Urban Partners
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2019, 2023)
Reporting Period: 2019
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Affordable housing
- Assisted living for elderly
- Combating loneliness
- Student housing
- Lowering carbon footprint
- Circular economy
Environmental Achievements
- Completed the world’s first circular commercial scale residential development (Upcycle Studios) with 69% upcycled materials and a 32% reduction in embodied carbon.
- Started construction of Denmark’s first grid-connected commercial rooftop solar system on five logistics properties, projected to generate 240,000 MWh.
- Completed a pioneering medium deep geothermal (2000m) zero emissions heating system at its Koskelonkuja logistics property.
- Became the first Nordic real estate company to become a member of RE100.
Social Achievements
- Completed or were in construction of 5674 units of residential addressing student housing, community-based living, mixed-generation communities, senior housing, and care homes.
- Made first investment in the urban development of Tingbjerg, a socially disadvantaged part of Copenhagen.
Governance Achievements
- Continued investing in strengthening its sustainability management framework and systems.
- Committed to certifying all new developments from 2020 onwards and gradually certifying all standing assets.
- Stepped up ambitions to align with global conventions and reporting standards.
Climate Goals & Targets
- 100% of developments address systemic challenges and have expected long-term use or incorporating design allowing for economically viable conversion to alternative use
- 6.5kg/sqm/yr embodied carbon of new developments
- >30 MW new capacity of onsite renewables
- 30,000 units cumulatively 2019-2025 addressing housing needs of underserved groups or rental that caters to people at or below median income
- 100% of developments (excl. logistics) feature indoor climate or community services beyond regulatory requirements
Environmental Challenges
- Significant first-time production challenges and project-specific limiting preconditions in upcycling projects.
- Upcycle products generally higher priced than benchmark.
- Insufficient consumption data to produce realized figures on a national level.
Mitigation Strategies
- Iterative process with suppliers and partners to optimize processes and design.
- Focus on scaling upcycle solutions to achieve economies of scale and cost competitiveness.
- Continuous strengthening of management systems, tools, and templates for effective sustainability and impact management.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Supplier Code of Conduct
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Opportunities
- On-site renewable energy production
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: UN Global Goals, GRESB, Impact Management Project (IMP), IRIS+
Certifications: DGNB, LEED, BREEAM
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- SDG 3
- SDG 7
- SDG 11
- SDG 12
- SDG 15
- SDG 17
NREP's initiatives contribute to these goals through affordable housing, renewable energy, sustainable building materials, and community development.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Upcycled concrete
- Upcycled windows
- Upcycled bricks
- Upcycled wood products
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate change
- Circular economy
- Business conduct
- Own workforce
- Consumer & end users
- Workers in the value chain
- Affected communities
- Pollution
- Biodiversity & ecosystems
- Water & marine resources
Environmental Achievements
- 44% reduction in market-based operational emissions from 2020 to 2023 (Nrep)
- 99% of new construction (Nrep) below SBTi 1.5°C draft building sector pathway on upfront embodied emissions in 2023
- 100% of Nrep’s own developments approved by Investment Committee in 2023 targeted DGNB, LEED or BREEAM certifications
- Reduced carbon intensity of food in Copenhagen office by 20% from 2021-2023
Social Achievements
- Launched Tingbjerg mentoring programme with 30 Urban Partners employees participating in 2023
- Launched Noli Malmi, supporting local businesses and Atletico Malmi football club
- Continued support for Löparakademin, including CV workshops and volunteering
- Employee Net Promoter Score (eNPS) at 31 in 2023
- 97% of employees feel Urban Partners' long-term goals are meaningful
Governance Achievements
- Updated and rolled out new Supplier Code of Conduct in 2023
- Implemented a robust monitoring system for supplier performance through an external platform
- Became an official signatory to the ILPA Diversity in Action initiative in 2023
- Developed updated ESG Policies, a new DE&I Policy, and commenced establishment of a dedicated Human Rights Policy
Climate Goals & Targets
- Net-zero emissions
- Reach 100% certified new builds within the next 2-3 years (Nrep)
- Achieve significant reduction in operational emissions from existing building stock aligned with Paris Agreement goals
- Submit targets for validation to SBTi in 2024
Environmental Challenges
- Maintaining focus on climate change adaptation
- Strengthening commitment to ethical business practices
- Increasing focus and ability to deliver on transparent and proactive ESG reporting
- Addressing challenges in decarbonising existing building stock (especially residential)
Mitigation Strategies
- Strengthened capabilities to assess asset-level exposure and vulnerability to physical climate risks
- Improved processes for planning and executing mitigating adaptation actions
- Updated Supplier Code of Conduct and implemented robust monitoring system
- Developed a robust framework for GHG emissions measurement and target setting based on SBTi Draft Building Sector Guidance
- Strategic plan to align with Science Based Targets for decarbonising existing buildings, including financial benefits analysis
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Supplier Code of Conduct
- ESG clauses in contractual arrangements
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Flooding
- Extreme weather events
Transition Risks
- Regulatory changes
- Market shifts
Opportunities
- Decarbonisation of real estate assets
- Development of energy-efficient products
- Investment in brown-to-green asset transformations
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GHG Protocol, PCAF, CRREM, SBTi, EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRSs), LEED, BREEAM, DGNB, WELL
Certifications: LEED Gold, BREEAM Very Good, DGNB Gold, WELL v2 Platinum
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- 3.9
- 7.2
- 7.3
- 11
- 11.3
- 12.2
- 12.6
- 13
- 13.1
Initiatives contribute to these goals through various measures such as sustainable building certifications, renewable energy generation and efficiency improvements, community-anchored urban development, life cycle assessments, and climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Bålsta Logistics centre using organic materials
- Residential building in Copenhagen using biogenic materials
- Plushusene intergenerational living concept
Awards & Recognition
- Urban Partners / Nrep nominated for 7 PERE awards, winning Firm of the Year, Nordics and Capital Raise of the Year, Europe
- Nrep won Investor of the Year and Investment of the Year in Eurobuild Awards, Poland
- 2150 won Environmental Finance venture capital firm of the year