Environmental & Social Information • Mar 26, 2021
Environmental & Social Information
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Sustainability report 1 - 2020
Guri M. Lindmark Kristine Gjerstad Røe Kristin Olsson Augestad Therese Bodding Sæthre
Design og production NXT Oslo reklamebyrå
Contact [email protected]
| Every tonne counts | 3 |
|---|---|
| Chapter 1 Three axes of sustainability |
4 |
| Chapter 2 Our overall sustainability work |
6 |
| Chapter 3 Our impact through operations |
9 |
| Chapter 4 | |
| Our impact through projects | 20 |
| Chapter 5 Our contribution to society |
36 |
| Appendix Environmental report Multiconsult Norge AS |
41 |
Multiconsult Sustainability Report 2020
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2020 was a year like no other. The Covid-19 pandemic created many difficult challenges for both businesses and societies. But it also gave us valuable experience and the ability to change and adapt rapidly. Going forward we must draw on this knowledge, as it will be valuable when solving the climate-related challenges we face as a society. In 2020, sustainability moved to the top of the agenda, both politically and in the business community. So did recognition of the importance of acting now, if we are to meet our commitments under the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
During the year, Multiconsult reinforced its expertise on, and commitment to, sustainability. We are involved in many projects with exceptionally high ambitions with respect to climate change and the environment. Through these projects, we show that a zero-emission society is achievable if we all contribute. I strongly believe that with our solid technical expertise, and by providing proactive, sound
Every tonne of CO 2 avoided counts. To the planet, and to us.
advice, we can help to find and develop good, sustainable solutions for, and in partnership with, our clients.
In 2021 we want to take our work on sustainability to the next level. We will do even more to build a sustainable society and deliver results that match our ambitions and commitments. Our goal is for Multiconsult to be climate neutral by no later than 2030, and we are developing methodology so that by 2025 we will be able to determine the carbon footprint of our portfolio of projects.
We are already well positioned to participate in exciting projects that will reduce our own and our clients' CO 2 emissions and negative impact on nature and society. Every tonne of CO 2 emission avoided counts. To the planet, and to us.
Grethe Bergly, CEO
Multiconsult Sustainability Report 2020
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01
In Multiconsult Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is about running the business in a responsible and sustainable way, by striving for sustainable growth for Multiconsult, the group's stakeholders and society as a whole.
The sustainability and CSR work in Multiconsult is based on materiality assessments. In 2020, the risks related to climate change were assesed and incorporated into the group's overall risk assessment.
Sustainability work in Multiconsult reflects the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals and national obligations under the Paris Agreement. The approach to sustainability involves prioritising and contributing to, climate and environmentally friendly choices, social sustainability and good governance. On an overall level, there are three axes to our work on sustainability:
Identifying important areas relating to sustainability, setting goals and following them up through specific actions and improvements. Reporting transparently and honestly on sustainability.
Giving advice and providing solutions that inspires and influences our clients, so that their projects chose good solutions that contribute to a more sustainable society, while also reducing the local and global climate footprint.
Participating actively in research and development projects and sustainability initiatives aimed at businesses, as well as supporting and making donations to organisations that are working to promote a more sustainable society.
The sustainability work covers all areas of ESG reporting. Matters relating to employee health and wellbeing, workplace health and safety, recruitment and training, gender equality, diversity, anti-corruption, code of conduct, etc. are and will remain key areas for Multiconsult. These areas are reported in detail in the 2020 annual report, with reference to the CSR section of the Directors' report.
This sustainability report will thus mainly focus on the group's work on climate change and the environment. Based on input from the subsidiaries, information about work on sustainability in the subsidiaries is included and described in each section of the report where relevant. About 70 per cent of the group's employees are employed by Multiconsult Norge AS and hence this subsidiary is covered in more detail in this report.
Multiconsult group ("Multiconsult" or "the group") comprises of Multiconsult ASA ("parent company") and all subsidiaries that are mentioned by their legal name ("subsidiary" or "company"). The subsidiary LINK arkitektur AS (LINK Norway) has two subsidiaries; LINK arkitektur AB («LINK Sweden») and LINK arkitektur A/S («LINK Denmark»).
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We believe that our employees have the ability to influence the transition to a more sustainable society, globally and locally, by always offering long-term and sustainable solutions, and by making conscious choices.
Work on climate change and the environment at Multiconsult is carried out in accordance with national guidelines and certification schemes, as well as the requirements, expectations and needs of clients and society.
Multiconsult Norge AS has based its work on the UN's 17 Sustainability Goals, with a particular focus on the goals that are relevant to its core business and strategy. The goals form a framework for further developing its expertise in green and sustainable consulting, where the company can be part of the solution - now and in the future.
Multiconsult Norge is Eco-Lighthouse certified under the "Head office model". In 2020, the head office was re-certified for a further three years. The work on Eco-Lighthouse certification is managed by an Eco-Lighthouse coordinator who ensures compliance and follow up of the certification requirements. Of our 30 offices, 19 are lighthouse certified at the end of 2020. This amounts to about 90 per cent of the total office space. The remaining offices with more than five employees are to be certified during 2021.
The Head of Sustainability reports directly to the EVP Region Oslo.
Sustainability is an important part of Multiconsult Polska's day-to-day operations. The subsidiary is certified to ISO 14001:2015 for environmental management systems.
In 2020, Iterio took another step forward in its work on sustainability by implementing a number of sustainability goals covering a variety of areas. The sustainability goals are based on Agenda 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Iterio's ambitions are set out in its sustainability plan, which includes six main areas and goals for putting the subsidiary on a more sustainable path. The priority areas in 2020 were: ethics and morals; sustainable projects; purchasing and choice of materials; climate change and energy; social inclusion; and health and working environment.
Activities relating to sustainability are led by a Sustainability Manager who reports to the Managing Director and is part of the senior management team. The subsidiary has established a dedicated group to coordinate and supervise the implementation of the sustainability plan in its organisation.
Iterio AB is certified to ISO 14001 for environmental management systems.
Multiconsult Sustainability Report 2020
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In LINK arkitektur group there is a high awareness of the importance of sustainable architecture and solutions, and there are teams established that support the organisation in this work. Based on the new strategy, in 2021 LINK arkitektur group will draw up sustainability goals and KPIs with associated plans of action, for the group as a whole and its individual subsidiaries. Work on sustainability is based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals and covers both projects and the impact of LINK arkitekture's own operations on the climate and environment.
LINK Norway is Eco-Lighthouse certified under the "head office model", and is member of the Norwegian Green Building Council (NGBC).
LINK Sweden was ISO 14001 certified at the turn of 2011/2012, and re-certified for a further three years in September 2020. The subsidiary has identified six priority areas for its sustainability activities based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. They are: circular economy architecture; climate-smart architecture; biodiversity;
safe environments; healthy communities; and vibrant communities. The six areas were chosen by analysing which of the challenges facing society the construction industry can help to solve, and which of these challenges architecture can influence most through its design of the built environment. LINK Sweden has an environmental policy and governance system that includes various guides to environmental and ecological sustainability, and sub-consultants and suppliers are chosen on the basis of whether or not they are ISO 14001 certified.
Multiconsult Sustainability Report 2020
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Multiconsult and the group's subsidiaries have a direct impact on sustainability through their own operations. Important factors for sustainability, such as climate risk, are therefore identified, goals are set and specific actions and improvements are implemented. The subsidiaries have undertaken to report transparently and accurately about how their sustainability goals and ambitions are managed and implemented.
This section describes operational issues relating to climate change and the environment at each subsidiary that has reported relevant information.
For a number of years Multiconsult Norge AS has been producing climate and environmental accounts. Many of the subsidiary's offices were Eco-Lighthouse certified in 2013/14, and the certified offices report annually on their sustainability activities to the Eco-Lighthouse Foundation.
The subsidiary has achieved many of the climate and environmental goals that were set for the period 2018– 2020. Some goals have also been exceeded, partly due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Experience from 2020 shows that it is possible to work more from home and travel less. That saves time and money for individual employees, the business and clients. Moreover, it reduces CO2 emissions both locally and globally. This experience will influence the subsidiary's short- and long-term goals for its business operations.
The pandemic has affected the work, but it has not significantly affected the volume of projects. Consequently, direct CO2 emissions from operations linked to the geotechnical engineering disciplines have not decreased.
This section is a presentation of the goals for the period 2018–2020 and to what extent they have been met. For the subsidiary's full environmental accounts, see the appendix at the back of this report.
The table shows estimated CO2 emissions from the most important known sources in 2020:
2017 2018 2019 2020 1.0 0.9 0.7
Total CO2 emissions Tonnes CO2 / work-year
| Tonnes of CO emissions from flight 2 |
470 |
|---|---|
| Tonnes of CO emissions from energy consumption in buildings 2 |
|
| (excl. the half with guarantees of origin) | 60 |
| Tonnes of CO emissions from vehicles 2 |
280 |
| Tonnes of CO emissions from machinery 2 |
1 040 |
| Total tonnes of CO emissions 2 |
1 850 |
Travel, and air travel in particular, is an important part of the subsidiary's climate footprint. At the end of 2020, a new global travel policy was drawn up to reflect the strong environmental profile. The policy requires both employees and clients to consider, to a lager extent, whether a journey can be replaced
| GOALS FOR 2018-20 | OUTCOME | COMMENTS |
|---|---|---|
| Multiconsult makes it easy to choose green business travel options. |
Ongoing | There were few business travels in 2020. On account of the pandemic, employees were encouraged to mainly walk and cycle. Where this was impossible, they were advised to use their own cars. |
| Multiconsult has reduced the number of flights for internal business (not project related flights) by 10% (baseline is flights per head in 2017). |
Achieved | In 2020, the number of flights for own business purposes had fallen by 66%. CO emissions from the journeys taken were 75% lower. 2 |
| Large events are held at locations where as few people as possible have to travel far. |
Achieved | Large events have been digital in 2020. |
| Most internal meetings are digital. | Achieved | Since mid-March 2020, most internal meetings have been digital. |
CO2 emissions from flights
Multiconsult Norge AS purchases energy with guarantees of origin for about half of its energy use and through this supports the development of renewable energy. The remaining half is integrated in the leasing contracts and the company has no direct influence on the suppliers. For this energy the subsidiary uses a value of 17g CO2/ kWh, the official figure published by the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE). The subsidiary reports district heating from waste and industry as CO2-neutral energy.
Energy use in buildings/offices based on consumption of electricity and district heating has been reduced by about 30 per cent from 2019. Energy consumption will vary from year to year depending on outdoor temperatures. The main reason for the reduction in 2020 was the low number of people working in the offices during some parts of the year. Data is not available for some of the small offices in this year's report, but they only represent a small proportion of total emissions. A high proportion of the energy consumption is due to the large number of digital meetings held and associated use of electronic equipment, including servers that require cooling.
| GOALS FOR 2018-20 | OUTCOME | COMMENTS |
|---|---|---|
| Reduce energy consumption by 10% in comparison with 2017. | Achieved | Due to the pandemic, far fewer people worked in in the offices in 2020. |
| Reduce office space, in square metres. | Ongoing | Office space was reduced over the course of 2020. However, the figure reported for this year is 6 000 m2 higher than in 2019. That is due to incorrect figures reported in 2019. |
| Perform a BREEAM In-Use assessment of the five biggest offices, and achieve at least a rating of "Very Good". |
Partially | The ambition of the owner of the building of the Drammen office is to certify the building under the BREEAM In-Use assessment. Our head office was certified in 2015. |
Energy consumption in buildings kWh/m2
Area eciency in oce m2/work-year
Energy consumption in buildings kWh/work-year
Geotechnical and environmental site investigations continued as in a normal year, and hence the subsidiary's direct emissions (Scope 1) did not fall. For geotechnical engineering, recorded purchases of diesel and estimated emissions from machinery, boats and vehicles were significantly higher in 2020 than in previous years. This is because the process for recording fuel purchases was improved in 2020.
In 2020, the subsidiary bought a hybrid drilling rig for geotechnical site investigations, which can meet requirements for fossil fuel-free construction sites. The rig can run on electricity where available and otherwise on biodiesel.
In 2020, the total number of vehicle kilometres driven for internal purposes and projects was around half the number driven in 2019. This was due to fewer in-person meetings being held. Consequently, CO2 emissions from driving to meetings were halved. The number of kilometres driven in electric cars also halved, but as a proportion of total journeys it remained unchanged from 2019 (10-11%). No specific goal was set for reducing these emissions over the period 2018-20.
CO2 emissions from flights Business travel by eletric car km/work-year
Business travel by car (fossil fuel) km/work-year
A new Procurement Policy was drawn up in 2020. The aim is to reduce the number of suppliers. As part of the NextLevel improvement program, a portfolio of framework agreements has been renegotiated. Sustainability and requirements relating to environmental certification have been assessed for each product group. In 2020, consumption of paper
fell from 7 kg to 2 kg per work-year. This continues a longterm trend, but it is also directly linked to fewer employees working in-person in our offices.
| GOALS FOR 2018-20 | OUTCOME | COMMENTS |
|---|---|---|
| We will use suppliers with environmental certification and buy eco-labelled products. |
Partially | For new agreements, this goal has been met. Of the 40 largest suppliers in 2020 (around half of supplies by value), 16 were environmentally certified, either under ISO 14001 or as Eco Lighthouses. |
| We will not use products or substances on the Norwegian Environment Agency's priority list. |
Achieved | |
| We will have assessed the environmental management systems of 80% of its subcontractors and partners. |
Partially | This has not been implemented systematically, but the foundations for doing so were laid in 2020. |
Total paper consumption kg/work-year
Waste from the offices is sorted and delivered according to local regulations and systems in each municipality. Laboratory waste and waste from the maintenance of drilling rigs are sorted by a waste disposal firm and are not counted as having been sorted at source.
Computers, mobile phones and other electrical and electronic devices are handled according to best practice and recycled or reused if possible.
In 2020, there was a sharp decline in the number of people working in the offices, and a reduction in the use of canteens, which meant significantly less waste was produced. However, for hygiene reasons, consumption of single-use plastic packaging rose. The recorded amount of waste was around 30 per cent lower in 2020 than in 2019. The proportion of waste sorted at source was much lower in 2020 than in 2019, because waste from geotechnical engineering, which is sorted by a waste management contractor rather than at source, represented a higher proportion of total waste in 2020.
Total waste kg/work-year
Waste for recycling per cent
| GOALS FOR 2018-20 | OUTCOME | COMMENTS |
|---|---|---|
| Recycle at least 75% by weight of the waste produced by our offices. |
Achieved | All of our offices sort their waste for recycling. Most of them recycle close to 75% or more. |
| Construction waste should be managed in accordance with the Norwegian waste management regulations and the principles of a circular economy. |
Achieved | The waste management contractor sorts waste into the appropriate categories and recycles everything that can be. |
With the aim of reducing CO 2 emissions, the subsidiary avoids business travel whenever possible.
This year the number of digital meetings increased dramatically, mainly due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, Multiconsult Polska aims to maintain this high level of online meetings with clients to reduce business travel and CO 2 emissions in the future. The subsidiary also uses bicycle couriers to deliver local parcels and the staff take part in various initiatives that promote cycling to work instead of using cars or public transport.
Multiconsult Polska also promotes environmentally friendly solutions and habits in their offices, such as the use of digitalisation tools throughout their portfolio of projects and business support activities, and waste recycling and sorting, including proper handling of electronic waste.
2020 is the first year that Iterio is seeking to meet the goals in its sustainability plan, which was completed towards the end of 2019. As such, there are no comparative figures for past years. Some systems for monitoring progress are not yet fully operational, e.g. the process for estimating and monitoring the subsidiary's own CO2 footprint from travel and its offices.
Iterio's sustainability plan aims to reduce its climate footprint, by reducing energy consumption at its offices and travel by fossil fuel-powered vehicles, as well as by purchasing goods and services with the lowest possible impact on the climate and environment.
On account of the pandemic, there were few long-haul flights in 2020, but there were several study trips by car and train in Sweden. Normal business travel was largely replaced by digital meetings. Holding a higher number of digital meetings increases the subsidiary's energy consumption,
which in turn raises CO2 emissions. There is currently no estimate for CO2 emissions from business travel. Moreover, no attempt has been made to calculate the savings from avoided business travel in comparison with increased emissions from the use of digital meeting.
Iterio's overall climate goal is to take responsibility for its own greenhouse gas emissions and to proactively reduce the company's impact on the climate and environment, as well as raise awareness about personal carbon footprints.
In 2020, the level of activity at the offices were low. Employees generally worked from home, and the use of digital meetings increased sharply over the course of the year. This affected the emissions by requiring more energy to cool servers and through the purchase of extra electronic equipment for people's home offices. However, these emissions should be compensated by the strong decline in long-haul business travel by road and air, as well as in daily commuting by car.
The subsidiary has not set any specific goals for reducing commuting or business travel by car, but employees are encouraged to use green options such as walking, cycling and public transport where possible. A goal for travel and transport is that all company cars will be zero emission by 2025.
Iterio's main goal is for all purchases of services, products and goods to take into account environmental considerations, climate change and working conditions. In 2020 it produced a guide on purchasing consumables, electronics, food, etc. aimed at purchasing managers, IT departments and the subsidiary's senior management team. The aim is also to make choices that promote a circular economy. For all purchasing decisions, the buyer is responsible for first investigating and assessing the various options.
One of several subsidiary goals is for the subsidiary to contribute to the circular flow of materials and the collection of hazardous waste.
Under its new strategy, the LINK arkitektur group will harmonise the recording and reporting of CO 2 emissions in its Scandinavian offices in 2021.
LINK Norway is working systematically to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through, among other things: environmental requirements for suppliers (ISO 14001, Eco-Lighthouse, EMAS or equivalent); reducing energy consumption at its offices; reducing the use of flights; minimising residual waste; and maximizing recycling.
LINK Sweden is continuously developing its "Sustainability barometer", which helps it to define, monitor and reduce its negative impact on the environment. Areas that are continuously monitored include: reductions in energy consumption at its offices; ensuring the energy comes from renewable sources with guarantees of origin; the climate impact of travel; the amount of paper printed; the use of food, cleaning products, cleaning contractors and office supplies that are eco-labelled or organic.
As of 2020, LINK Sweden has calculated its climate impact according to Scopes 1-3 in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. An adjustment was made for the portion of emissions that LINK Sweden is not in a position to reduce itself.
Multiconsult Sustainability Report 2020
20
Photo: Nicolas Tourrenc
We challenge traditional ways of working and we inform our clients about alternative solutions and options.
The Multiconsult Group's employees give advice that inspires and influences their clients, so that their projects employ good solutions that contribute to a more sustainable society, at the same time as reducing their local and global climate footprint. By grasping opportunities to develop the markets, products and services of the future, Multiconsult can help to make the clients' projects more sustainable.
The employees' expertise in the field of sustainability is vital to the company's ability to give the clients qualified, relevant advice on the options available. In this way, the employees advise and add value to the clients' decision-making, so that the clients can choose the most sustainable option. During the period 2018-2020, several training programs were held for the employees.
| GOALS FOR 2018-20 | OUTCOME | COMMENTS |
|---|---|---|
| All of Multiconsult's training program shall include sustainability as a topic. |
Achieved | Sustainability has been incorporated into all of the training programs where it is considered relevant. |
| "Green Project Execution" to give employees a good understanding of the relevant environmental classification systems, and significance to discipline and role. |
Partially | This has been successfully implemented in our Buildings & Properties business area. |
| Multiconsult shall have at least 10 auditors and 18 accredited professionals (APs) in BREEAM and 5 accredited professionals in CEEQUAL. |
Achieved |
In 2020, the project portfolio of Multiconsult Norge AS consisted of approximately 18 000 projects and sub-projects of differing sizes and complexities, and involving a variety of disciplines. Taking this portfolio as a starting point, an analysis to determine which of the UN Sustainable Development Goals the subsidiary can influence through its various projects was performed.
The aim was to get a better understanding of which Sustainable Development Goals the company has the biggest involvement with through its overall project portfolio. This analysis will provide a foundation for future prioritisations and for further developing expertise on sustainability in the company.
A top-down assessment and a simple qualitative analysis of the various business areas' project portfolios and which UN Sustainable Development Goals the various project types can influence was performed. This was then weighted by the revenue of these project types.
The analysis is approximate and has certain methodological weaknesses. Projects have not been reviewed in detail, and errors may occur. Nevertheless, the analysis gives a good overall picture of Multiconsult Norge's ability to influence the various Sustainable Development Goals. Thanks to its wideranging project portfolio, the company is helping to achieve several of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and the subsidiary is in a particularly strong position to make an impact on three of them:
UN SDG 13 Climate Action UN SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities UN SDG 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
On the following pages is a visualisation of the company's impact on various sustainability goals, and a summary of the Norwegian operations within each business area and the Sustainable Development Goals each area has the greatest impact on through their typical service deliveries.
70.3%
The figure shows the Multiconsult Norge's impact on various sustainability goals expressed through project revenue in 2020.
The project portfolio ranges from large hospitals, through commercial and educational buildings, to iconic buildings and residential developments.
2020 revenue: NOK 1 040.8 million Number of projects in 2020: 9 531
Solutions that help clients to meet their ambitions to produce clean energy. Using rooftop solar panels to generate electricity is a particular area of focus.
Contributing to the planning of all phases of basic infrastructure projects for residents such as housing, schools, healthcare and commercial buildings, and transport services.
Helping to reduce energy consumption, building carbon-neutral buildings, choosing sustainable materials and low-carbon concrete, reusing materials, and adapting buildings to climate change.
Promoting cooperation and partnerships between the private and public sectors, as well as new forms of collaboration between private businesses, such as collaborative projects, IPD contracts and other forms of alliance.
The project portfolio ranges from large, complex road, rail and port projects, through bridges and tunnels, to small footpaths and traffic studies, including involvement in all stages of planning.
2020 revenue: NOK 930 million Number of projects in 2020: 2 261
Solutions for infrastructure that is essential to society such as roads, rail, etc.
Route selection, taking into account climate adaptation and mass haul optimisation. Influencing the choice of materials; assessing potential for reusing soil and materials. Enabling zero-emission sites and mass hauling.
Solutions that minimise the risk of negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems affected by port and bridge projects.
Solutions that minimise the risk of negative impacts on ecosystems affected by projects. Developing designs that safeguard biodiversity.
The project portfolio includes the complete supply of engineering and design services for hydropower stations, solar parks and wind farms and distribution systems for electricity in Norway and overseas.
2020 revenue: NOK 331.6 million Number of projects in 2020: 1 342
Solutions to provide access to energy in developing countries, which is vital to their economic development.
improve access to clean energy for all. Covers everything from solar power, hydroelectric and wind power through to electrification in Norway and overseas.
Solutions that minimise climate-related risks arising from higher precipitation and interventions in and around watercourses that may increase the risk of flooding.
Solutions that protect ecosystems and minimise the loss of biodiversity.
The project portfolio includes work on design solutions in areas such as greenhouse gas emissions, flooding, landslides, water and wastewater, "blue-green" infrastructure, natural environments and water and soil pollution.
2020 revenue: NOK 407.6 million Number of projects in 2020: 2 306
Designing new water purification and wastewater treatment plants, upgrading existing ones.
Designing access to water and sanitation; mitigation measures for contaminated soil in order to deal with past environmental damage.
Surveying natural hazards; designing solutions to reduce risks to people and society arising from climate change.
Surveying, monitoring and improving aquatic environments in order to safeguard and restore biodiversity.
Measures to protect or rebuild ecosystems, as well as to improve environmental conditions, in order to safeguard and restore biodiversity.
The project portfolio ranges from preliminary, strategic planning, through the construction of new factories and onshore and offshore aquaculture facilities, to the detailed design and optimisation of production lines and logistics solutions.
2020 revenue: NOK 223.9 million Number of projects in 2020: 1 461
Optimising auxiliary equipment used in manufacturing, enabling efficient use of resources (energy) and expanding the implementation of green technologies.
Solutions to minimise resource use, environmental impacts and greenhouse gas emissions in conjunction with planning factories, production lines and various auxiliary systems.
Solutions for energy consumption, renewable energy generation and lowcarbon materials. Contributions to carbon capture – CCS.
Finding options and solutions that do not have a negative impact on marine biodiversity.
The project portfolio includes deepwater foundations and structures, marine concrete and steel structures, modules and accommodation, terminals, onshore facilities, landfall sites, infrastructure and site preparation, and electrifying the Norwegian Continental Shelf.
2020 revenue: NOK 109 million Number of projects in 2020: 210
Designing green energy solutions for the Norwegian Continental Shelf.
Designing electrification projects that enable the use of green energy, and designing alternative energy sources for oil and gas platforms.
The project portfolio includes national studies, land use and transport planning, regional trade and industry analysis, feasibility studies, analysis and transport planning for sustainable urban development, and ownership strategies for value creation.
2020 revenue: NOK 224 million Number of projects in 2020: 879
In the early stages of planning, come up with good, innovative solutions for the essential infrastructure needed by society.
Help to make towns and urban areas more sustainable, for the benefit of the people who live and work there, through the planning projects.
Iterio's main goal is to contribute directly and indirectly to a transition to, and the creation of, a more sustainable society, by proposing sustainable solutions in its projects.
This means to ensure the perspective of sustainability both in projects management roles and projects, by challenging traditional ways of working and informing the clients about alternative options.
The UN Sustainable Development Goals directly or indirectly affect several of Iterio's business areas and projects. They include sustainability studies for urban development projects, property development and various mobility plans, as well as traffic studies and project management.
LINK arkitektur group has developed a tool based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals called "A compass for sustainable architecture".
Using this tool and advanced methodologies, it analyses and documents the elements that affect energy consumption, indoor air quality and greenhouse gas emissions, right from the preliminary design stage. Its solutions for materials and building physics meet international and national standards, classifications and best practice. Based on the client's sustainability ambitions, the compass provides the overall framework for work on sustainability at the project in question.
All subsidiaries of the LINK arkitektur group have specialist expertise in the commonly used environmental assessment schemes, like BREEAM and LEED, and several members are accredited BREEAM assessors. LINK Denmark is also developing a method for measuring and defining the impact of operational Sustainable Development Goals, in relation to the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) certification classes.
LINK arkitektur is working to digitalise the architectural process. This affects the ability to reduce climate impacts and resource use in projects. It also influences the work on social sustainability in conjunction with for example, designing vibrant, healthy communities, creating good lighting conditions and ensuring pleasant micro-climates, etc. LINK has a number of parametric tools that can be used to optimise the building volume and elevation design based on e.g. the floor area ratio, daylight, microclimate, etc.
Each year, LINK arkitektur group works on a considerable number of projects with a defined sustainability work or that need to be certified under one of the major green building certification schemes such as LEED, BREEAM and Miljöbyggnad.
Photo: Hundven-Clements Photography
Multiconsult
Sustainability Report 2020
Location: Stockholm, Sweden Client: Stockholm City, Development Office Subsidiary: Iterio AB Role: Environmental coordinator
Project Slussen is a complex project carried out in the heart of Stockholm. About 480 000 people pass through the public transport hub Slussen, either by Metro, bus, car, bicycle or on foot on a daily basis. The reuse of as much shredded, excavated and dredged material as possible is an important project objective. Elevated levels of hexavalent chromium were discovered in the concrete construction from the 1930s, now being demolished. Inquiries and analyses for a risk assessment were carried out to ensure that any discharge of chromium does not pose a risk to human health or the environment, either short or long term. As a result, the old concrete could be reused locally, and it saved 75 tonnes of CO2 and just over 5 million SEK.
Location: Polen Client: State Water Holding Polish Waters Subsidiary: Multiconsult Polska Role: Program developing
As part of the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive in Poland, a National Surface Waters Restoration Program (NSWRP) is being developed as one of the activities under the River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs). The Program is a response to stress on surface waters and the need to improve their condition. The main objective of the Program is to identify priority areas of low surface water quality and propose prioritised restoration initiatives considering the prevailing economic and environmental conditions.
The Location: Oslo, Norway Client: Oslo Municipality, Water and Sewerage Authority Subsidiary: Multiconsult Norge AS Role: Preliminary project, zoning plan and detailed project
The main grid project is part of Ny Vannforsyning Oslo (NVO) and will ensure the distribution of treated water from the new water treatment plant at Huseby to the residents of Oslo. Several kilometers of tunnel will be excevated from Huseby to various connection points in central Oslo, using a TBM machine. In addition, an elevation pool will be built in the mountains east of Oslo. Extensive use of electrical machinery in the construction work, such as the TBM machine, will contribute to a reduction of CO2.
Location: All of Norway Client: The Railway directorate Subsidiary: Multiconsult Norge AS Role: Analysis and process consulting
The Norwegian Railway directorate is developing a strategy for handling a rapidly changing transport system. The coordination of different modes of transport is crucial if the system is to work well. The role of the railway in the current and future transport system must be related to the remaining transport system. Thus, the strategy contains a professional review of the role of the individual modes of transport within the system. The development of the railway is analysed on the basis of where the railway has the greatest advantage and how to utilise these advantages combined with other modes of transport.
Location: Oslo, Norway Client: Undervisningsbygg Oslo KF Subsidiary: Multiconsult Norge AS Role: Engineering services
Sofienberg skole in Oslo consists of two buildings connected by an intermediate building. One of the buildings dates from 1970 and is to be rehabilitated. The rehabilitation project has set high sustainability goals for reuse, solar cells and energy consumption. A new façade with integrated solar cells on the south-facing walls, as well as a façades which satisfy the requirements for low energy buildings will make the building very energy efficient. The solar cell system, including solar cells on the roof, will produce a total of approx. 40 MWh annually. In order to reduce the climate and environmental impact, several components in the building will be reused. Material which is not reused in the school will be made available for reuse in other projects.
Location: Brevik, Norway Client: Norcem Subsidiary: Multiconsult Norge AS Role: Impact assessment
Concrete is one of the world's most widely used building materials. The cement which is part of the concrete production is assumed to contribute to 7-8 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Norcem, the only producer of cement in Norway, is building a CO2 treatment plant at its factory in Brevik to remove CO2 from the flue gas. The CO2 will then be stored safely in geological formations in the North Sea. By capturing CO2 in the flue gas, greenhouse gas emissions from the production of cement can be limited, which will contribute to stop climate change. The technology has not been tested in full scale in the cement industry yet. If the plant is a success, the technology can also be introduced at other cement factories around the world.
Location: Norway Client: The Norwegian Environment Agency Subsidiary: Multiconsult Norge AS Role: Mapping
Nature in Norway (NiN) has been developed to describe nature in a uniform and comparable way. The survey will raise the level of knowledge on Norwegian nature, and the survey's main goal is providing a good basis for ensuring efficient and predictable planning processes in municipalities and counties. It will make it easier to take important natural values into account in spatial planning. NIN is based on the definition of habitat types according to the Biodiversity Act, and is the professional basis for identifying endangered and vulnerable habitat types according to the Norwegian Red List. From 2021, the methodology for NIN will also be the basis for assessing biodiversity in Norwegian impact assessments.
Location: Bergen, Norway Client: Bybanen Utbygging Subsidiary: Multiconsult Norge AS Role: Design and follow-up in the construction period 2021-2022
A new pedestrian and bicycle tunnel will be established on top of the old train tracks between Fløen and Kronstad in Bergen. It will be a part of the 4.3 kilometer long express bikeway in Bergen. The project includes, among other, the reuse of the existing stone vault constructions from the old Kronstad tunnel from 1913. Both engineering and construction are carried out in accordance with the CEEQUEL certification. Where feasible, low-carbon concrete of the highest class shall be used, and measures shall be implemented to reduce the climate footprint in the construction phase.
Location: Innlandet, Norway Client: Berinor Subsidiary: Multiconsult Norge AS Role: Consultancy and design services
The Moelv - Roterud project consists of a new four-lane bridge that crosses Lake Mjøsa and over nine kilometers of road in addition to the bridge crossing. The proposed bridge concept consists of a superstructure, where a significant part of the construction is made of wood. The combination of wood and concrete is an innovative design and concept. This will make the bridge considerably lighter, and thus provide a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. During the implementation of the project, the project is, among other things, obliged to increase the total agricultural area significantly and minimize losses of agricultural production. Interference with nature reserves near roads and bridges will also be prevented.
Location: Voss, Norway Client: Voss Energi Subsidiary: Multiconsult Norge AS Role: Detailed design and 3D modeling
The new Palmafossen power plant is being built in the footprint of the old power plant. Through design and implementation, the conditions for migration of anadromous fish are improved, the visual scope of the power plant's intervention in nature is reduced and parts of the area around the power plant are opened to the public, for recreation and learning. In addition to improvements to the power plant itself, a two-way fishing passage for salmon, sea trout and eel will be secured, with, among other, separate hatches and openings for downstream migratory fish. A new and upgraded fishing staircase is being built where the old staircase was located. A horizontally oriented goods gate is also installed, so that no fish enters the turbine.
Location: Trondheim, Norway Client: SINTEF, NTNU Subsidiary: LINK arkitektur AS and Multiconsult Norge AS Role: Architecture, building physics, geo and energy production
ZEB stands for Zero Emission Buildings, and in the ZEB laboratory the future solutions for sustainable buildings and technical solutions will be tested. To be able to test new technologies the laboratory has highly specialised research equipment and teaching facilities. The ZEB Laboratory building is four stories high and 1 800 sqm. The facades and roofs are covered with solar panels, and the roof slopes 42 degrees to the south for optimal energy production. Solutions and materials that promote low energy requirements and CO2 emissions have been used. For example, a heat-insulated climate shell, solid wood, building-integrated solar cells and a smart vapor barrier have been chosen. The building achieved the environmental requirement ZEB-COM (Zero Emission Building - Construction - Operation - Materials) which was set for the project.
Location: Lund, Sweden Client: LKF, Lunds Kommuns Fastighets AB Subsidiary: LINK arkitektur AB Role: Architecture
The housing complex is based on the concept "Sharing is caring". Here, a new type of housing is offered that makes circular economy easy, through e.g. a "sharing panel" where the tenant can borrow the neighbor's toolbox, rent an electric car, etc. The building also has a large common area available for the residents outdoors. From design, construction phase, to finished home, Xplorion must have the least possible impact on the environment. Electricity is produced locally with solar cells on the roof, demand-controlled ventilation optimizes the use of heat and fresh air for tenants, the heating is surplus heat from a nearby laboratory and excess energy in the building is stored using batteries in the basement. Most importantly, the building will create value through technological innovation and social community.
Multiconsult Sustainability Report 2020
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We genuinely believe that we achieve better results by sharing knowledge and cooperating with others.
Multiconsult can indirectly influence the development of a sustainable society through its Corporate Social Responsibility. It does this through active involvement in research and development projects and sustainability initiatives aimed at businesses, as well as by supporting and making donations to organisations that are working to promote a more sustainable, fairer society.
Photo: Hundven-Clements Photography
In recent years, Multiconsult Norge AS has worked with several national and international organisations and foundations, as well as participating in several research and development projects, with the aim of promoting more sustainable, fairer development in Norway and the rest of the world. The most important are described below.
As a competence company, Multiconsult Norge has both a desire and a responsibility to contribute its technical expertise and financial resources to develop methods and technology in partnership with other companies. The company is actively involved in various national and international research program focused on the construction industry.
Klima 2050 | Centre for Research-based Innovation (SFI) financed by the Research Council of Norway and the consortium partners. The SFI status enables long-term research in close collaboration with trade and industry, as well as research partners aiming to strengthen Norway's
ability to innovate and improve its competitiveness within climate adaptation. Multiconsult Group CEO Grethe Bergly is Chair of the Board.
ZEN | The research centre for zero emission neighbourhoods in smart cities (FME ZEN) shall develop solutions for the buildings and urban areas of the future that will help to bring about a zero emission society.
In 2020, the company has been involved in several national and local initiatives that have been set up to help motivate the business community to reduce its own and its value chain's climate footprint.
Regional reuse networks | Loopfront AS and Multiconsult Norge initiated the project "Regional Reuse Networks for Construction Materials". The project received funding from Enova, and in 2020 two regional reuse networks were set up with around ten property companies in Oslo and
Trondheim. The networks aim to make it easier to reuse construction materials when renovating or demolishing buildings.
UN Global Compact | Multiconsult Norge has been a signatory member since 2016. The UN Global Compact's 10 principles for sustainability and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals have been important to the subsidiary's prioritisations. In 2020, Multiconsult has participated in digital events associated with the Global Compact's Sustainable Ocean Business Action Platform.
Skift Norge | Multiconsult Norge has been a member of Skift Norge since 2019. Skift is a business-led climate change initiative, which is pushing for Norway to reach its climate goals by 2030. Skift is a "do tank", where the member companies themselves push ambitious projects forwards, and the partners ZERO and the WWF provide technical support. Several of Skift's activities have inspired Multiconsult Norge to directly develop solutions that will help bring about a climate-neutral society.
In 2013, Multiconsult Norge AS signed the City of Oslo's climate accord. This commits the Oslo office to work with the City of Oslo and the other companies in the network to take concrete, measurable steps to combat climate change. Klimapartnere ("Climate partners") is a similar initiative, in which the offices are partners or associates in various cities.
Signed commitments | In 2020 the subsidiary signed up to several binding agreements, including the "Guide Against Greenwashing" and the "10 Principles for Green Purchasing". These agreements commit the subsidiary to reporting transparently and honestly about its climaterelated activities in general, and the implementation of sustainability principles in its purchasing processes specifically.
Engineers Without Borders Norway | Engineers Without Borders uses engineering as a catalyst for change, by addressing global challenges and enabling sustainable human development. In 2020, Multiconsult Norge AS supported the organisation in its day-to-day operations, as well as collaborating in three projects. In 2020 no staff members went on projects with Engineers Without Borders.
The 2020 Christmas gift | Every year, employees at Multiconsult nominate and vote a charity project or organisation their choice, which receives the annual Christmas gift. In 2020 the mental health organisation "Mental Helse" was chosen to receive the gift of NOK 250,000. The organisation will spend the money on developing their telephone help line (Hjelpetelefonen).
The company promotes socially responsible solutions and actions both externally and internally. More widely, Multiconsult Polska raised awareness of the issue of proper water management by publishing a report prepared by their environmental engineering experts on Directions for proper water management. The report was presented to the press through an online conference in August 2020. Multiconsult Polska's experts on this topic regularly feature on radio and TV, as well as in the press, where they raise awareness about water management.
Since 2017, Iterio has been a partner in the Yennenga Progress network and "The Good Village" concept. This is an initiative to create sustainable societies in countries that do not have a functioning welfare system, through a partnership between local entrepreneurs, national authorities, and committed companies and people around the world.
In 2020, Iterio supported Yennenga both financially and by sharing its expertise. The financial support consisted of the annual salary of a carpenter, as well as the salary of six women working on waste management and knowledge sharing in the village of Nakamtenga, in Burkina Faso in Africa. Iterio has also sponsored the purchase of rubbish bins and a donkey for collecting and managing waste in the village. Employees at Iterio have contributed with their knowledge in order to lay the foundations for local training on waste management. They have also helped by buying two computers that Yennenga needs for its activities in the village.
Each year, LINK Sweden donates money to a charity project in the form of a Christmas gift. In 2020 Save the Children received the present. The subsidiary has also signed up to, or is a member of, the following networks to drive sustainable development:
Roadmap for the fossil-free building and construction sector and LFM 30 | LINK Sweden is at the forefront when it comes to the climate-smart projects Hoppet and LIDL in Visby. It has already delivered on the ambitions defined in the two projects, as well as contributing its experience and knowledge to the network in order to drive progress towards their goals.
Placemaking in the Nordics | LINK Sweden has been one of the initiators of this project, and it has created and made available resources that can be used to create safe and inclusive places in the city.
The 100 group | LINK Sweden was one of the initiators of the network, and since the start it has actively contributed to the development of a more sustainable and circular interior architecture.
LINK Norway also donates a Christmas gift to a charitable organisation, and in 2020 the subsidiary donated NOK 400,000 to the foundation Giving Hope To a Child. LINK Norway is also involved in the following activities:
Norwegian Green Building Council | LINK Norway is a member and actively participates in the development of national standards and tools relating to energy efficiency and the environment. For instance, LINK arkitektur was responsible for and led the development of the guidelines "Requirements and criteria for leasing sustainable office spaces".
Research and development | In order to keep up to date and drive development, LINK Norway participates actively in research and development projects working on defining what will be the state-of-the-art solutions of tomorrow. These R&D projects are conducted both as collaborations, e.g. together with Scandinavia's biggest research institute SINTEF, and as
in-house projects in LINK Norway's environmental department with funding from the Norwegian state.
To spread knowledge and best practice about sustainable building design, LINK helps to disseminate information at universities in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, as well as at many public conferences.
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| ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATOR | UNIT 1 | 20173 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | COMMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENERGY | ||||||
| Area efficiency in offices | m2/work-year | 28 | 30 | 28 | 25.5 | 2) |
| Energy consumption in buildings | kWh/work-year | 3 479 | 4 008 | 3 754 | 2 714 | Includes electricity and district heating |
| Energy consumption in buildings | kWh/m2 | 125 | 124 | 133 | 106 | 2) |
| TRANSPORT AND MACHINERY | ||||||
| Business travel by car (fossil fuel) | km/work-year | 1 494 | 1 423 | 1 284 | 677 | This includes Multiconsult's vehicles, mileage allowances and hire cars. |
| Business travel by electric car | km/work-year | 46 | 128 | 141 | 70 | This includes Multiconsult's vehicles, mileage allowances and hire cars. |
| Flights shorter than 1 000 km | number/work-year | 2.6 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 0.3 | Based on 862 flights (segments) in 2020. |
| International flights, longer than 1 000 km | number/work-year | 0.6 | 0.8 | 1.5 | 0.2 | Based on 568 flights (segments) in 2020. Includes domestic flights longer than 1 000 km. |
| Fuel consumption of machinery | litres/work-year | 30 | 43 | 23 | 89 | Based on litres of fuel including own vehicles for geotechnical surveys / machinery |
| WASTE | ||||||
| Total paper consumption | kg/work-year | 12 | 9 | 7 | 2 | |
| Total waste | kg/work-year | 87 | 92 | 98 | 71 | |
| Residual waste | per cent | 46 | 44 | 39 | 43 | |
| Waste for recycling | per cent | 54 | 56 | 61 | 57 | |
| CO EMISSIONS 2 |
||||||
| From flights | tonnes CO /work-year 2 |
0.7 | 0.74 | 0.9 | 0.2 | |
| From energy consumption in buildings | tonnes CO /work-year 2 |
0.030 | 0.031 | 0.032 | 0.025 | Guarantees of origin for half of the amount. (NVE – 17g CO /kWh for the rest) 2 |
| From car driving | tonnes CO /work-year 2 |
0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.1 | |
| From machinery | tonnes CO /work-year 2 |
0.14 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.4 | |
| Total CO emissions 2 |
tonnes CO /work-year 2 |
0.9 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.7 |
1 All work-years (2 599 at 31 December 2020) for Multiconsult Norge AS are included in the accounts. Consumption figures (energy use, paper use and waste) for offices with fewer than five employees are excluded from the accounts.
2In 2020 the area figures are based on 66 262 m2.
| 470 |
|---|
| 60 |
| 280 |
| 1 040 |
| 1 850 |
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