Glossary

Adaptive measures	Design and implementation measures that respond to changing circumstances such as climate change, flooding or heat stress.
AERIUS calculation	A calculation tool for calculating the nitrogen deposition on Natura 2000 areas as a result of projects and plans. These calculations are mandatory for permits to be granted pursuant to the applicable regulations.
Asset management	The management, maintenance and optimisation of physical assets such as infrastructure, buildings and installations throughout their lifecycle.
Nearly Energy-Neutral Building (BENG) standard	This standard sets requirements for the energy performance of buildings, expressed using three indicators: energy demand, primary energy use and share of renewable energy.
Biobased materials	Materials that consist, in full or in part, of renewable biological raw materials, such as wood, hemp or wheat straw.
Biodiversity	The diversity of plants, animals and ecosystems, and the relationship between them, in a given area.
Biodiversity measures	Measures aimed at maintaining, strengthening or restoring nature and biodiversity in and around projects.
Biomimicry	A design approach where solutions are inspired by nature's principles and processes, with the aim of achieving more efficient and sustainable designs.
Greenhouse gases	Gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect, such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide.
Circular economy	An economic model in which raw materials and materials are reused for as long as possible and waste is minimised.
CO₂e credits	Tradable units corresponding to the reduction or removal of one tonne of CO₂ equivalent, with which (residual) emissions can be partially offset.
CO₂e emissions	Emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, expressed in CO₂ equivalents over a given period.
CO₂ reduction	The reduction of emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
CSRD	Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. A European directive requiring companies to report on their environmental, social and governance impact.
The Nature Ladder (Natuurladder)	A methodology jointly developed by Heijmans that sets the direction for strengthening biodiversity and climate adaptation within infrastructure projects.
Downstream	The part of the value chain that relates to activities and effects after the company's own operation, such as use, maintenance and end-of-life of completed projects.
Double materiality analysis	An analysis that determines which sustainability topics are material based on their impact on people and the environment and the financial impact on the company.
Sustainability statement	Part of the management report reporting on sustainability, pursuant to the CSRD and ESRS.
Ecosystem services	The benefits people derive from ecosystems, such as water storage, cooling, pollination, food production and biodiversity.
Own operations	The set of activities carried out internally within the value chain over which the organisation has direct control, responsibility and coordination.
Energy-neutral	A situation in which a building or project generates as much energy as it consumes over a year.
Energy transition	The transition from fossil energy sources to sustainable, renewable energy sources.
Emission-free operation	The carrying out of work that does not result in direct greenhouse gas emissions, such as through the use of electrical equipment.
ESG	Environmental, Social & Governance. Environmental, social and governance factors that are taken into account in policy, decision-making and reporting.
ESRS	The mandatory European Sustainability Reporting Standards that companies under the CSRD must follow to report on their ESG impact, risks and opportunities in a structured, complete and comparable manner.
Financial materiality	This indicates the extent to which risks and opportunities in the area of sustainability can have a material financial impact on Heijmans.
Area development	The integral development of an area in which living, work, infrastructure, nature and amenities are designed together.
Integrated reporting	Reporting in which financial and non-financial information is presented in a coherent manner.
Greenhouse Gas Protocol	An international protocol setting out guidelines for calculating and reporting greenhouse gas emissions.
Impact materiality	The positive or negative impact of Heijmans' activities on people, the environment and society.
Interventions	A targeted intervention (adaptation, addition or reorganisation) in the physical and/or social environment, aimed at promoting the physical, mental and social well-being of residents and users in a structural manner.
Climate adaptation	Adapting buildings and infrastructure to the effects of climate change, such as heat, flooding and drought.
Climate mitigation	Mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Long-term value creation	Creating sustainable value for stakeholders in economic, social and environmental terms.
LEAP approach	A biodiversity analysis methodology consisting of four steps: Locate, Evaluate, Assess and Prepare.
Material topic	A topic identified as relevant and significant for reporting based on the materiality analysis.
Nature-inclusive construction	An approach that combines construction projects with strengthening and integrating nature, in line with the characteristics of the area.
Nature-based solutions	Solutions that use natural processes to address challenges in society, such as water storage or climate adaptation.
Net zero	A situation where net greenhouse gas emissions across the entire value chain are zero.
Grid congestion	A lack of capacity on the electricity grid, thereby limiting new connections or expansion.
Non-financial KPIs	Performance indicators related to sustainability, well-being, safety and governance.
Newcomers	At Heijmans, this is the term for people with recognised refugee status, including status holders and family members who follow after.
NL Greenlabel	An independent certification system that assesses the sustainability of products, projects and areas in terms of ecology, biodiversity, circularity and more.
Environmental management	Actively involving and informing stakeholders and the environment in projects to reduce disruption and increase support.
SBTi	Sustainable Development Goals: Seventeen Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations towards 2030.
Scope 1 emissions	Direct greenhouse gas emissions from own operations, such as fuel consumption of vehicles and equipment.
Scope 2 emissions	Indirect emissions from the consumption of purchased electricity, heat or cooling.
Scope 3 emissions	Other indirect emissions in the value chain, both upstream and downstream.
SDG's	Sustainable Development Goals: Seventeen Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations towards 2030.
Stakeholders	Parties that influence or are affected by Heijmans' activities, such as employees, clients and local residents.
Strategic pillars	The five pillars that guide the strategy 'Together towards 2030': Well-being, Sustainability, Connection, Producibility and Team.
Tier 1	Direct suppliers or partners who supply products or services directly to us. They have a direct contractual relationship with our organisation.
Tier 2	Suppliers or partners who supply products or services to our Tier 1 partners. They are one step further down the value chain and have no direct relationship with our company.
Tier 3	Suppliers or partners who supply products or raw materials to Tier 2 partners. These are parties that are even further down the value chain and indirectly contribute to our products or services.
Upstream	The part of the value chain that relates to activities and parties before our own operation, such as the extraction of raw materials and suppliers.
Value chain	All activities from the extraction of raw materials to the use and end of life of products and projects.
Value creation model	A model that provides insight into how Heijmans creates value in the short, medium and long term.
Well-being	The extent to which the living environment contributes to users' physical, mental and social well-being.
Due diligence	The process of identifying, preventing and mitigating risks and impacts on people and the environment.