Sustainable business at Wihlborgs

Sustainable business

For Wihlborgs, sustainability is the foundation of profitable business. We take a long-term approach and help create the conditions for businesses in the Öresund region to grow and develop.

Focus on long-term sustainable growth

Wihlborgs is both a builder of regions and relationships. Firmly rooted in the Öresund region, we work for a sustainable society – today and tomorrow. Our investments are made with a long-term perspective, where economic, social and environmental considerations are part of every decision. This gives us a stable foundation to navigate shifts in the market. Sustainable business is part of our DNA and guides our direction.

All three aspects of ESG (environmental, social and governance) are integrated into our business and operations. But sustainable development cannot be achieved by a single company or organisation. Collaboration has always been part of our approach, as has staying close to our customers – many of whom are key players in the region’s business community.

Det är i samverkan med andra vi på Wihlborgs kan fortsätta utveckla Öresundsregionen.

Att arbeta tillsammans med andra har alltid varit en del av Wihlborgs arbetssätt.

Ambitious environmental goals drive us to do the right thing

We believe that aiming high is essential to achieving results. Together with our customers and partners, we want to contribute to sustainable societal development. That’s why we’ve set ambitious sustainability targets.

We also place clear environmental demands on our suppliers.

Our sustainability efforts are guided by our environmental and climate policy, our internal targets, and our responsibility in relation to the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. By participating in external initiatives such as Fossil-Free Sweden and LFM30 – the local roadmap for a climate-neutral construction and civil engineering sector in Malmö by 2030 – we actively help drive progress.

Our Sustainability Targets

We have 16 sustainability targets that include, among other things, reducing emissions, improving energy efficiency, achieving gender balance, and certifying buildings.

View our sustainability targets

Sustainability Framework

Wihlborgs’ sustainability framework comprises four main areas:

These areas provide us with a clear focus and ensure greater impact from our efforts. We prioritise, measure, and systematically follow up on our actions.

Our climate goals

Wihlborgs has set both long-term and short-term climate targets. The aim is for all our activities, partnerships, and annual procurement to contribute to achieving these targets. In 2020, we joined the Science Based Targets initiative, and we are working towards the following overall climate goals:

Target 2030: Halve climate-impacting emissions across the entire value chain.
Target 2045: Achieve climate neutrality* across the entire business.

*Climate neutrality means that Wihlborgs offsets all remaining emissions across the value chain. Our primary focus is to reduce the emissions generated by our own operations.

Sustainability report

We publish an annual sustainability report presenting key goals, activities, and results linked to our sustainability agenda. It is included in the annual report and prepared in accordance with the Swedish Annual Accounts Act, GRI Standards, EPRA sBPR, and the TCFD guidelines for reporting climate-related risks. Priority sustainability issues are also followed up in our quarterly reports.

All annual and sustainability reports & quarterly reports.

Wihlborgs has been a member of the UN Global Compact for several years and submits an annual Communication on Progress, available on the Global Compact website. We also report detailed sustainability data to initiatives such as GRESB and CDP.

Global Compact website
GRESB website
CDP website

Climate adaptation

As climate change progresses, the need to climate-proof our properties has increased. Much of this is handled through the daily maintenance and inspections carried out by our property caretakers. To future-proof new buildings, we conduct climate risk analyses in the early planning phase to identify any location-specific climate risks and determine appropriate adaptation measures.

Climate adaptation is also part of the ongoing management of our existing properties. Measures to mitigate the effects of climate change include green roofs that delay runoff and cool during summer, tree planting for shade, and reducing sealed surfaces in favor of materials that allow rainwater to seep through. This is still a relatively new area, and we see great potential to work more actively on it going forward.

An Illustration of an office building with a Wihlborgs branded car in front.

Scope 1

Own operations

We take a range of measures, from using only electric, hybrid, and gas-powered vehicles to transitioning to renewable biogas and rebuilding cooling systems. Since leakage from refrigerants accounts for a significant share of emissions, we are replacing old cooling units with new ones using natural refrigerants (propane), which have a much lower climate impact in case of leakage compared to traditional refrigerants. This work is carried out by our operations managers in collaboration with suppliers.

An illustration of wind mills and a power cable.

Scope 2

Purchased energy for operations

To reduce the climate impact from purchased energy, we actively work with energy efficiency measures, a transition to renewable energy sources, and the installation of our own solar power systems. Each year, we carry out energy efficiency projects in properties where our in-house technicians identify strong potential for savings. In Sweden, we use almost exclusively renewable energy, and in Denmark to the greatest extent possible depending on availability.

Illustration of the construction of a building.

Scope 3

Construction projects and tenant adaptations

A significant part of the real estate sector's climate impact comes from the construction process, and we are advancing our efforts in collaboration with the industry, for example, through LFM30 in Malmö. It is also essential to take a lifecycle perspective on buildings, prioritizing reuse, refurbishment, and repurposing of existing structures whenever possible. The ZeroCO2 certification is another key initiative in our sustainability efforts.

Wihlborgs' climate roadmap

Climate footprint

Today, the construction and real estate sector accounts for just over one-fifth of Sweden’s total climate impact – as much as the country’s entire passenger transport. Our daily decisions make a difference. By reducing negative impact and increasing positive actions, we can lower our climate footprint. We’ve already done a lot, but more is needed. We aim to lead by example, take responsibility in the region, and inspire change – through education, guidance, and sustainable solutions across the entire value chain.

Climate roadmap

At Wihlborgs, we have developed a common climate roadmap. It is a strategy, philosophy, and framework for how we will jointly manage and drive the climate challenge. It describes both successful actions we have taken and what we need to focus on in the future to achieve results. The climate action plan is intended to support our daily operations and contribute to the shift we all need to make.

The circular perspective

Our Climate Roadmap is based on a building’s life cycle and identifies four phases where we can reduce climate impact and strengthen collaboration across the value chain. As a leading player, we have a responsibility to make long-term decisions and act according to circular principles—regardless of where emissions occur. We have policies, certifications, and governing documents that support our climate efforts. The Climate Roadmap guides our daily decisions and serves as a tool for creating sustainable business together.

How we work with sustainable business

Two men looking at a device in an office environment.

Customers and suppliers

The most important stakeholders are, of course, our customers. Changed local needs must never stand in the way of business development. Developing our customer relations is a constant work in progress. Our suppliers are also an important part of our value chain and therefore we place high demands on them as well in terms of health, safety, environment and ethical behavior. Find information here for current suppliers

Three of our co-workers, sitting in a staircase.

Our employees

Our employees are key people in our customer relations. Therefore, it is important that we have proud and committed employees who are prepared to take responsibility and go the extra mile for a customer or colleague. We work actively to be an attractive employer.

Ambassadorship

That customers and employees are willing to recommend Wihlborgs is both a strength and a sign of responsible business practices. It enhances our ability to attract new employees and customers. That’s why we regularly measure willingness to recommend through customer and employee surveys.

A sustainable development of the Öresund region

The positive development of the Öresund region is crucial for both the people and businesses operating here. As a builder of the region, we aim to contribute to its sustainable development and inspire others to do the same – by creating sustainable workplaces, districts, and cities, and by enabling connections and business opportunities for our customers.

Commitment to the region and society

As part of our commitment to the region and society, we support initiatives that promote employment, inclusion, and education – to give young people the opportunity and motivation to pursue studies and help secure future skills. We are also engaged in infrastructure projects such as a fixed link between Helsingborg and Helsingør and the Öresund Metro, as infrastructure is central to the region’s continued development.

Som stor fastighetsägare har vi på Wihlborgs ett stort ansvar att minska klimatavtrycket.

With consideration for the environment and the climate

As a leading property company, we have the ability to influence both suppliers and tenants in a greener direction. The construction and real estate sector accounts for over one-fifth of Sweden’s climate impact, which gives us a great responsibility to reduce our footprint and inspire change by focusing on sustainable properties.