows us to set priorities and take action if necessary.
Resources: we think circular
We remediate contaminated soil, give new purpose to polluted sites, and increase the use of recycled and renewable materials in our projects.
Progress
For every project, we now conduct analyses. We use these to make data-based suggestions for circular or more resource-efficient methods to our clients. The goal is to increase the proportion of reused, recycled and/or renewable materials.
We also took important steps with other initiatives. For instance, we co-signed the Flemish Concrete Agreement to minimise CO2 emissions and maximise circularity when using concrete as a building material. Moreover, we increased the percentage of reusable sand and gravel through advanced soil remediation, while we optimised our own waste sorting system in our offices and vessels.
Our valorisation centres managed to increase the percentage of usable sand and gravel after remediation to 86%. Constructors use the clean sand and gravel in a variety of building and infrastructure works.
Community engagement: we connect people
We engage in mutually beneficial relationships with the communities around our projects. We recruit and source locally, respect heritage, improve local facilities and invest in training and development.
Progress
Because of the nature of our work, we often deal with local communities. We always inform them transparently, involve locals in decision-making when possible, pay special attention to their human rights, and support the economy with local sourcing. This is all written down in our Community Engagement Policy and Human Rights Policy.
A second angle centres around education. Young people are the generation that holds the keys to a more sustainable future. In 2023, we reached over 1,300 enthusiastic students through various educational programmes.
The expertise and know-how we’ve built up over the years is second to none. But instead of cautiously holding on to our in-house savviness, we gladly share our insights with business partners, local communities, students, etc. For example, in collaboration with the Regional Technical Centers in Belgium, we organised 7 training days for students in secondary education, preparing them for a technical career.
