The idea of sound cities' development, the ‘destinations’ projects, green areas and trees protection, good relations with customers and neighbours, construction sites safety described in the first Sustainability Report of Echo Investment 2020. These issues have also been indicated as the Company's priorities. The report has been compiled following the GRI Standards (CORE).
Echo Investment's 2020 sustainable development report is the Company's first publication of this kind related to ESG goals, management and actions. The document, an in-depth presentation of 2020 results, also describes the Company's key sustainable development projects. The idea of sound cities co-creation is regarded as one of the most important.
“Echo Investment's extensive scale of operations and number of projects result in the Company's significant influence on Poland's most prominent cities' functional aspects. Therefore we make every possible effort to go beyond the projects' business dimension; we strive to include city-forming and appropriate urban-planning aspects. Our business strategy indicates the development of large-scale, multifunctional 'destinations', the places to attract people. This strategy is our involvement in urban sustainable development policies. We counteract cities' sprawl into their suburbs, promote cutting-edge transport, and implement the idea of 15-minute cities. Last but not least, we revive the cities' neglected and run-down areas,” says Nicklas Lindberg, Echo Investment CEO.
Echo Investment puts to use its 25-year experience in Polish cities co-creation to benefit the destinations projects. These coherently and consistently designed investments enhance the city with high-quality public spaces and greenery - the destinations are developed with respect for specific local history, in accordance with the latest global trends in urban planning, including ecology, shared economy, promotion of public transport as well as pedestrian and bicycle passages.
Property development and construction services are inseparable; thus, Echo Investment attaches particular attention to its construction sites safety.
“We have invested considerable effort to ensure that every person working on our construction sites is safe. We make sure that after work, they return home safe and sound to enjoy a peaceful time with their families. Much energy and resources have been invested in maintaining the highest possible safety level. As a result, 2020 delivered an all-time record; the accident rate was 0.91, while among big general contractors it amounted to 2.16. In this respect, our construction sites are ranked among Poland's best. We are also happy to promote and disseminate the knowledge, expertise and experience, to share them with cooperating companies,” says Nicklas Lindberg.
The Sustainability Report marks the launch of Echo Investment's voluntary disclosure of non-financial information. The company decided for that because of its maturity. Also its business partners, contractors, customers, shareholders and other stakeholders have attached an increased importance of corporate social responsibility. The report is to be published annually.
The report-related information
The report compiled in accordance with the GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) standards, the CORE version, and covers Echo Investment's business operations in 2020. The report has not been subject to external verification. The report is planned to be issued annually. Over 70 people have been involved in the report preparation, including an extensive direct-stakeholders group, incl. employees, business partners, stock exchange investors, individual clients, media, industry organisations and local governments' representatives. The Go Responsible consultants supported the report preparation process.
Read the full document here.