Social responsibility

A CSR policy based on a thorough analysis

We had a stakeholder analysis executed to properly underpin our CSR policy. This stakeholder analysis was based on the criteria of ISO 26000, an international standard that focuses on corporate social responsibility.

Ballast Nedam embraces the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) underpinning our CSR strategy and KPIs. Ballast Nedam also conforms to the World Bank’s IFC Environmental and Social Performance Standards. Among other things, the policy is geared towards lowering emissions and reducing our use of primary raw materials to realise our projects.

Our main motivation is to contribute to good health and well-being (SDG 3), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12) and industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG9). Furthermore, with these goals we want to contribute to sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11) and we cannot achieve this without partners (SDG 17).

Good employment practices and social return

Ballast Nedam continuously improves its inclusive, healthy and motivating working environment. Our employees have 23 nationalities, and we strive to welcome an increasing number of women to our teams. Creating opportunities for new and diverse talent and facilitating the workforce's productivity and employability is pivotal to our company's ongoing success. 

On De Groene Loper (The Green Avenue) project in Maastricht, 4,700 working hours were completed via Social Return. In the urban development of Hart van Zuid Rotterdam (Heart of the South), a social program is an important part of the project. We involve the environment, stimulate craftsmanship in the neighbourhood and apply no less than € 4 million in Social Return hours by creating (temporary) jobs and internships for young people. In close consultation with the local community, the area development should lead to an improved living environment and its own identity: a 'Hart van Zuid' that everyone is proud of and to which as many residents as possible have contributed.

Integrity is always a primary concern

Honesty, transparency and integrity are guiding principles for Ballast Nedam in its operations, processes and communication. We are committed to the values, vision and mission set out in the Code of Conduct ‘BenWijzer’ and our subcodes.

Responsibility for central control of compliance- and integrity-related matters has been assigned to our Chief Compliance Officer, who reports directly to the Board of Management, Supervisory Board and Audit Committee. At a decentralised level, the compliance officers working within our divisions and on our projects are assigned to create awareness and practical implementation and application of our policy.

→ Code of conduct and other Corporate Governance documents

Sustainable and responsible

Sustainability is a crucial part of our work. We owe it to our clients and future generations to focus on this theme. That is why we are committed to the ambitious goal of reducing energy consumption in the built environment by two-thirds by 2040. We are also working on an energy-neutral construction site. In addition, we are ISO 14001 certified: a high international standard for our environmental management systems.

→ More about sustainability at Ballast Nedam

Community Engagement Management is a key ingredient

The A9 Gaasperdammertunnel is located in one of the busiest areas of Amsterdam. And we are building the CoolTower in the middle of Rotterdam. A building site is not a world in itself but rather part of society. We feel that every building site should be a good neighbour. That is why we limit inconvenience as much as possible.

Many of our projects are built in accordance with the Bewuste Bouwers (Conscious Constructors) code of conduct, which means that we treat people and the environment with care. In the social sphere, stakeholder dialogues play an important role, and in the ecological sphere, the general duty of care under the Flora and Fauna Act has a great deal of influence. The result: well-maintained, safe building sites with minimal inconvenience to local residents.