Sustainability management
Sustainability as part of YIT's renewed strategy
Sustainability is a significant component of YIT's strategy. The strategy for 2019–2021 is based on the cornerstones of urbanisation, digitalisation and sustainability, which we have identified as the most significant megatrends with respect to our operations. To execute our strategy and enhance our progress, we launched three development programmes: Performance, Customer Focus and Green Growth.
With the Green Growth development programme, we support growth and the development of productivity by applying the principles of sustainable development. Our goal is to identify the current state of our operations, set sustainability targets and enhance our operations through energy efficiency, material efficiency and the circular economy. The programme also aims to create new business in line with the principles of sustainable development.
Read more about YIT's strategy
Our sustainability practices
We guide our sustainability in many ways. You can explore the most important topics below.
Code of ConductCode of Conduct
YIT's Code of Conduct
YIT's mission, vision and values are the foundation of our operations and ways of working. YIT's Code of Conduct are a concrete expression of what compliance with our values means in our work with different stakeholders.
Suspected misconducts investigated without delay
We expect every employee at YIT to report to their immediate superior if they suspect a breach of the company's business principles. In addition, all countries where YIT operates have appointed persons in charge of ethics who escalate the processing of reported misconduct.
For already years we have also been using a reporting channel maintained by a third party, allowing our employees to report confidentially, and, if necessary, anonymously any suspected misconduct. A report can be submitted online or by telephone in 15 languages. Each suspected misconduct will be investigated carefully and without delay, and will lead to appropriate action.
Policies and principlesPolicies and principles
YIT is committed to good corporate governance through compliance with laws and regulations and by implementing best practices. Find more information on YIT's corporate governance here.
Below you can find YIT's policies and principles regarding sustainability, human resources, quality, occupational safety and environment.
Targets and performance indicatorsTargets and performance indicators
A look ahead: Sustainability targets and performance indicators at YIT
Targets guide our operations in the short and long term. Each year, we set targets and KPI’s for each of the material sustainability theme and report on their implementation. In addition, in the autumn of 2019, we set long-term sustainability targets to mitigate climate change. We will also report annually on our progress towards these goals.
YIT's long-term sustainability targets
|
Theme |
Long-term targets |
Key indicator and results |
| CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION | ||
| Emissions | Halving CO2 emissions of own energy consumption and self-developed projects by 2030 | CO2 emissions (t CO2) compared to 2019 |
| Carbon neutrality | Opportunity for carbon neutral use of buildings in self-developed projects | ••• |
| Reporting | Reporting project specific CO2 emissions from 2020 onwards in self-developed projects |
••• |
YIT's sustainability targets for 2019
|
Theme |
Targets 2019 | Key indicator and results |
| 1. CREATING SUSTAINABLE, COMFORTABLE AND SAFE URBAN DEVELOPMENT BY UTILISING OPPORTUNITIES PROVIDED BY THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY | ||
| Circular economy | Defining YIT’s potential for the circular economy and setting objectives Initiating circular economy pilot projects |
••• ••• |
| Sustainable urban development | Extending the key indicators for sustainable urban development | ••• |
| 2. COMPLIANCE WITH GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND PREVENTING CORRUPTION AND THE GREY ECONOMY | ||
| Responsible business principles | Updated YIT Code of Conduct (YIT Code II) online course: coverage 100% of personnel by the end of 2019 | Number of persons who have completed the YIT Code of Conduct online course (percentage of personnel) |
| Fighting corruption and transparent actions | Zero incidents (crimes and misdemeanours) | Number of resolved crimes and misdemeanours Number of control findings made by internal audit and the corrective actions performed |
| 3. OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY | ||
| Preventive indicators | Culture: Work Safety Challenge workshops Smart operating methods: Digitalisation of weekly site assessments and occupational safety observations (YIT Finland Ltd) |
Executive management and 500 delegates from participating countries Deployment of a digital tool (YIT Finland Ltd) in 2019 |
| Reactive indicators | A zero-accident workplace | LTIF <5 (own personnel) |
| 4. PROMOTING THE PERSONNEL’S OCCUPATIONAL WELL-BEING AND COMPETENCE DEVELOPMENT | ||
| Happy people | A positive work atmosphere An excellent path into the industry for students Good supervisory work and investment into HR development A human rights assessment completed in 2019 |
Spirit index for the Voice HR survey: objective > 78% Number of trainees: 1,000 trainees/seasonal employees in 2019 Trainee feedback (recommendation index): > 90% (YIT Finland Ltd) Participation in supervisor trainings: objective 100 supervisors in 2019 Exit rate %: max. 4.5% (rolling review period of 6 months, resignation for personal reasons) Assessment completed and its results factored into annual planning |
| 5. IMPLEMENTING RESPONSIBLE SUBCONTRACTING AND PROCUREMENT | ||
| Audits and harmonising procurement processes | Harmonising auditing policies and processes, implementation of best practices at the new YIT (incl. responsibility) Harmonising supplier audits and the implementation of best practices (incl. responsibility) |
Auditing policies and processes have been defined and approved Supplier audits have been harmonised |
| Increasing transparency | Real-time development of supplier monitoring using data analytics as part of responsibility assessments (YIT Finland Ltd) Developing a responsible supply chain: A gap analysis for responsible procurement and a preliminary risk assessment |
A tool has been deployed (YIT Finland Ltd) Completed and the results have been factored into annual planning |
| 6. REDUCING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF YIT’S OWN OPERATIONS | ||
| Energy and material efficiency | Energy and material efficiency: defining operative efficiency/potential for the circular economy in various business functions and setting targets | ••• |
| Carbon calculations | Developing YIT’s energy reporting and CO2 calculation models (Group-level and project level calculation) | ••• |
| Recycling and reuse of materials | Developing YIT’s waste reporting model (YIT Finland Ltd) Increasing the use of recycled asphalt (RAP) |
••• The proportion of recycled asphalt (RAP) 20% out of all asphalt produced in 2021 |
| Reducing the environmental impacts | Certification of YIT Finland Ltd’s business operations in accordance with the ISO 14001 standard | All business operations have been certified (ISO 14001) |
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
To be updated
Value creationValue creation
To be updated
Material themes and materiality assessmentMaterial themes and materiality assessment
The foundation for our sustainability
What are the most significant aspects of sustainability for us? What do our stakeholders expect from us?
We conducted a materiality assessment process to find answers to these questions in collaboration with an independent third party in summer 2018. The questionnaire included 22 sustainability themes and invited the respondents to assess the importance of each team to YIT’s operations and YIT’s impacts on the surrounding society, environment and economy. The survey was met with widespread interest and we received more than 2,000 responses in total. The respondents represented a wide range of stakeholders, including customers, employees, shareholders, investors, partners, municipalities and the public administration.
We analysed the survey results in YIT’s internal workshops and strategy development processes. As a result of our analysis, we chose YIT’s six most
significant sustainable development themes. Our material sustainability themes are also described in our materiality matrix.
YIT’s Group Management Team confirmed and approved the materiality matrix in November 2018. Each year we set targets and performance
indicators for each theme. See current targets below.
The results of the materiality assessment serve as the guideline for our sustainability work.
Material themes
- Creating sustainable, comfortable and safe urban development by utilising opportunities provided by the circular economy.
- Compliance with good corporate governance and preventing corruption and the grey economy.
- Occupational safety.
- Promoting the personnel’s occupational well-being and competence development.
- Implementing responsible subcontracting and procurement.
- Reducing the environmental impacts of YIT’s own operations.
Managing material themesManaging material themes
This is how we manage our material sustainability themes.
Collaboration in society Collaboration in society
Below you can find more information on YIT's collaboration actions.
Stakeholder collaboration
This is how we meet the stakeholders’ expectations.
100+ Good Deeds
Our 100 Good Deeds campaign was a gift to a 100-year-old Finland, however we still continue the good deeds. Through good deeds we share joy around us.
Read more about the 100+ Good Deeds (in Finnish).
Sponsoring
We spread common good via our 100 Good Deeds programme. Read more about our sponsoring practices.
Yards bring people together
The yard area—a place shared by residents—has always been a meeting place for neighbours: generations of them, some who have lived there for a long time and some who have moved there from elsewhere. In recent years, however, yards have lost some of their ability to bring people together.
This is why in the Finland 100 centenary year, we wanted to bring more life to sustainable cities and make yards an environment where everyone feels more at ease. Good planning and construction can assist the creation and development of comfortable, safe neighbourhoods. Pleasant surroundings, hassle-free everyday life, familiar neighbours and a sense of community make people attached to the area in which they live. Those are the environments we want to build also in the future.
More Life in Yards
In the spring 2017, we examined future of increasingly comfortable and functional yard areas with the help of workshops where experts from different fields will be challenged to come up with new ideas and solutions for yards. In addition, we will inspire Finns to take part in our project by means of crowdsourcing.
Read more about the concept and download the available materials here:
The Park of the Future
To celebrate Finland’s centenary year, we donated a park designed together, by applying the ideas of the More Life in Yards Concept. The park in question is Sähköttäjänpuisto in eastern Pasila, recommended by the city of Helsinki as a suitable park for this special project.
You can read more about the park via the link:
