HOCHTIEF company CPB Contractors, as part of the Gateway WA Alliance, completed the Gateway WA Perth Airport and Freight Access project in 2016 to upgrade one of the state’s busiest transport hubs – delivering it ahead of schedule and below budget. The project team arranged the construction process in such a way that a major portion of the materials could be recycled or reused. The project achieved the second-highest Infrastructure Sustainability rating for a completed infrastructure construction project in Australia and a national 2016 Civil Contractors Federation Earth Award. Photo: CPB Contractors.

Interview with Nikolaus Graf von Matuschka, who is Member of the Executive Board and Labor Director at HOCHTIEF Aktiengesellschaft and also in charge of Corporate Responsibility.

Mr. von Matuschka, what is the significance of sustainability at HOCHTIEF?

Sustainability is part of our guiding principles and thus inf luences all of our economic activities. The spectrum ranges from ethical conduct to fair working conditions to the responsible handling of resources and active contributions to society. This means accepting responsibility and thinking holistically. For us, sustainability is a value driver.

Can you describe that in more detail?

As a construction group, HOCHTIEF creates lasting values: Our buildings and transportation projects are built for the future. They are designed to be wellmanageable, to meet all user requirements, and to conserve resources. We are creating something new while at the same time preserving what already exists, thus also serving future generations. We can only do this, however, as a profitable group with a market-oriented service spectrum that offers attractive jobs and makes economic and social contributions.

What does this mean for sustainability in practice?

Sustainability requires continuous work on a variety of topics. We therefore are constantly reviewing and improving our processes. It is important to ensure that sustainability is measurable. For example, data on the recycling rate (74.3 percent), the lost time injury frequency rate (1.32), or diversity in the Group provide a specific picture of our performance. Our success in these fields is also reflected in the current listings in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and the Carbon Disclosure Product.

Currently, we are working in particular on further improving data quality in terms of transparency and comparability. Current initiatives that contribute to sustainability spectrum from our Energy Efficiency and Innovation Awards to work safety days, health training, and compliance training – a very wide spectrum of approaches. In order to ensure that we keep an eye on the relevant topics of sustainability that are important to HOCHTIEF, we are actively seeking dialog with internal and external stakeholders.

Is sustainability a value in itself?

We are convinced that our financial success is only possible if economics, ecology, and social issues are considered equally – with every project, in every respect. This is the only way to achieve long-term success – and that is HOCHTIEF's goal. Preserving, creating, and increasing value are all directly interrelated.