Skanska is establishing a new global unit charged with supporting the Group’s worldwide operations in the rapid dispersal and commercialization of technology, solutions and business models for green construction.
The venture is an extension of Skanska’s intensive work in recent years to map and develop various global solutions, methods and pilot projects to create buildings that are energy-efficient and have low environmental impact.
The new unit for green business will be called Skanska Green Business and will be headed from Stockholm but will have employees throughout Skanska’s operations in Europe and the United States. Cecilia Fasth will head the new unit as GBO at Skanska and will report to Skanska’s President and CEO Johan Karlström.
“Increasing the pace of, spreading and commercializing green construction globally is currently the highest priority at Skanska. The company realizes that green construction is becoming a mature product. The technology and competence required to construct energy-efficient and environmentally correct projects on a large scale is now available and it also makes for economically viable business. Accordingly, now is the time to act,” says Johan Karlström, President and CEO of Skanska.
“Skanska has already experienced growing demand and the environment will benefit from more customers promptly gaining access to modern green solutions. At the same time, Skanska foresees a multi-billion market in Swedish Kronor (SEK) with strong growth potential,” says Johan Karlström.
Buildings currently account for 40 percent of global carbon emissions during their lifetime, which is more than, for example, the automotive industry where there now is a rapid progression toward more fuel-efficient cars. Skanska wants to lead a corresponding development in the construction sector.
“Skanska’s construction standards are already much more energy efficient now than a few years ago, without costs ultimately rising. At the same time, there is a rapid progression toward the environmental labeling of buildings through such standards as the international LEED system. By quickly offering a broad range of attractive solutions, an increasing number of Skanska’s customers can lower their costs while simultaneously making an environmental effort,” says Cecilia Fasth, Green Business Officer (GBO) and head of Skanska Green Business.
“As we can see for instance on the example of our office building Nordica Ostrava, which is is the first office building in Czech Republic with EC GreenBuilding certification for energy efficiency, we are today able to construct energy-efficient buildings, which are not more expensive compared to the standard ones,” said CEO of Skanska Property Czech Republic Rikard Henriksson, and adds: I am convinced that energy efficiency, reduced discharges of CO2 and environmental-friendliness will be more and more appreciated and preferred by our customers.“
Skanska Green Business will work to enhance the green offering for Skanska’s customers. This may include solutions and agreements regarding continuous upgrades to ensure that a property remains as energy efficient as possible, even years after it was constructed or renovated.
“Skanska will offer its customers the most functional and financially attractive green solutions. As a global company, Skanska has the ability to optimize the best features from across the globe and rapidly spread them,” says Cecilia Fasth.
Cecilia Fasth has worked at Skanska since 1996 and held a number of positions in commercial property development. She has been President of Skanska Fastigheter Gothenburg since 2006.
Skanska AB may be required to disclose the information provided herein pursuant to the Securities Markets Act.
Skanska is one of the world’s leading construction groups with expertise in construction, development of commercial and residential projects and public-private partnerships. The Group currently has 60,000 employees in selected home markets in Europe, in the US and Latin America. Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden and listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange, Skanska's sales in 2006 totaled SEK 126 billion. Skanska Commercial Development Europe is one out of 14 business units within Skanska. The mission is to initiate and develop real estate projects such as office buildings, and logistic facilities. The main focus of operations is the large metropolitan areas in Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland. Skanska Commercial Development Europe is divided into three local companies: Skanska Property Czech Republic, Skanska Property Hungary and Skanska Property Poland. More information about Skanska Commercial Development Europe can be found at www.skanska.com/property. Skanska Property Czech Republic, s.r.o., a subsidiary of the Swedish company Skanska Commercial Development Europe (SCDE), is an experienced developer focusing on development of commercial real estate. The company has been operating on the Czech market since 1997 and has developed a number of office buildings and retail warehouses in the Prague area. Currently the company is developing office projects in Prague and in Ostrava and a large logistic park is being designed for construction outside Prague.The company manages the projects from concept over the lease of the buildings to its sale. Office building Nordica Ostrava was the first one in Czech Republic awarded the GreenBuilding certificate for energy efficiency.