European industrial real estate market leader Panattoni has become a partner of the Responsible Business Forum (Forum Odpowiedzialnego Biznesu) – the largest organisation in Poland for the promotion of sustainable development. Panattoni has been developing its green construction services for many years, supporting local communities and cooperating with non-governmental organisations. The company is at the forefront of these positive changes in the industrial real estate sector.
Meeting goals and creating a better world. Modern business is undergoing rapid changes. The benchmarks for all this are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by at the UN General Assembly in 2015. In line with these, companies commit to operate with respect for the environment and by taking into account the needs of future generations, through focusing on five main areas: people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership. Panattoni – the European leader in the industrial real estate market – has been making its own contribution to implementing the UN’s goals by focusing on such areas as: clean water and sanitation; clean and sustainable energy; innovation, industry and infrastructure; sustainable cities and communities; responsible consumption and production, climate action; and, last but not least, restoring and maintaining biodiversity.
It was a natural step, therefore, for the company to become a strategic partner of the Responsible Business Forum – the largest organisation in Poland dedicated to supporting and promoting knowledge, education and initiatives in the field of sustainable development.
“The social factor and the stakeholder diversity perspective are extremely important for Panattoni. That is why we are now focusing on partnering with the Responsible Business Forum, which provides an ideal platform for inspiring enterprises to strive towards the sustainable development ideal, through promoting best practices and supporting the provision of the know-how necessary for this. We hope that this is the beginning of a long-term partnership,” says Anita Pietrykowska, the Head of Marketing & Communications Europe at Panattoni.
“Social, environmental and climate challenges as well as the growing expectations of businesses are a clear signal that it is necessary for companies to urgently undertake CSR activities. The success of these initiatives is determined, among other factors, by adopting values and consistently adhering to them, identifying what needs to be done, and an openness towards cooperation. That is why we are pleased that the list of business leaders in this field is growing who, on the one hand, want to extend their knowledge, and on the other to inspire and encourage other companies to intensify their sustainable development efforts. So, it is with delight and added hope that we welcome Panattoni to the FOB’s Partnership Programme,” adds Marzena Strzelczak, the president and general director of the Responsible Business Forum.
The green light for change. Panattoni's activities in the corporate social responsibility field cover many areas and it has been at the forefront of such changes in the industrial real estate sector. It was the first developer in Poland to introduce the BREEAM environmental certification as its standard, initially at the ‘Very Good’ and now at the ‘Excellent’ level, which already covers over 400,000 sqm of the space developed by the company. In Poland, more than 5 million sqm developed by Panattoni has obtained such green certificates, and the company is planning to add another 3.5 million sqm. It is worth emphasising that such certification goes hand-in-hand with reductions in the energy and water consumption of buildings, as well as enhancing the well-being of the people working in them. In addition, Panattoni is confidently heading towards achieving its zero emission goals, by supplying a significant proportion of its portfolio with energy from renewable sources and, increasingly, introducing photovoltaic installations and heat pumps. The company also cares about the biodiversity of its investments and the well-being of those working in the buildings, such as by providing green relaxation zones.
Balance and variety. Creating a friendly environment for those employed in our developments also means multi-level support for Panattoni’s own team, which in Poland alone comprises almost 600 people. The company promotes equal opportunities, respects diversity and does not discriminate according to age, disability or gender, which can be seen in its staffing structure – half of the company’s managerial positions are taken up by women. Panattoni also invests in the well-being and work-life balance of its team – each of its 11 offices in Poland has well-designed offices, while webinars on maintaining the work-life balance are regularly held and benefit platforms are provided. In addition, the company has a strong focus on career development, including through departmental and individual training as well as the co-financing of studies, including language courses. Panattoni’s staff, meanwhile, are also involved in supporting such charities as Unicef and Institut Curie.
A developer that helps on many levels. Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, Panattoni has been supporting medical staff and providing medical facilities with the equipment they need. And with the outbreak of the war across our eastern border, the company has made industrial space freely available to Ukrainian companies, allowing resources to be relocated, and has joined the #Property4Ukraine campaign. This real estate sector initiative involves turning office space into places for refugees to live in. The company also sponsors two football academies – those of BVB im. Łukasza Piszczka and Widzew Łódź.
Another natural aspect of Panattoni’s approach to development is its support of local communities. The developer builds much-needed road infrastructure and pavements in the local area of its projects, while ensuring that public transport stops are provided. In addition to this, it has a policy of planting flora in the locations where it operates. The company also addresses other urgent community needs, such as by funding the renovation of hospital wards and health centres (for example, in Gdańsk), and has provided equipment for a sensory integration room in a primary school in Warcz.
