Our sustainability strategy is based on compliance with ESG principles in our production and business management processes

Our sustainability strategy is based on compliance with the ESG principles that incorporate environmental, social and governance factors into our production and business management processes. Find out more about our sustainability strategy in this interview with our Sustainability Director Igor Odriozola. 

In terms of environmental sustainability, how do we align our business with the green taxonomy and circular economy principles? 

We design our products and processes to be sustainable from the outset, and we are ISO 14001 certified for environmental management. Circularity is implicit in the design of our systems, minimising both the amount of raw materials required for their manufacture and the generation of waste. We strive to ensure that our products are sustainable throughout their life cycle. To achieve this, we analyse the life cycle of our products and we work and innovate to extend their life span, to make them lighter, to reuse them and to make them recyclable. The scaffolding, shoring and formwork systems we rent to our customers are provided with meticulous logistical processes, maintenance and care. By doing so, we increase the intensity of use of our rental fleet, extend the life span of our products, promote their reuse and, when they cannot be reused, we convert them into other products, recycle them or valorise them.

Moreover, we accompany our customers in their sustainable transformation, tailoring ourselves to their needs in this area. For instance, through our products we contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Building Certifications, such as BREEAM and LEED, for their buildings. ULMA’s solutions have recently been included in the Green Building Council’s Construction Materials Platform.                            

What is our decarbonisation strategy?

Our decarbonisation strategy is guided by the achievement of the Net Zero commitment by 2050, as set out in the Paris Agreement. This objective, which requires a substantial reduction in GHG emissions, means defining milestones and concrete actions aimed at getting as close as possible to the goal of climate neutrality. As a result of the work carried out over the last few years to calculate the carbon footprint and the study to reduce the carbon emissions of our activity, we have just passed the verification process of the greenhouse gas inventory in accordance with the requirements established in the ISO 14064-3 standard.

In addition, our FSC and PEFC chain-of-custody certifications certify compliance with the requirements for traceability of forest products to sustainable sources. By doing this, we also contribute to mitigating deforestation and the loss of forest mass, which are the planet’s main natural sinks and are essential for the transformation of carbon into oxygen. This also has a major impact on the sustainability of the planet, both environmentally, economically and socially.

What projects are currently being developed to achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions?

In recent years, we have implemented a number of changes and measures to boost our energy transition to renewable sources. Firstly, we are reducing our electricity consumption through the installation and replacement of lighting systems with LED technology. Measures such as the implementation of energy consumption monitoring systems, the application of residual heat/cold systems, aerothermal air conditioning, the use of more efficient machinery and equipment, as well as the activation of automatic shutdown systems, are decisive in reducing our electricity consumption. Furthermore, actions such as the installation of solar panels at our work centres, the purchase of electricity from renewable sources and the replacement of combustion processes with electricity (we are switching from diesel to electric forklifts or from combustion to hybrid cars) are all contributing to the reduction of our greenhouse gas emissions. These energy-related actions will be complemented by other actions aimed at reducing emissions from the consumption of raw materials, transport, waste, etc.

What aspects of social sustainability do we develop?

We understand social sustainability as an essential part of our organisation: since our very beginning, we have sought to create and maintain a project that lasts over the course of time, capable of adding value to the environment through a long-lasting legacy. We work to reinforce our socio-business project, with the aim of generating attractive working environments that foster professional development and talent. Moreover, we ensure that they are safe and healthy by putting the most stringent processes in place to identify and prevent potential health and safety risks. The creation of a diverse and inclusive work team is another of the reasons why we develop Equality plans. In addition, one of our defining characteristics is the return and investment of the wealth generated by our activity in our social environment.

Another of the strategies that make up our framework for action in terms of social sustainability is our commitment to and adherence to global initiatives such as The United Nations Global Compact for the promotion of corporate sustainability. Through our contribution to the 2030 Agenda adopted by the UN General Assembly, ULMA is part of the network of companies committed to implementing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with a 2030 horizon and to promoting responsible supply chains, innovation in sustainable products and services, as well as encouraging practices that contribute to mitigating climate change.

What mechanisms do we have in place to develop sustainable governance practices? 

Transparency is the basis of sustainable governance. We are therefore focusing on improving our sustainability reporting processes, as this is essential to provide our stakeholders with quality information about our environmental, social and economic impacts. In this regard, we are focusing our efforts on adapting to the new reporting requirements set by the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the European Green Taxonomy.

We have developed a number of internal policies and mechanisms to ensure ethical and sustainable governance. The Compliance System is the main instrument that helps us to ensure compliance by means of regular risk identification. Meanwhile, our Code of Ethics is the mechanism that governs the behaviour of all ULMA Construction employees within the scope of its economic activity. It establishes the basic principles of professionalism, integrity and self-control, together with regulatory compliance, non-discrimination and equal opportunities. Furthermore, we are working to extend our sustainability principles and best practices to our supply chain through our Supplier Code of Ethics and Conduct.