Sweden. Skanska Financial Services AB

The 7-year-maturity loan totalling EUR 100 million has been provided for financing Skanska’s investments in office buildings, built according to LEED Platinum and EU GreenBuilding certifications.

The new, green, multi-tenant office buildings which constitute the investment project are located in Helsinki, Finland, and Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo in Sweden.

Skanska is one of the world’s largest companies offering construction-related services and project development, and is the first Nordic construction company to introduce the LEED international environment certification system. All of the company’s new commercial real estate projects, as well as new premises for its own operations will be LEED-certified. 

LEED is an evaluation of a building’s energy savings, water efficiency, improved indoor environment, site location and responsible use of materials. EU GreenBuilding is a programme for energy efficiency in non-residential buildings. To qualify, the energy consumption must be at least 25% lower than the national standard. Skanska aims to receive the highest level of certification for new constructions. These higher standards are attracting more investors, especially in the US, in projects where Skanska is the only contractor.  

Skanska AB aims to receive the LEED Platinum certificate (the highest level) for new constructions, and the different buildings are expected to have an energy demand between 25-40% below national legislation. Both certifications are voluntary activities that go beyond the statutory standards. The design will minimise the use of water with water saving fittings. The indoor materials will be designed to meet higher than statutory environmental and health requirements. There are also criteria for improved air quality.

Skanska AB has a certified Environmental Management System ISO 14001 and Skanska AB also requires that all subcontractors have an Environmental Management System.