Consultancy and Engineering
dhv.com
Taking Corporate Responsibility Highlights 2008
Gateway to solutions
Steps in sustainability Jan: Flying Doctors
At the DHV Group we contribute to the sustainable development of our living environment directly through our services, by collaborating with others in research, and through improvements in our own operations.
Jan: Young LFN
April: Weekend school
Jan
AMREF Flying Doctors receives a donation from NACO
DHV starts Climate Action Project for Ahold
Delcan continues its commitment to United Way, Canada
Young DHV professionals join the Young Leaders for Nature initiative
DHV establishes an internal Sustainable Building Core Team to promote sustainable building practices
Feb
SSI extends its Saturday School initiative to 4 schools in South Africa
DHV studies the economic potential of sustainability for the Amsterdam region, the Netherlands
April DHV introduces the SDHV tool to stimulate and measure sustainability (people-planet-profit) on our projects
May: RopaRun
DHV becomes top sponsor of a weekend school for underprivileged youth in Amersfoort, the Netherlands
DHV rounds off donating 880 (replaced) computers to Computers for Development, Africa
DHV becomes Founding Partner of the Dutch Green Building Council
May DHV employees take part in the RopaRun Paris-Rotterdam supporting cancer patients
DHV staff become coaches for Go4it!, an initiative for underprivileged youth in Eindhoven, the Netherlands
DHV Group signs the Dutch Charter Talent to the Top to increase the number of women at top level
June CR Report 2007: DHV Group is the first engineering consultancy to report in compliance with GRI B+
July: ‘Passive’ houses
Sep: Tsunami awareness
DHV and SNS Reaal Water Fund start a pilot program for new, energy-saving water pumps in Surabaya, Indonesia
July
DHV’s Trendwatchers organize the 3rd roundtable-discussion “Talking about the City”
Three energy-efficient ‘passive’ houses designed by DHV are completed in the Dutch City of Roosendaal
Aug
DHV Group joins the United Nations Global Compact
DHV executes a sustainable and earthquake-proof design for the earthquake damaged Xinhuamen School, China
DHV hosts a workshop of the Business in Development (BiD) Network to stimulate emerging market entrepreneurs
Sep
SSI introduces its Corporate Responsibility Management System
The Dutch Consumers Organization, DHV and VBDO publish the renewed social responsible investing (SRI) guide
Increasing tsunami awareness, as part of the Aceh Sea Defense Project by DHV, Witteveen+Bos and Deltares
Oct
GRI and NACO sign MoU to develop the CR reporting guidelines supplement for the airport industry
SSI’s Black Mfolozi River Bridge Project wins the SAICE Best Community-Based Project of 2008 Award
Nov
DHV supports office organizer SAMAS as the first Dutch company to embed CR via ISO 26000
DHV and CKC successfully organize the 9th National Sustainability Congress in the Netherlands
Dec SSI delivers the 4th of 16 schools for the Gauteng Schools and Empowerment Project Dec: Gauteng schools
DHV becomes one of the founding sponsors of ‘ExSer, center for service innovation’ in the Netherlands
Taking Corporate Responsibility >> The demand for energy will grow
Contents An alternative approach to dike reinforcement Helping people help themselves Ottawa favors walking and cycling Clean transport fueled by waste New ecological city in the sea for Tianjin Community building across the Black Mfolozi River 100% runway recycling in Taiwan Green DSM China Campus
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Message from the Board >>Taking Corporate Responsibility Profile Our impact >> In projects and interactions with others Our impact >> In our own operations Stakeholders Our future and challenges CR performance at a glance
Colophon & Quotes
This booklet, the DHV Group Annual Report 2008, and the full Corporate Responsibility Report is available on www.dhv.com
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exponentially, along with the need for food, clean air, and water >> New
An alternative approach to dike reinforcement “Building with nature� is the essence of the
concept developed for the Dutch Directorate for Public Works and Water Management
by DHV, knowledge institute Wageningen IMARES and design-office Alle Hosper.
Cultivating salt marshes on the mudflats side of the Dutch Closure Dike has many advantages over traditional dike heightening, while offering at least the same level of
safety. Salt marshes are vegetation on top of stable mudflats and sandbanks, which are
only submerged during storms and spring
tides. Salt marshes trap sediment, a process that ensures that the salt marshes grow on
their own, accompanying the rising sea level. The concept is quickly implemented, creates a brand new nature area, and does not cost significantly more than traditional dike heightening.
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solutions are called for >> Understanding interdependencies >>
Message from the Board
Taking Corporate Responsibility Over the next decades, the world’s population will increase from six to nine billion. Sea levels are rising, while drought decimates once flourishing regions. Safety and security will be at a premium, and communities all over the world are facing increasingly complex challenges. The demand for energy will grow exponentially, along with the need for food, clean air, and water. More and more, we find that we are exhausting the ability to provide, absorb, and replenish basic needs. These issues call for new solutions. Intense cooperation, significant investments (particularly in R&D) and enormous perseverance are needed. Public and private parties, as well as knowledge institutions, are gaining a better understanding of interdependencies and coming together to improve the health of eco-social systems. Contributing to the sustainable development of our living environment is core to the mission of the DHV Group. Our philosophy “Corporate Responsibility Inside� emphasizes that taking responsibility starts with a conviction inside; looking to our own behavior and finding opportunities within the projects that we execute. In each of these, we learn more about integrating and ways to reduce, adapt, re-use, build capacity, and generate positive impact. This is where we have the greatest influence and where we can help create repeatable successes. This booklet shares an overview of our progress toward a deeper and more structured approach to Corporate Responsibility, and features a number of projects that
incorporate sustainability principles. More information is available in our Annual Report and on our website. We seek opportunities for added value in our business, partnerships and internal processes, and recognize that the challenges ahead will require making step changes together with others. We invite your feedback on our activities and look forward to new partnerships. Amersfoort, the Netherlands, April 2009 Executive Board Bertrand M. van Ee (President) and Piet W. Besselink (Vice President)
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Sustainable development of our living environment >> Looking to our
Helping people help themselves In May 2006 an earthquake struck Yogyakarta and Central Java, killing over 5,700 people, injuring 60,000, and destroying and damaging thousands of homes. Housing reconstruction
received a high priority. DHV was responsible for the overall project management of this
reconstruction project. The approach was to help people help themselves. Beneficiaries had to organize themselves in community
groups, which were provided with designs
for earthquake-resistant houses and training in construction methods. Donor money was
transferred directly into their bank accounts and they were taught simple book-keeping
methods. By July 2008, the reconstruction of all 15,153 houses was completed. More than
500 field staff assisted the communities with the reconstruction efforts.
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own behavior >> Finding opportunities within the projects >> Learn
Profile The DHV Group is a global provider of consultancy and engineering services in the following markets: • Transportation, including Aviation • Water • Building and Industry • Spatial Planning and Environment
Mission Our mission is to provide multidisciplinary services for the sustainable development of our living environment, in a close relationship with clients, employees, and partners, based on mutual loyalty, while providing a solid return to our shareholders.
We are active worldwide through a network of local offices in Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America.
Key values Our key values are integrity, respect, and freedom. We act with a deep commitment to social responsibility, integrity and accountability. Our activities are characterized by respect for others and the environment. We promote empowerment, coupled with strong personal and professional responsibility. We welcome different perspectives and support freedom of thought and action.
Clients Our major clients are: • Governments • Public Sector and Semi-Government • Industry, Commercial Services, Contractors, and Developers • International Development Agencies
We are an independent company and signatory to the United Nations Global Compact and the Partners Against Corruption Initiative (PACI) of the World Economic Forum.
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by sharing successes and training on sustainability principles >> The
Ottawa favors walking and cycling As part of its overall objective for community
development, the City of Ottawa wants major road corridors to become more livable and functional, with a special emphasis on
sustainable transportation solutions. DHV’s partner Delcan was retained to complete
Ottawa’s “Road Corridor Planning and Design Guidelines”. The study included use of adja-
cent land, boulevard treatments, pedestrian
and cycling facilities, vehicle and bus facilities, signage and other urban design aspects.
The new guidelines encourage people to cycle or walk by re-programming existing right-of-
ways. The guidelines also promote the design of major roads as “Green Streets”, which
incorporate innovative solutions for drainage, surfaces, and landscape interventions to produce sustainable infrastructure.
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challenges ahead will require step changes together with others >>
Our impact >> In projects and interactions with others The DHV Group is active worldwide through a network of local offices. We aim for a positive impact on economies, societies and eco-systems through the services that we provide, by collaborating with others, and in our own operations. In our projects we are more explicitly considering impacts in terms of the 3P’s, people, planet, and profit. This serves as a simple, but effective reminder to look at interdependencies and broader sustainability factors. It is very exciting when the three aspects come together and reinforce each other. Being more explicit about this stimulates creativity, as illustrated by some examples shared in this booklet. For example, the green (bio)gas project entails linking different businesses together, whereby waste or byproducts generate energy (page 8). The community reconstruction in Indonesia successfully put economic control in the hands of intended recipients (page 4). In situ recycling of a runway in Taiwan is a work process change that saves time, money and emissions (page 14). Finally, we are excited about concepts that build with nature. The eco-city in China (page 10) and the concept for reinforcing the Dutch Closure Dike (page 2) strengthen business cases by adding value through natural design. We have developed a simple tool for our project teams to help trigger and capture the potential added value in terms of people, planet and profit. This is part of a wider effort to learn by sharing successes and training on sustainability principles.
In collaboration with others we maintain ongoing relationships to enhance sustainable development. Together with research institutions, we have developed a number of water treatment technologies that are characterized by their low chemical use, small footprint, and low energy use. In order to stimulate collaboration we co-sponsor platforms such as the Dutch National Sustainability Congress, the Green Building Festival in Toronto, and round table discussions on topics such as urban planning. Our philanthropy focuses on “Building Futures�, through education and economic development, and on actions to preserve and restore a healthy planet.
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People, Planet, Profit >> Building with nature >> Building futures >>
Clean transport fueled by waste The production of green gas from sludge and waste has not been profitable yet. DHV is
looking at the possibilities from a different perspective. By thinking creatively about
technologies and processes, DHV is connect-
ing parties in specialty fields and markets in a unique way. The result is the creation
of “smart chains� that produce win-win situations for all parties involved.
In a commission from the Dutch province
of South Holland, DHV orchestrated a chain arrangement whereby four parties began
working together – parties which previously
had little in common: namely, a bus company, a household waste plant, the water board
and a sludge incinerating installation. Goal: making busses run on green gas: a win-win situation for everyone.
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We provide a safe work environment and support development, diversity,
Our impact >> In our own operations People - We provide a safe work environment and support development, diversity and work-life balance. This is anchored in our Global Code of Business Principles, which was updated in 2008. The code is built around our core values of integrity, respect and freedom, and provides the standard to which we hold ourselves worldwide. Based on feedback from our employees, we launched an early career development program and are now addressing additional needs that were identified through a survey among our international leadership group. In order to further stimulate diversity, we have joined the Talent to the Top Charter in the Netherlands which focuses on increasing the percentage of women in top management. We intend to use learning from this to increase overall diversity.
fuel efficiency and the use of public transportation. Material consumption and building related emissions are relatively low, but can be improved. We have sharpened our policy on the required energy efficiency of new offices, and the renovation of our head office in the Netherlands will lower its energy use substantially.
Planet -Travel has the greatest impact on our CO2 footprint. Our approach of Local delivery of world-class solutions is both a challenge and an opportunity. As consultants and engineers, we need to be close to the local situation, but also want to draw on global expertise. We are working to decrease travel through greater use of ICT and by expanding select operations in home countries. However, travel remains part of our business and a point of attention. At a local level, our policies stimulate
Integrity has a direct impact on our profit, as well as economies. We have a zero tolerance policy toward corruption and other forms of improper action. This constrains our ability to work in some areas, but is proving to be increasingly positive in others. We are not only reducing risk, but find that clients are now seeking us out for this reputation. In 2008 we investigated seven reported violations of our Business Integrity Management System, two of these resulted in termination of employment.
Profit - Profit is the oxygen that sustains our company’s health and allows us to invest in our people and innovation. For this reason, we have put a greater emphasis on business basics and risk management. Within our company, ownership and sharing in results are stimulated through a company share plan, profit sharing and variable compensation programs.
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and work-life balance >> Updated Global Code of Business Principles >>
New ecological city in the sea for Tianjin Over the next ten years the population around Tianjin’s import harbor is expected to grow
to 300,000 inhabitants. DHV, together with
Architekten Cie., designed the city’s extension into the sea. The innovative and sustainable
masterplan strikes a balance between living, working and recreation for an island area of
100 km2. Environment Minister Cramer of the
Netherlands visited the land-reclamation site in November 2008. “It is good to see here,”
she said, “that Dutch engineers can convey
their unique expertise in the areas of dikes,
water and land-reclamation to their Chinese counterparts.”
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Integrity, respect, and freedom are our core values >> Profit is oxygen >>
Stakeholders Our stakeholders are public and private sector clients, employees and business partners, investors, governments of countries in which we work, and society at large. They expect clarity, commitment and transparency as a basis, and seek added value from us through innovation and simple implementation. Overall, there is a trend for increased focus on sustainable development among all our stakeholders, albeit with distinct differences between markets and regions. These differences include a greater emphasis on a particular aspect such as the environment or capacity building, the level of integration, and the rigor with which measures are applied. Regional priorities are reflected in our activities. For example, in South Africa SSI aims to allocate 10% of its projects’ budgets to sustainable aspects. Capacity building is high on their agenda. In the Netherlands, DHV is making a plan to become CO2 neutral. Even though most of our clients maintain a long term commitment to sustainable development, the economic crisis is clearly having an impact on priorities. Many are facing dilemmas in balancing short term survival and long term ambitions. They have a greater need for phased implementation, including acceleration of some activities.
Our employees and business partners tend to have a greater than average focus on sustainability, and are driven to find solutions for the long as well as short term. They expect our company to support them in this, to be ahead of the curve on trends and take pride in delivering to a high standard. Our employees expect fair compensation, flexibility and ample opportunity for development. The DHV Group is employee-owned, indirectly through the primary shareholder, the DHV Foundation, and directly through the DHV Group Employee Share Plan. Investment in the company is viewed as a long term commitment to a healthy operation, earned through activities consistent with the company mission.
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Zero tolerance toward corruption >> Travel has the greatest impact on our
Community building across the Black Mfolozi River The Black Mfolozi River bridge project in a
remote area of KwaZulu-Natal earned the Best Community-Based project award from the
South African Institution of Civil Engineers’
Pietermaritzburg branch. A primary and high school are located on one side of the river,
causing some 90 students to cross the river twice a day to get to and from school. Their
lives were regularly put at risk due to frequent flooding and crocodile attacks.
The project used a simple design to maxi-
mize work opportunities for local labor. SSI, a DHV Group company, was responsible for the design review and site supervision. The project team built more than just a bridge,
organizing community outreach initiatives
such as career guidance, skills training, and a
soccer tournament to encourage co-operation between the communities.
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CO2 footprint >> Balancing short term and long term >> Sharper policy
Our future and challenges The future will require even more collaboration within the Group, with clients, and with partners whom we have not even thought about yet. There is still a great deal to learn as a global community and as individuals. The natural disasters of recent years have underscored the magnitude of the challenge and also provide lessons for future development. Corporate Responsibility will continue to move into the main stream and continue to be a moving target. There will be ongoing challenges to determine where to concentrate efforts and a constant reward in finding solutions together. Feedback from our stakeholders indicates that there is alignment between expectations and company mission, but that there is room for improvement in terms of speed, ease and communication. This is going to be particularly important in the current economic situation. It is also a prerequisite for innovation and implementation in a rapidly changing environment.
Our activities in Corporate Responsibility are first steps. Further collaboration will require a higher level of openness from us, as it does from all parties. This will bring dilemmas, for example, in terms of roles, governance, intellectual property and conflicting interests. Dialogue is taking place on many fronts and needs to continue in a manner that builds trust. Sharing in times of scarcity will test us all. Ultimately, a sustainable living environment means that people are able to continue to evolve without overtaxing the carrying capacity of our environment and societies. This is central to our mission and a driving force behind our passion.
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on the required energy efficiency of new offices >> Feedback from our
100% runway recycling in Taiwan NACO is designing and managing the major airside upgrade at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. The project includes the
rehabilitation of 1.2 million m2 of concrete
pavement and the construction of 1 million m2
of new pavement to accommodate the
anticipated growth of air traffic, including direct flight connections to China.
This project is a show-case of sustainable pavement rehabilitation, as all existing
pavement material is being recycled on site through a technique called “rubblization�.
This saves more than 700,000 tons of natural resources and significantly reduces carbon dioxide that is normally emitted in the transport of waste and new material.
15 stakeholders >> A higher level of openness >> A sustainable living
CR performance at a glance
Key figures 2008 (2007)
Accomplishments 2008
Targets 2009
Core business and innovation - Investment in R&D: € 17.7 million (€ 16.4 million)
- 3 patents for sustainable products. Piloted new sustainable water technology. - International water technology transfer. - Innovation program launched in South Africa with a high focus on sustainability. - Developed green airports tool box.
- Maintain investment in R&D. Increase number of patents. - Continue technology transfer. - Awards that recognize sustainability.
- Updated Global Code of Business Principles. - Enhanced BIMS with a Project Integrity Risk Indicator and standard wording for client and partner integrity clauses.
- Roll-out Global Code of Business Principles. - External audit of BIMS compliance. - External whistle blower program.
- Revitalized local account management. - Initiated external dialogue on CR policy and performance. - Connected with parties on sustainability, became member of Young LFN, and signatory to the UN Global Compact.
- Further strengthen account management. - Continue CR stakeholder dialogue. - Expand participation with select forums.
- Emphasis on building futures and sustainability as appropriate to the local context. - Education and community involvement adopted by several entities.
- Continue level of investment, especially on education and capacity building.
- Increased structured dialogue with staff. - Performed strategy survey among international leadership group (top 100). - Launched program for Early Career Development. - Improve retention of staff was not achieved, ratio of outflow increased by 2%. - Increased collaboration between global HR managers.
- Continue with small group sessions. - Implement recommendations regarding career development. - Establish HR network and Community of Practice.
- CO2 footprint appears to have decreased, but data have a high percentage of estimation. - Sharpened environmental requirements in procurement and mobility policies.
- Establish target and plan for CO2 reduction. - Continue review of Dutch procurement policy. - Share learning between locations.
- Improved coverage and accuracy of People data. - Individual companies initiated activities based on increased insight.
- Improve accuracy of CR reporting and provide more interim feedback to stimulate action.
Integrity - BIMS (Business Integrity Management System) cases: 7 (10) - none open Partnerships
Communities - Investment in community projects: • € 386,000 (€ 360,000) • Hours community initiatives: 5,770 (2,760) People management - Jobs created: 372 (239) - Staff covered by career development programs: 64% (58%) - Avg. training hours per FTE: 34 (36) - Female workforce: 30% (28%) - LTI cases/200,000 hours: 0.4 (0.7) Our operations - Green electricity: 38% (37%) - Avg. CO2 footprint/FTE: 3,210 kg (3,630 kg) - Avg. paper/FTE: 49 kg (61 kg) Reporting and Transparency - CR Report ranked #19 of 150 and #1 in the services sector by the transparency benchmark of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs.
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Green DSM China Campus The DSM China Campus is one of the first LEED* Gold-certified buildings in China,
incorporating water conservation and energy savings, indoor environmental quality,
renewable and locally available building and
decoration materials, waste management and recycling during construction and daily
operation. DHV was responsible for developing the overall building concept, the “green” design, and overseeing construction and
commissioning activities. The environmentallyfriendly campus houses 600 employees and
uses 30% less energy and 70% less water than conventional buildings. For this project, DHV teamed with de Architekten Cie. and Dutch knowledge center TNO.
* LEED Green Building Rating SystemTM is an international standard for developing highperformance sustainable buildings.
Photo: Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende (L) meets Tim Jeanné, General Manager DHV Shanghai at DSM’s China Campus, 29 October 2008.
Publisher DHV Group P.O. Box 219 3800 AE Amersfoort The Netherlands www.dhv.com Dutch Trade Register DHV Holding B.V. 31021655
At home I try to live in an environmentally friendly manner. In work I try to inspire clients to deal with ecological and landscape values in a positive way and have respect for the values and social-economic perspective of each stakeholder in the area. Theo Klink, Director Water, Ecology and Spatial Development, DHV, the Netherlands
Production, editing, and design DHV, Communications +31 33 4682015 communications@dhv.com
I believe that each project can be carried out with respect for our living environment. We are geared towards using our know-how for sustainable roads, green buildings construction and CO2 management. Marta Podedworna, Specialist Environmental Protection, DHV, Poland
Printing and binding Service Point Nederland Paper FSC Fastprint Gold 120 gr/m2 (exterior 200 gr/m2) Publication date April 2009 Photography cover: DHV, DHV, Victor van Breukelen, SSI, DHV inside: DHV, DHV, DHV, DHV, Ed Seeder Fotografie, DHV, SSI page 2: Lucas Kukler/Bureau Alle Hosper page 4: DHV page 5: Judith van IJken page 6: The Canadian Press/Tom Hanson page 8: Victor van Breukelen page 10: DHV page 12: SSI page 14: NACO page 16: DSM page 17: DHV, DHV, private property, private property, SSI back: DHV This Corporate Responsibility Summary 2008 is also available in Dutch. A copy can be requested by e-mail to communications@dhv.com or call +31 33 4682015. This booklet and the full Corporate Responsibility Report (PDF only) can be downloaded from www.dhv.com/cr-report
As every drop makes an ocean, I contribute to my living environment in simple ways by creating awareness amidst my neighborhood about the importance of using recyclable items, saying no to plastics and encourage usage of products made by poor and mentally challenged children, which in small ways help towards the social, environmental and economic well being of the society and the living environment as a whole. Sumita Akhaury Sahay, Deputy Director Spatial Planning and Urban Development, DHV, India My personal passion for nature drove me to dedicate my career to efficient, sustainable architecture more than 15 years ago; since that time I have tried to be conscious about consuming less and living simply but well. Tom Ponessa, Integration Manager â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sustainable Design, Delcan, Canada
Theo Klink
Marta Podedworna
Sumita Akhaury Sahay
Tom Ponessa
By creating multi-party holistic projects which involve education, poverty alleviation, health and environmental interventions simultaneously, we make the most essential contribution to a sustainable living environment. Pauline Makama, Corporate Social Investment Manager, SSI, South Africa Pauline Makama
Our mission is to provide multidisciplinary services for the sustainable development of our living environment, in a close relationship with clients, employees and partners, based on mutual loyalty, while providing a solid return to our shareholders.
DHV Group P.O. Box 219 3800 AE Amersfoort The Netherlands T +31 33 468 37 00 E info@dhv.com www.dhv.com