| Democo group

Democo Group has defined a set of strong sustainability values that we deploy across our operations and activities. By putting sustainability first, we will help to improve and restore natural ecosystems and to reduce the impact of human activities on natural resources. Our efforts focus on three pillars: intrinsic value, responsibility and circularity. We look at how we can tailor our business operations to respect the limits of our society and our planet, taking into account the finite nature of raw materials and the CO2 impact of our production processes. We base this on the European Sustainable Development Goals and focus on those areas where we can have the most impact. We are continuously working on and improving these strategic areas of learning.

Intrinsic Value

The construction sector has a crucial societal role in providing places to live, work and relax. However, in terms of sustainability, the sector has a significant impact on the use of natural resources, waste production and power consumption. For this reason, we must incorporate long term sustainability into what we build. Our companies do not want to contribute to a planet that is becoming unliveable. We want to actively participate and contribute, instead of standing by the side lines.

The activities, products and services we offer within our companies have an intrinsically sustainable value. Thanks to our climate- neutral and self-sufficient ambitions, we build with minimal impact and to high standards; we renew and renovate polluting and outdated buildings so that they comply with current standards; we install innovative and sustainable energy and climate control systems that consume less; and we actively engage in urban development to make our towns more sustainable and liveable with more greenery and urban diversity.

Each of our companies analyses the sustainability of its operations, makes ongoing improvements and develops new services tailored to sustainability problems. They also have a crucial role in advising customers on the most sustainable solutions to their problems. Ciril has developed a vision on Future Fit development for cities, Democo has launched Democo Green Desk to streamline its sustainability efforts and is working on Self-Sufficient Construction Sites, our technical services companies have pooled their resources into “The Energy Circle” with the ambition to expediate Belgium’s energy transition by making large, energy-consuming buildings more sustainable, and Deholi is focusing on total renovations of outdated buildings and large offices.

Ciril

Ciril’s intrinsic value is centered around the development of future-fit cities. The Future-Fit Business Benchmark is a methodology that guides companies toward environmentally friendly, socially just, and economically inclusive operations. Ciril has been recognised as a “Future Fit System Changer” and SDG Champion in 2024.

Ciril implements this framework by focusing on three theme’s within the Future-Fit city. (1) The natural and climate-adaptive city emphasizes integrating green spaces and biodiversity to enhance resilience to climate change. (2) The participative and inclusive city encourages community involvement in decision-making, ensuring that developments meet the needs of all residents. (3) The circular and adaptable city promotes material reuse and flexible design, reducing waste and allowing urban spaces to evolve over time. Through these efforts, Ciril actively contributes to creating future-ready cities that prioritize both environmental sustainability and social equity.

Democo

Democo's intrinsic value lies in its role as a construction company that continuously renews the building landscape by renovating and replacing energy-consuming buildings so that they meet current standards for energy efficiency, insulation, and sustainability. Acknowledging that construction is a sector with a significant environmental impact and recognizing the substantial efforts needed to mitigate this, Democo established the Green Desk initiative. This underscores the company's commitment to reducing its ecological footprint through sustainable building practices and innovative solutions.

The Green Desk initiative focuses on reducing the environmental impact of construction projects by minimizing energy and water consumption, utilizing renewable resources, and implementing waste-reduction strategies. Democo places particular emphasis on creating self-sustaining construction sites, with goals to power sites using renewable energy and reduce reliance on external water sources. Their approach involves piloting innovative solutions on small projects and scaling successful initiatives, ensuring the widespread adoption of sustainability throughout their construction processes.

In addition, Democo actively promotes circular building practices, which focus on the reuse and recycling of materials to minimize waste. The company integrates sustainable materials, optimizes energy use, and extends the lifecycle of buildings through intensive renovations, modular design and construction techniques. By continuously measuring and evaluating the ecological footprint of its projects, Democo ensures that sustainability remains a core objective, driving the company’s mission to build for a greener future.

The Energy Circle

Our technical services company “The Energy Circle” has the ambition to expediate Belgium’s energy transition. Their intrinsic sustainable value is making large, energy-consuming buildings more sustainable by offering comprehensive solutions to transform these into sustainable, energy-efficient assets. Their approach includes retrofitting existing structures, which reduces CO2 emissions and operational costs while improving energy performance. By utilizing advanced technologies such as real-time monitoring, data analytics, and IoT, The Energy Circle ensures continuous optimization of energy systems, extending the lifespan of equipment and minimizing downtime.

Their service offering spans across design, renovation, and maintenance, providing fully integrated solutions tailored to each client's needs. The company offers flexible financial models, including energy performance contracts (OEPC), making it easier for businesses to invest in sustainable upgrades without upfront costs. These services help organizations meet their sustainability goals, improve building comfort, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Deholi

Deholi focuses on delivering high-performance interiors with the least amount of energy and waste possible. Through careful selection of materials, Deholi minimizes ecological impact by opting for recycled and sustainable alternatives that reduce emissions and resource use. This holistic approach not only improves the environmental performance of buildings but also enhances their aesthetic and functional quality, showing that sustainability and design excellence can go hand in hand. Deholi does this for new and old buildings alike.

By giving outdated buildings a new lease on life, they extend the lifespan of our built environment. This approach contributes significantly to lowering CO₂ emissions, as renovation generally has a smaller carbon footprint compared to new builds. They are also developing a specific offering for the total renovation of non-residential buildings, to help larger companies, institutions and governments reach the Belgian sustainability goals for non-residential buildings by 2030. By integrating energy-efficient designs, circular materials, and smart climate systems, Deholi ensures reduced energy consumption, lower operational costs, and a more sustainable image.

AEW Security

AEW Security’s activities offer intrinsic sustainability value by focusing on prevention, which reduces the environmental and material impact of damage, theft, and accidents. By preventing incidents such as fires, accidents, and vandalism, AEW Security helps to avoid the need for resource-intensive repairs and replacements. Their state-of-the-art, energy-efficient security systems, including low-power cameras and sensors, ensure minimal environmental impact. Additionally, AEW extends the lifecycle of its equipment by reusing and maintaining materials for temporary security needs, further contributing to sustainable business practices.

Responsibility

We also take responsibility within our operations to reduce our emissions and impact. This includes introducing a management system according to the CO2 performance ladder, making our machinery more sustainable, electrification of our vehicle fleet, sustainable commuting, etc.

We know that we are stronger as a team in which everyone is aware of their responsibilities and takes them seriously. We regularly update all our stakeholders and employees on the progress of our targets and specific steps within each area of our business. Moreover, as a significant player in the sector, we believe we can make a positive difference – both with our own projects and those of our partners and competitors. That is why Democo Group is committed to research and evaluation, and we turn this knowledge into innovative pilot projects that can inspire others.

Circularity

To reduce our impact on natural resource consumption and waste production, we have included circularity as one of our strategic focal points with the ambition to recycle and recover as much as possible within the life cycle of buildings. The principles of circular construction and development offer guidelines for developing and improving the interests of people, nature and the economy in step with each other. This covers decisions throughout a building’s lifecycle (production, use and end-of-life phases), from development to demolition.

All our companies have one or more roles in this cycle, mapping out where materials come from, how they are applied and used, and what options are available afterwards. Wherever possible, we use circularly sourced materials in our projects. Today, an entirely closed cycle without waste is still a very ambitious aim, but it is a clear target.

SDG Ambitions

In alignment with our commitment to shaping a sustainable and inclusive society, our group recognizes its pivotal role in the development of buildings and infrastructure that transcend mere physical spaces to contribute significantly to human well-being and planetary health. We have resolved to actively contribute to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to underscore our dedication to this cause. These goals, established in 2015 as a global blueprint for a more sustainable future by 2030, encompass critical areas such as climate action, gender equality, conservation of nature, and human rights. In 2023, we embarked on a strategic evaluation across our companies to identify specific SDGs where we can make the most impact. Our focus gravitates towards themes like ‘Sustainable Cities and Communities,’ ‘Climate action,’ ‘Responsible Consumption and Production’ and ‘Decent work and economic growth’ – areas where we aim to be more active and distinguish ourselves. We also extend our efforts in our companies and our supply chain on matters such as equality, education, working conditions, safety, and energy.

With each of our companies, including Democo Group, we have set and implemented actions to mitigate the adverse effects of our operations on the environment and society. This includes investments in sustainable construction materials and technologies, reducing waste, and enhancing the energy efficiency of buildings. Moreover, we are committed to fostering better collaboration with communities, including governments, NGOs, and other businesses, by investing in local development projects and working together to create jobs and strengthen local economies. Our ambition is to inspire and lead in sustainable construction and development, making a positive impact on people and society. Through these endeavors, we strive to not only meet but exceed our SDG ambitions, demonstrating our commitment to a sustainable future.

In 2024, Deholi and Ciril have been awarded laureates at the ‘Voka Charter Duurzaam Ondernemen’ (Voka Charter for Sustainable Entrepreneurship) 2024.

Ciril SDG Champion

Ciril has made significant progress toward sustainability through a series of impactful measures aimed at reducing the ecological footprint of its projects. This includes reducing the use of conventional materials, expanding the use of renewable energy, and enhancing biodiversity within developments. These initiatives have been acknowledged with VCDO laureate status, and receiving the SDG Champion designation by the United Nations, reinforcing Ciril's leadership in sustainable development and a testament to the company’s continued drive for environmental and social responsibility.

Deholi SDG Pioneer

Deholi has demonstrated its strong commitment to sustainability through structured initiatives, including training sessions on sustainability, materiality assessments, and stakeholder engagement. Concrete actions have been taken to minimize environmental impact, such as the implementation of innovative solutions in packaging and energy use. The company’s efforts in sustainable practices have been widely recognized, and Deholi has been named a VCDO laureate and receiving the SDG Pioneer label in 2024 by the United Nations, which reflects its ongoing dedication to the Sustainable Development Goals.

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