Focus areas

Professional environmental management creates the foundation to deliver sustainable projects and to manage environmental risks and opportunities. Raising awareness, defining processes and training employees are key tasks for us at HOCHTIEF.

We conserve natural resources and save CO₂

Our company has direct and indirect impacts on sensitive systems which are worthy of protection in our environment. We want to conserve these as best as possible: Consequently, our project teams prepare a customized environmental protection program for every project. In this way, we contribute towards conserving resources and habitats and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions.

The measures we have developed range from using efficient machines and recycling construction materials, right through to fitting innovative technology, such as combined heat and power stations or ice storage technology. Our focus is on certified sustainable buildings and infrastructure projects, which are also characterized by their efficient operation. We have analyzed opportunities and risks for our business, which arise from climate change. This analysis is based on the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).

HOCHTIEF Report on Task Force Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)

PDF (758.0 KB)

HOCHTIEF Group Directive Occupational Safety, Health, Environmental and Climate Protection

PDF (187.5 KB)

We support the goal of the Paris Climate Agreement. We will reach this target in close cooperation with our clients, business partners and suppliers.

Management of water is a material issue for HOCHTIEF. In all of our activities, we seek to responsibly manage and conserve this valuable resource by using water efficiently and sparingly.

We are committed to make a substantial contribution to the conservation of water.

HOCHTIEF Commitment to Water Protection - Position Paper -

PDF (387.2 KB)

Biodiversity is the basis for functioning and stable ecosystems: a rich variety of species is vital to provide food, fresh water and clean air for all living beings. It is our responsibility to protect,  conserve or restore biodiversity.

HOCHTIEF commitment to biodiversity and ecosystems - Position Paper -

PDF (148.6 KB)

HOCHTIEF Group Biodiversity Risk Assessment

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HOCHTIEF Group Biodiversity & Ecosystems Impacts Approach

PDF (567.8 KB)

HOCHTIEF is already very experienced in certified green buildings and infrastructure. We want to be a leading provider of sustainable solutions in the market. Most of our public and private clients will increasingly focus on sustainable projects.

We think holistically and provide high quality
We want to construct sustainably and create lasting structures for tomorrow. To achieve this, foresight is worthwhile right from the first project phase: In processes based on partnership we look for the best long-term solutions for our clients’ projects.

Green building
We have already built a good 1,200 certified green buildings and infrastructure projects on behalf of our clients. They are characterized by a resource-conserving construction method and a particularly efficient operation. HOCHTIEF is regarded as one of the most experienced suppliers in this segment.

Innovation during construction
Innovations make the construction process and the projects more sustainable. Digital processes or methods, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) conserve resources—for instance, if precise time scheduling improves construction site management, delivery times are optimally coordinated with each other and empty runs are avoided.

Blockchain technology, the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence will continue to optimize our processes in future. We are actively shaping this development in our industry.

Circular economy aims to consider the  life-cycle of projects and to close the loop of production and consumption. It stimulates to use materials more efficiently and to avoid the generation of waste.

HOCHTIEF Commitment to Circular Economy - Position Paper –

PDF (509.5 KB)

Health and safety of those that work for us is a top priority for HOCHTIEF.

We aim to be an attractive employer
HOCHTIEF projects are evolving all over the world. Here we are successful thanks to our well-trained and committed employees. Our teams create solutions every day: for the everyday major and minor challenges and beyond the construction sites. They provide their know-how, ensure efficient project work and also take care of the areas surrounding their construction sites.

Occupational safety and health
In particular, we are concerned with the safety and health of our employees and all participants in our projects. Against this background, we have introduced the “Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate” (LTIFR), which designates the frequency of work-related accidents, as a non-financial performance indicator.

HOCHTIEF Group Directive Occupational Safety, Health, Environmental and Climate Protection

PDF (187.5 KB)

We foster a culture of openness and mutual respect at HOCHTIEF—regardless of ethnic origin, nationality, gender, religion, world view, disability, age, or sexual identity.

Strategic personnel work
Accountability, responsibility, integrity and fairness, variety and innovation—all this goes hand in hand. We already promote talents at schools and universities and inspire interest in working at HOCHTIEF. In order to tie employees to our company, we offer them fair remuneration, targeted qualification and promotion. Our further training offers comprise specialized and cross-discipline seminars for all employees, from subjects such as occupational safety and health, via executive staff training and Compliance, through to construction physics and risk management.

Together we create a working environment for motivated and satisfied employees, who identify with HOCHTIEF.

The most important points of the strategic personnel work:

• Recruiting and searching for talents
• Personnel development
• Employee loyal​​​​​​​ty
• Diversity
• Employee rights and
• Occupational safety and health​​​​​​​

HOCHTIEF Group Directive Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment and Anti-Bullying

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HOCHTIEF Commitment to living wage

PDF (158.4 KB)

We promote and maintain a positive atmosphere in which everyone feels valued. We are convinced that a positive work environment improves employee job satisfaction, boosts staff loyalty and morale, and increases productivity.

HOCHTIEF not only makes a significant contribution to society through the construction and design of infrastructure projects, but also through social commitment. Together, we can achieve a great deal through donations, sponsorship and volunteering initiatives.

We promote the local community
In our daily project work, we are in close contact with the people we work with and for. Our self-image is: Wherever we are active and deliver projects, we also assume social responsibility—for example through financial and material donations, knowledge transfer or the personal commitment of our employees. We also engage in countries in which we do not do business.

Overall, our donation and sponsorship activities within the Group focus on two key areas that are of particular importance to the company and our business activities: education and the promotion of young talent and the design and preservation of living spaces. They harmonize particularly well with the culture and strategy of our Group and are in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality Education) and 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Bridges to Prosperity

We have been supporting the NGO Bridges to Prosperity (B2P) for many years. Together, we build pedestrian bridges in remote regions of the world—currently with a focus on Rwanda. As a rule, a HOCHTIEF team travels there to build a bridge together with the inhabitants of the surrounding communities. The new structures enable people to reach schools, markets and hospitals safely and without kilometer-long detours, even during the rainy season.

With our commitment, we also want to improve the infrastructure in regions outside developed markets—and at the same time impart and promote knowledge about building bridges. More than 95,000 people are already benefiting directly from this HOCHTIEF commitment. The projects are also a unique experience for employees, strengthening networking within the Group, loyalty to the company and motivation. The internal recommendation rate for participation in volunteering projects is 100%.

In late 2023, a HOCHTIEF team built the Kukasedurugu Bridge in northern Rwanda. The suspension bridge with a span of 118 meters now allows around 1,600 people from the region to cross the wide river safely.

The positive effects and long-term success of pedestrian bridges are measurable, as analyses show:

Hence, with each bridge construction HOCHTIEF contributes to the overall development of the country.

HOCHTIEF-B2P 2023 Bridge Impact Report

PDF (4.4 MB)

HOCHTIEF Group Directive Social Engagement

PDF (67.3 KB)

We integrate ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) matters into all our operations. Sustainable success will  be part of our remuneration system.

We pursue an ambitious approach to prevent bribery and corruption. We have implemented adequate compliance measures throughout HOCHTIEF to prevent violations of company regulations, and to sensitize employees to these issues.

At HOCHTIEF we take responsibility along the entire supply chain—from procurement of primary materials to the finished construction.  Sustainability will be an integral part of  our supplier management as we integrate environmental, social and governance variables into our procurement processes.

We represent fair, transparent procurement processes
The procurement volume at HOCHTIEF amounts to more than 70 percent of Group work done—it is hence important that the issues of sustainability and transparency are taken into consideration when procuring materials and services. We regard ourselves as responsible for clear awarding processes in supplier management and for procurement of sustainable materials.

We are registered with the Silver status at the international procurement platform EcoVadis, and hence belong to the most sustainable 30 percent of evaluated companies.

HOCHTIEF places high standards on the choice of business partners: We only cooperate with partners who comply with these requirements and who, for their own part, enforce and encourage compliance amongst their own subcontractors and suppliers.

Suppliers and subcontractors can register in the HOCHTIEF supplier portal and have the opportunity to present their company and hence their services and products. By registering, suppliers and subcontractors become part of the HOCHTIEF network. They receive information about bid invitations and can make applications for these if they are interested.

You will find more information on our page for business partners.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the foundation of our modern society. As responsible members of society, we at HOCHTIEF ensure that our Human Rights Corporate Management System is being implemented and is up to date in accordance with all applicable laws.

We encourage long-term investments in sustainable economic activities and projects. By taking environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations into account when making financial decisions,  we promote sustainable development  and innovation.