Aerius calculation
The AERIUS calculation tool is part of the Dutch integrated approach to nitrogen emissions (or PAS, from the Dutch Programmatische Aanpak Stikstof). It is used to calculate the nitrogen deposition on Natura 2000 areas as a result of projects and plans. Pursuant to the Dutch Nature Conservation Act, these calculations are mandatory for permit granting.
BENG (near energy neutral building) standard
This standard sets criteria for the energy performance of a building and expresses this using three indicators: energy demand, primary energy use and share of renewable energy.
BIM (Building Information Model)
A central, digital platform that combines all relevant information during the construction process and which is used by all parties involved to achieve consistent interpretation and to steer the construction process in the right direction. This leads to a digital (3D) model of the structure to be realised.
Biobased materials
These are building materials that are made from animal material or from fungi, plants and bacteria that are ecologically responsibly cultivated, harvested, used and reused.
Civil engineering structures
Bridges, tunnels, locks and viaducts
Climate adaptation
Climate adaptation combats the effects of climate change and could help the Netherlands become resistant to climate change. Adaptation is made possible by setting climate buffers.
Climate neutral
If you are climate neutral, then what you do does not contribute to global warming. This means that as a country, organisation or company, you do not emit greenhouse gases, nor do you remove them from the air.
CO2 budget
The CO₂ budget indicates the maximum level to which the CO₂ content in the atmosphere may rise before it leads to irreversible climate change.
CO₂ credits
A CO₂ credit is a tradable unit that corresponds with the reduction or removal of one tonne of CO₂ equivalent. This allows an organisation to (partly) offset its own CO₂ emissions by investing in projects that reduce or absorb CO₂ emissions
CO₂ emissions
CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions measured over a period of time.
CSRD
Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). The CSRD is a European guideline for sustainability reporting.
Custodians
Financial parties that act as custodians for shares.
DBFMO contract
DBFM stands for Design, Build, Finance and Maintain, a type of contract under which the contractor is responsible for both the design and building of the project, as well as financing and total maintenance. It frequently involves long-term, large infrastructural projects in groundwork, road building and waterway construction (such as roads, locks and bridges) and property development.
De Natuurladder
Heijmans uses ‘de Natuurladder’ (the Nature Ladder), which we helped develop, as a guideline for biodiversity in infrastructural projects. This ladder focuses on a change in culture and behaviour and offers practical steps to strengthen biodiversity and climate adaptation in projects. The Nature Ladder has now been transferred to the Delta Plan for Biodiversity Recovery to be used on a national scale.
Double materiality analysis
This is an analysis to determine which topics are considered relevant for reporting by the stakeholders and due to business activities. It is part of the reporting guidelines (CSRD). Double materiality looks at two angles: impact materiality and financial materiality. A sustainability topic meets the double materiality criterion if it is material from an impact or financial perspective, or both.
Downstream
Downstream refers to groups or products from our value chain. This can be a person, product or activity that takes place later in the process, outside of our operation. An example of this could be a completed motorway, but also a buyer of our homes.
Energy transition
The transition from fossil fuels (such as natural gas, coal and oil) to sustainable energy sources such as wind, solar, biomass and water. Goals and measures to achieve this have been laid down in the Dutch Climate Agreement and are in line with the Paris Climate Accords and the European Green Deal.
ESG
This means that factors such as energy consumption, climate, availability of raw materials, health, safety and good corporate governance are taken into account in the selection and management of shareholdings in companies.
Financial materiality
Indicates the extent to which Heijmans is exposed to risks and opportunities relating to sustainability issues and how these could have a potentially material financial impact on the company.
GO!
An internal safety improvement programme designed to eliminate accidents (‘No accidents’) and improve safety and safety awareness in the organisation.
Greenhouse Gas Protocol
This is a protocol initiated by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and the World Resources Institute, together with a number of NGOs, including the WWF and a number of companies, including Royal Dutch/Shell. The aim is to develop procedures and
instruction manuals for the calculation and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions.
Grid congestion
Grid congestion occurs when more electricity is transmitted over the electricity grid than it can handle. This is also referred to as a traffic jam on the electricity grid.
Heijmans B’woond
Renovation concept for existing/occupied homes targeted at housing corporations and investors.
Heijmans Horizon
Timber-frame homes that Heijmans builds in its own production plant in Heerenveen.
Heijmans Huismerk
This is a concept home with a high level of standardisation, intended for the rental market, commissioned by housing corporations and investors. The production process is largely industrialised. Prefab sections are assembled at the building site.
Heijmans ONE
These are moveable one-person homes for specific target groups that are poorly served in the current housing market, such as starters, people in urgent need of a home and refugees with residence permits.
Heijmans TWO
High-end variant of the Heijmans ONE that complies with the building code for permanent housing, which means it is not mandatory to relocate the home after ten years.
IF figure
The Injury Frequency (IF) index figure is the number of accidents resulting in absenteeism that occur in a particular timeframe, divided by the number of work hours.
Impact materiality
Indicates the extent to which a topic affects people and the environment, both within Heijmans’ own operations and in the upstream and downstream value chain, for example, through Heijmans’ products, services or business relationships.
KPI
Key performance indicators, or KPIs, are variables used to analyse the performance of companies.
LEAP approach
We use the LEAP approach to analyse the topic of biodiversity. The LEAP approach consists of Locate, Evaluate, Assess and Prepare. This allows us to look at suitable measures, monitoring or goals on a location-specific basis.
Machine learning
Machine learning (ML) is a form of artificial intelligence (AI) aimed at building systems that can learn from processed data or use data to improve performance.
Nature-inclusive construction
Nature-inclusive construction is an approach – tailored to the area due to be developed - that combines the design of the construction project with the strengthening of the natural green areas. The aim is to create a healthy, future-proof living environment for both people and
animals.
Newcomers
At Heijmans, we use the term nieuwkomers (newcomers) to refer to people with a recognised refugee status. This can be both primary applicants (refugees with work permits) and following family members..
NL Greenlabel
An independent certification system that assesses the sustainability of products, materials and plants in the construction and green sectors. The label helps people make sustainable choices by providing insight into the ecological impact, biodiversity and circularity of products, projects and areas.
Porthos ruling
Porthos is a collaboration between the Port of Rotterdam, Gasunie and EBN. Porthos is developing a project in which CO2 from the industry in the port of Rotterdam will be transported and stored in empty gas fields under the North Sea. In November 2022, the Council of State issued an interim ruling on Porthos’ use of the statutory construction exemption. This exemption means that no permit is required for nitrogen emissions that occur during project construction. The Council of State ruled that the construction exemption may not be used, as it cannot be ruled out that it could damage nature in Natura 2000 areas. This ruling has major implications for construction, infrastructure and sustainability projects in the Netherlands.
Procurement
Procurement is the process of finding, agreeing on terms and acquiring goods, services or works from external parties.
Procurement spend
Heijmans’ annual spend on suppliers.
Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)
A non-profit organisation that helps companies set and test scientifically based CO₂ reduction targets within a global framework. These targets must be in line with the Paris Climate Agreement in order to limit global warming.
SDGs
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): 17 sustainable development goals with 169 sub-goals, formulated by the United Nations, with the aim of eliminating poverty, inequality and climate change in 2030. The goals constitute an international agenda for governments,
companies, NGOs and knowledge institutes.
SpeakUp system
This is a procedure with a related system to make anonymous reports regarding abuses within the company by telephone or online via a website. Both the procedure and the system run via an external, independent and specialised party that Heijmans has hired for this purpose.
Upstream
Upstream refers to groups of people or products from our value chain. These are activities or processes that take place before they enter our own operation. Examples include the bricks we use to build new homes, but also the supplier who delivers them.
Value creation model
This is a schematic visualisation of how a company creates value for its stakeholders and society as a whole. The model provides insight into capital flows, business model and concrete results as output and the impact and broad-based value that is created for society.
Water balance
The water balance is the ratio between the amount of water entering an area and the amount of water leaving an area. We look at the natural water system, which consists of groundwater, surface water and rainwater. A healthy water balance means that this ratio is in equilibrium, so there are no shortages or surpluses that are harmful to the urban environment, nature, agriculture, industry, drinking water supply, safety or health.
Water quality
In terms of water quality, we look at the suitability of surface water and groundwater for various uses, such as drinking water, water for nature and water for industry. This involves both chemical and biological quality, which differ per location, time and depth.
Water safety
Water safety is about protection against flooding. This is achieved by using flood defences such as dykes and dunes, but also by allowing space for a river. Managing our waterways such as rivers and lakes also safeguards our water safety.
Water use
In terms of water use, we focus on two aspects: the use of drinking water and the use of water for (our) production (food and goods). It is important to consider water flows of different qualities and to realise that the impact of water consumption varies per location.