PKA Ejendomme was presented with the official certificate from Ecolabel Denmark for the certification of their first two properties. From left are Hans Andersen, ESG Manager at PKA Ejendomme, Henrik Dahl Jeppesen, CEO of PKA Ejendomme, Martin Fabiansen, Director of Ecolabelling Denmark, and Henrik Hougaard, Relations Manager at Ecolabelling Denmark. | Photo: PR / PKA Ejendomme Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
How do you translate ESG from reports and strategy documents to concrete action in real estate operations?
PKA Ejendomme is leading the way as the first player in the Nordics to certify their property operations with the Nordic Swan Ecolabel – proving that sustainability and economic value go hand in hand.
From ESG report to real estate strategy
When one of Denmark’s largest pension funds chooses to organize its entire building operation around the Nordic Swan Ecolabel’s 38 criteria, it’s about more than responsibility. It’s about value creation – both for the residents, operations and the value of the properties themselves.
“We chose the Nordic Swan Ecolabel because it is easy to understand – and to act on. It makes a concrete difference in everyday life and makes sense for both employees and residents – and for the bottom line.”
Hans Andersen, ESG Manager at PKA Ejendomme, explains:
For PKA Ejendomme, the certification means, among other things, that operations have been insourced – with caretakers and management directly in the organization – making the criteria an active part of the business strategy.
Digital structure makes the difference
Certification requires documentation, structure and overview. That’s why PKA Ejendomme has adopted Openframe as the digital backbone for the entire process.
“We started in Excel, but with several buildings it quickly became unmanageable. Openframe has given us the digital backbone we need to scale, which the consultants and Ecolabel Denmark can also work efficiently with,” says Hans Andersen.
Corporate social responsibility as a healthy business
At Ecolabelling Denmark, Head of Public Relations Henrik Hougaard calls PKA’s approach both brave and wise:
“Nordic Swan Ecolabeled operation is a new opportunity to take existing buildings to the next level – not only environmentally, but also structurally and commercially. PKA Ejendomme is a first mover – and has shown how it can be done without creating unnecessary complexity.”
PKA Ejendomme is already in the process of certifying another 20 properties – and eventually the entire portfolio.
“We want to show that responsibility and economic sense can go hand in hand – and that good property management today can also be sustainable and a good investment. We invest for the long term – and the best way to do that is to ensure quality, environmental considerations and efficient operations all in one,” concludes Hans Andersen.
Read more about PKA and the Nordic Swan Ecolabel here!